Is Talcum Powder Related to Ovarian Cancer?

Yes, a court showed it believed that it does and awarded 22 women with ovarian cancer $4 billion in punitive damages.

Is talcum powder related to ovarian cancer? In July 2018, the court showed it believed that it does and awarded 22 women with ovarian cancer in a multiple plaintiff mass tort lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson (J&J). The payout was massive: $4 billion in punitive damages and $550 million in compensatory damages. Unfortunately, 6 of the 22 women that filed had died by the time the verdict was read. But J&J is fighting back to appeal the ruling, despite growing research that links talc and ovarian cancer. One victim's attorney, Mark Lanier, has reported that J&J has been slippery with omissions, semantic denials, and refusal to properly test for asbestos in its products for decades (instead, it used its own alternative testing methods).

This isn't J&J's first rodeo when it comes to appealing verdicts against the selling of talc-infused baby powder to the public. In 2015, the Missouri Eastern District Court ruled in favor of 64 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Many people have heard the sad story of one of these women, Jacqueline Fox, who died four months before her case went to trial. A pathologist was able to show that talc had inflamed her ovaries which led to cancer. She had used J&J for over 25 years. The total award in the case was $300 million.  Regardless, the Missouri appeals court ultimately threw out Fox's $72 million dollar award later on with the argument that it was filed in the wrong jurisdiction. Plaintiff attorney, Jim Onder, vehemently disagreed because J&J has a presence at Pharma Tech in Missouri where it packages and distributes its products.

Research Shows How Talcum Powder Is Related To Cancer

Talcum powder, often referred to as baby powder, has been a source of debate for years, but proof that links it to cancer continues to grow in controlled studies. Johnson and Johnson or Gold Bond baby powder are two common brands. It is believed that women put their health at risk when they apply it to their genitals, directly or indirectly, such as on sanitary napkins. In fact, here is an interesting side note: It has also been debated that talcum powder could contribute towards men getting testicular cancer, too. Whatever the case, an acceptable alternative to deal with moisture is a baby powder made with cornstarch.

More Links Between Talc and Cancer:

• At the Fox trial, which included 64 plaintiffs total, an epidemiologist testified that talcum powder causes at least 10 percent of fatal ovarian cancer cases.
• A study by University of Virginia revealed that the risk increased over 40 percent when women applied baby powder to their genital area and 30 percent for others that used baby powder elsewhere.
• Baby powders containing talc have been called "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization.
• Cancer Prevention Research journal determined that talcum powder causes "small-to-moderate increases in risk of most histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer."
• There is a small, but increased risk of "non-mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors" when used on the genitals according to The National Institutes of Health.

Hold Companies Liable

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, particularly ovarian cancer, and if you have been using a talcum-based product for hygiene, then it would be wise to reach out to a personal injury attorney that specializes in cases related to cancer and talc. Also, if a deceased loved one has recently passed away due to ovarian cancer, it could be beneficial to contact an attorney for justice and help with compensation. Oftentimes, these attorneys work with a pathology lab that can examine skin tissue and determine if talc could have been the cause. Unfortunately, despite growing evidence that talcum powder is dangerous to our health, certain companies continue to disregard this information and put people's lives in danger for the sake of profit. By taking a stand against them, you will not only be getting the just compensation that you deserve, but also helping to put a stop to this abuse of trusting consumers. Find a dedicated and qualified lawyer now.