Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit

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Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit

If you are a woman and you have used talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes, you are at increased risk for ovarian cancer. The reason for the lawsuit is not just that companies like Johnson and Johnson still sell the products –some of the feminine hygiene specific– to women, but that as of today, they have failed to offer a warning to women, even though they have known this to be true since at least 1982.

Currently, at least one talcum powder lawsuit simply asks for compensation for the money women spent on these products, but future lawsuits could involve the cost of medical care and other personal injury costs associated with ovarian cancer.

Talcum Powder Lawsuits Seek Compensation for Talcum Powder Linked to Ovarian Cancer

Yes there is such a thing as talcum powder ovarian cancer. While the cancer is not something that only happens because of talcum powder, it is becoming increasingly obvious that while all women are at risk for ovarian cancer simply because they have ovaries, those who use talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes are facing a risk that is as much as 92% more than women who don’t use it. Though this isn’t new news, it is something that is currently being addressed with at least one talcum powder lawsuit.

How Does Talcum Powder Cause Ovarian Cancer?

Since talcum powder is used on the external genital areas, many people are wondering how talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer. To understand this, you’ll have to consider how the female body is designed and how it works.

The female body is a self-cleaning machine when it comes to reproductive organs. At the same time, the physical design of the genital region leaves an opportunity for things to enter the reproductive system. When it comes to powders, all you have to do is look at the air around when you put talcum powder in your hand to understand that these small particles can easily make their way inside the female body, where it is warm and moist. Once there, the moisture helps keep the particles trapped in areas like the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

Since the female body is designed to constantly purge only naturally occurring chemicals, there is no reason to assume that it can purge a substance like talcum powder. Then it stays in these areas, and those areas become irritated. Since cancer is really just cells that continuously reproduce at an alarming rate, it’s easy enough for these areas to develop this disease as the skin cells continuously reproduce in an effort to rid themselves of the attached particles.

Is There Enough Evidence for a Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit?

The short answer is yes, there is more than enough evidence for a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. However, that isn’t the worst part. The worst part is that this evidence has been in existence for decades, making a Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit inevitable, always with a question of why there isn’t a warning on the product. The fact is that talcum powder linked to ovarian cancer has been identified since 1971, but the first lawsuit didn’t occur until 2013.

One of the conclusions of that talcum powder cancer lawsuit was that Johnson and Johnson were aware of the risks, but did not see fit to inform consumers of the risks associated with using talcum powder as a feminine hygiene product.

By 2003, there had been more than 20 studies done that demonstrated the link between talcum powder and cancer. In 2003, 16 of those studies were analyzed and it was discovered that the results suggested women have a 33% increase in the potential to have ovarian cancer if they used talcum powder. Further studies suggested that there was a 92% increase in the risk for ovarian cancer if the talcum powder was used as a feminine hygiene product. Yet, the product is still sold and marketed as a feminine hygiene product and no warning has ever been placed on the container.

Signs of Talcum Powder Cancer

Obviously, it would be a good idea to visit a medical professional to learn whether or not you currently have ovarian cancer. One of the problems with this type of cancer is that women undergo so many changes in their bodies because of their reproductive system that they may not notice the signs that are related to talc ovarian cancer. Visit your medical professional and discuss your use of talcum powder as a feminine hygiene product. Be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you experience any of the signs listed below.

Unusual vaginal bleeding (vaginal bleeding outside or in excess of your normal menses)
Abnormal discharge or discharge that is unusual in its consistency, scent, or amount
Pain in the pelvic or abdominal area
Pressure on the abdominal area
Change in bowel movements
Pain in your lower back
Decreased appetite
Feelings of being “full” or bloated

Many of these signs can be related to other things, but it is a good idea to have them looked at so that the problem can be addressed whether it is because talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer or not.

Consumer Action

The first thing that consumers can do is to stop using products like Shower to Shower, a product designed and marketed by Johnson and Johnson for the sole purpose of offering talcum powder as a feminine hygiene product.

The next step would be to calculate how long you have been using this product, or using talcum powder as a feminine hygiene product in general. Estimate how much you use a month or year, and then estimate how long you have been using the product for this purpose. Then, contact a lawyer who is working on a Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit to learn what your next steps should be.

Personal injury and civil justice attorney, Brooks Cutter is a leading advocate for consumer justice and protecting the rights of the severely injured.

Located at 401 Watt Avenue #100 Sacramento, CA 95864