Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer Link
A potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer has reportedly been known about since approximately 1960. More attention is being paid to this connection in recent years as medical professionals advise women to avoid talcum products for their feminine hygiene needs. Groups such as the American Cancer Society and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (a part of the World Health Organization) have identified the use of talc powder on the genitals as a “possible carcinogen”.
The link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer is gaining greater recognition because of a study published in the Cancer Prevention Research medical journal in June 2013. That study claimed the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer may increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 20%-30%.
These links are far from new. In 1961, the revelation that carbon particles similar to those found in talc could, in fact, migrate from a woman’s genitals to the ovaries. This finding was published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility. A study published in 1968 indicated almost a fifth of talc was composed of fibrous content similar to the structure of asbestos. This material could lead to complications for a woman’s reproductive health.
Approximately two-dozen studies have been published since 1960 demonstrating the relationship between talcum powder and ovarian cancer yet there are still no manufacturer warnings. Johnson & Johnson, as well as other talc-based product manufacturers, are starting to come under fire by attorneys filing legal actions relating talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Similar legal action is also occurring in California in regards to Baby Powder products.
A notable trial took place in October of 2013 in a South Dakota courtroom. A jury found that there was sufficient evidence to link Johnson & Johnson Shower-to-Shower body powder to the ovarian cancer of a 56 year old woman who had used the product for decades. Daniel Cramer of Harvard University testified that he had been studying the connection for nearly 30 years with the suggestion that it may be responsible for as many as 10,000 cases of ovarian cancer a year.
Do You Need Legal Counsel?
Cases like this are a prime example of the need for legal representation if a person feels they have been harmed by a product. There is a well documented trail leading all the way back to 1960 that there may have been problems with these products that were never acknowledged by their manufacturer. The public places their trust in government bodies and manufacturers to ensure that products are safe for use. If there are risks, then they need to be acknowledged, studied, and warnings disclosed appropriately.
Now is a good time to arrange for a consultation with Attorney Group if you or a loved one has been negatively affected by talc-based products. Lawsuits have been filed in multiple states and it is possible that more women harmed by these products will come forward as awareness grows. Contact Attorney Group today for a free, no obligation consultation. We can provide insight and help answer questions about these lawsuits, and connect you with an affiliated attorney if you decide to pursue a claim.
