An Oklahoma talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for feminine hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Growing numbers of lawsuit filings are alleging a link between the product and ovarian cancer. In some cases, women who have developed ovarian cancer used talcum powder for decades as part of their regular personal care routine. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of an Oklahoma talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma talcum powder lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Talc Powder Facts
The American Cancer Society states that asbestos can be found in talc within its natural form. When it is inhaled, the substance can increase a person’s chance of developing lung cancer, especially those whose job is to mine it. In the 1970s steps were taken to remove the asbestos from talc.
Talcum powder is commonly used in consumer products because it has a reputation for preventing rashes and absorbing unwanted moisture. It is found in several products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, aspirin, makeup and feminine hygiene.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is defined as the development of tumors on a woman’s ovaries, according to the Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma. Since this disease causes few symptoms early on, many women don’t realize they are sick until their cancer has reached advanced stages. Common symptoms include:
- Backache
- Fatigue
- Loss of weight and appetite
- Irregular bleeding
- Pelvic pain and cramping
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Painful urination
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Gas, nausea or bloating
These symptoms often indicate other medical issues, meaning ovarian cancer can be easily overlooked. The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund lists the 5-year survival rates as follows, varying within the range depending on type:
- Stage I: 80%-94%
- Stage II: 57%-76%
- Stage III: 34%-45%
- Stage IV: 18%
Once women are diagnosed with this condition, treatment usually involves a surgical procedure to remove tissues, or the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Chemotherapy may also be prescribed, depending on the stage of cancer the woman is in.
Linking Talc to Ovarian Cancer
The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that in 1971, the first ovarian cancer patients were studied and scientists found that their ovarian tissues contained talc particles. They realized that these particles can cause inflammation and contribute to ovarian cancer cell growth. At that time, asbestos had not yet been removed from talc and so it was thought originally that the cancer was asbestos-related.
However, studies conducted years later showed that it was not the asbestos, which was the problem, but the talc itself. Some theorize that over consistent use in the vaginal area, particles of the powder eventually make their way to the ovaries by traveling up the fallopian tubes. Once there, they began to irritate the surrounding tissue.
Various researchers came to different conclusions, but a 2013 study that was published in a medical journal estimated that the perineal use of products containing talcum powder can increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 20-30 percent. The Ovarian Cancer Action, a charity in the United Kingdom, states that 10 percent of all ovarian cancer cases might be caused by the perineal use of talcum powder.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
In February of 2016, a St. Louis jury awarded the family of a woman $72 million in damages in her case against Johnson & Johnson. The woman had died from the ovarian cancer that she alleged was caused by using talcum powder for many decades. Several pieces of evidence were presented by her attorneys that showed that the manufacturer allegedly knew that there was a potential for risk of ovarian cancer, including a 1997 letter from a toxicologist warning of the connection.
How an Oklahoma Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Can Help
When people suffer from severe side effects from a dangerous or defective product, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and damages. The types of losses that can be recovered include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of an ability to work; and
- Pain and suffering
If a person dies from complications caused by a defective product, family members may be able to recover damages for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of economic support; and
- Loss of companionship
If the conduct of a company in manufacturing and selling a product is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future.
Affected women and their families are encouraged to seek the advice of an Oklahoma talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or 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.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma today.
