Lawsuits Filed Over Link Between Talcum Powder and Cancer
As consumers, we rely upon many common household products to enhance the quality of our lives, and assume these products will be safe. Talcum powder, used for years to prevent irritation and keep the skin dry, is one such product. Talcum powder contains unique properties that, unlike other products, are best able to reduce friction by absorbing excess moisture on the body. However, many people are unaware that talcum powder may be a dangerous carcinogen and has been linked to ovarian cancer in women using the product for personal hygiene purposes. Talcum powder may also cause pulmonary disease and lung cancer in individuals such as daycare workers or talc miners who inhale the substance on a regular basis.
The Attorney Group for Tennessee provides free, no-obligation consultations to women who believe their ovarian cancer diagnosis was caused by their use of talcum powder. Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee to determine whether you are eligible to file a talcum powder and cancer lawsuit.
What is Talc?
Also known as magnesium silicate, talc is an inorganic material made up of finely ground stone particles. In its natural form, talc may contain asbestos, a mineral which, when ingested or inhaled, may cause a life-threatening condition known as mesothelioma. However, all home-use talcum powder products in the U.S. have been asbestos-free since the early 1970s.
Each year, as many as 10,000 women develop ovarian cancer that could be caused by talc-based products, according to an epidemiologist at the University of Harvard. Additionally, these 10,000 women represent more than 40 percent of all new diagnosed cases of ovarian cancer as the American Cancer Society reports that 22,000 total new diagnoses are made annually.
What is the Talcum Powder and Cancer Link?
Studies have suggested that, when applied to the perineal and genital area, talc particles may potentially travel into the vagina, through the uterus and into the Fallopian tubes. Then, the talcum may move farther and settle into the ovaries, after which the woman may experience pain, irritation and inflammation. Since the particles are not easily broken down, the ovaries may become inflamed in an attempt to get rid of the talc, but this ultimately sets the stage for the development of ovarian cancer, according to experts in the healthcare community.
If you have one or more of the following symptoms of ovarian cancer, contact your physician as soon as possible and consider seeking legal counsel from an attorney to pursue a talcum powder and cancer claim in Tennessee:
- Trouble eating or feeling full
- Inexplicable bloating
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding and/or discharge
- Abdominal and/or pelvic pain
An October 2013 talcum powder and cancer lawsuit verdict was reached in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in favor of the plaintiff. She had allegedly been using a talc-based product for more than three decades and later received an ovarian cancer diagnosis, which she argued was caused by her use of the talcum powder. The plaintiff claims that Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of the product, failed to warn her and other consumers of the link between talcum powder and cancer and neglected to update the product’s warning label to reflect this risk.
What Products Contain Talcum Powder?
While there are a wide variety of products that list talcum powder as an ingredient, the most common include:
- Diaphragms
- Facial powder
- Makeup
- Sanitary napkins
- Tampons
- Condoms
- Feminine washes
- Vaginal deodorants
- Body powders
Contact Attorney Group for Tennessee to Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you used talc powder and you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be eligible to file a talcum powder and cancer lawsuit to seek compensation for your condition. To learn more about your case, contact Attorney Group for Tennessee. We can review your case, help you decide if you wish to pursue a claim, and connect you with an experienced attorney in Tennessee who can file your talcum powder and cancer lawsuit on your behalf. The time to pursue a claim in Tennessee is one year from the date on which the injury occurred, so it is important to act quickly if you feel as though you are eligible to recover damages for your injuries.
