An Arizona talcum powder cancer lawsuit may be an option for people who developed serious complications after using the consumer product. A common element of many cosmetic products is talc; it can be found in facial powders as well as in body powder used to control unwanted odors and moisture. Despite the popularity of talcum powder products, some talcum powders have been associated with increasing the risk of ovarian cancer in women. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file an Arizona talcum powder cancer lawsuit and seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for Arizona today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Arizona talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is made from talc. According to Johnson & Johnson, talc is a mineral that occurs naturally around the world. This ingredient is frequently used in cosmetics, antiperspirants, toothpaste, and certain pharmaceutical products. The talc is mined from the earth and processed into large particles prior to use. Talc does not have an odor or the ability to chemically react. The company also claims that for more than a century, people around the world have used its baby powder products.
Ovarian Cancer
The Mayo Clinic states that ovarian cancer is believed to be caused by a mutation of normal cells. The cancer typically begins in the ovaries, and the mutated cells then spread to surrounding tissue and create tumors. If ovarian cancer is treated in its early stages, there will be a higher chance of survival, but if it is discovered during a later stage, it could potentially be fatal. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer frequently goes unnoticed until it reaches these later stages, so it tends to have a higher fatality rate than other forms of cancer. Three common types of ovarian cancer include:
- Stromal
- Epithelial
- Germ cell
Epithelial tumor ovarian cancer is the most common, and it accounts for roughly 90 percent of ovarian cancer cases. Its name derives from the fact that its tumors tend to form on the thin outer layer of ovarian tissue. To date, researchers have not found the exact cause of ovarian cancer, but the mutated-cell theory is commonly accepted by the medical field.
Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, some studies have indicated that an increased risk of ovarian cancer and the use of talcum powder may be possible when the product is used in the genital or perineal areas of the body.
In a 1997 study, researchers supported by the National Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center suggested an elevated risk of ovarian cancer with any use of talcum powder among women who used powders for perineal dusting, diaphragm storage or on sanitary napkins. Additionally, according to a population-based study conducted between 2002 and 2005, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated perineal exposure to talc as a possible carcinogen in women.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Claims
An Arizona talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney notes that there are currently thousands of cases against makers of talc-based products in existence, but few have resulted in monetary awards. In a landmark Missouri case, however, Johnson & Johnson was found to have withheld information about talc’s potential to cause cancer from its customers. The claim was put forth by the family of a 62-year-old woman who died from ovarian cancer. The family claims that the woman had been an avid user of the company’s baby powder for decades and that the product probably led to her development of cancer. The trial ended with the jury ordering Johnson & Johnson to pay the family over $72 million in damages.
How an Arizona Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Can Help
Product makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a product maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by the fault of others may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for Arizona. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
