Talcum powder has been found to cause ovarian cancer when used by women for feminine hygiene.

One expert estimates that roughly 10,000 women each year develop ovarian cancer as a result of using baby powder or body powder.

The talcum powder ovarian cancer riskhas been documented through numerous studies dating to 1982.

When talc products, such as baby powder, are applied to the genital area talc particles can travel through the female reproductive system to the ovaries. Talc particles may remain in the ovaries for many years, causing inflammation and creating an environment conducive to the growth of cancer cells.

Although talc has been a staple of cosmetic products for hundreds, if not thousands of years, several research studies have found strong connections between the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes and the development of ovarian cancer.

According to a recent Harvard study, women who use talcum powder in the genital or perineal region could be at a 41% higher risk for developing ovarian cancer.

“As many as 10,000 women develop ovarian cancer each year as a result of baby powder use,” says Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Daniel Cramer. Ovarian cancer is a serious disease, anticipated to result in more than 14,000 deaths annually, in the United States.

Another talcum powder risks study from 1971 found that 75% of all ovarian tumors actually contained talc.

Additionally, a 2013 study in the Cancer Prevention research journal examined data for roughly 2,000 women with a history of using talcum powder for genital hygiene. The research revealed that women using talc in this way were likely to have a 20%-30% increase in their risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who did not make similar use of such products.

Facts About Talcum Powder

Talcum powder is derived from talc, a mineral comprised mostly of silicon, magnesium, and oxygen. When rendered in powder form, it works to absorb excess moisture, reduces friction, and successfully keeps skin rashes at bay. Many cosmetic products incorporate talcum powder in their formulations, including baby powders, facial powders, and products used for feminine hygiene purposes.

The last of these uses has been of greatest concern to safety advocates, as research has supported the proposition that a surprisingly large number of women may have developed cases of ovarian cancer due to talcum powder use, when talc made its way to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus.

Despite evidence presented by scientific studies linking perineal talcum powder dusting to ovarian cancer, talc is an unregulated substance in the U.S. Elsewhere, however, ovarian cancer warnings have been issued about the risk of cancer associated with talcum powder.

At times, even executives from the cosmetics industry have admitted there is scientific evidence behind the baby powder cancer link.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson, a major manufacturer of talc-based baby powder and body powder, has been accused of failing to warn consumers of the risks of talcum powder. The first baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit was brought, and won, against Johnson & Johnson in federal court in 2013.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after regularly using talc-based baby powder, you may be entitled to compensation.