An Illinois woman has filed a baby powder cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and numerous other talc powder manufacturers, alleging that after 30 years of using baby powder products for feminine hygiene purposes, she developed ovarian cancer.

Plaintiff Candace L. filed this Johnson and Johnson baby powder cancer lawsuit at the end of March against multiple baby powder manufacturers, namely Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., Imerys Talc America Inc. (Luzenac America Inc.), and Walgreen Co. She lodges allegations against these talc powder manufacturers that go far back as 30 years.

She claims that Johnson and Johnson and the other defendants failed to warn her of the possible ovarian cancer risks associated with using talcum powder products.

According to her baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit, Candace allegedly developed her cancerous condition as a result of using Johnson’s Baby Powder, Shower and Shower talc powder, and other talc based goods on her genitalia, namely the perineum, for hygienic purposes. The Illinois woman claims she continued this practice from 1981 until about 2014.

Candace cites over 20 baby powder ovarian cancer cases linked to talc powder in her baby powder cancer lawsuit and argues that cornstarch could have been used as a safer alternative to the allegedly carcinogenic talc powder.

Furthermore, the Candace claims Johnson & Johnson and other talc powder manufacturers are at fault for marketing their baby powder products as being fresh, clean, and pure. The baby powder cancer lawsuit also alleges that based on companies’ advertisements, female consumers felt compelled to dust their bodies with the talcum powder.

Candace brings forth several claims against Johnson & Johnson and the other defendants, including liability and negligence, breach of warranties, and finally civil conspiracy. This baby powder cancer lawsuit seeks punitive damages for the plaintiff that exceed $50,000 plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

This Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 15-L-409, in Madison County Circuit Court.

History of Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer

In 1893, Johnson & Johnson began manufacturing their well-known Johnson’s Baby Powder, and marketed talc powder product as an effective method for masking odors in the genital area in addition to its use as a skin softener.

However, researchers became concerned with possible talcum powder side effects during the 1960s and began to study the effects of baby powder products on consumers, especially female consumers. This talcum powder research was especially spurred on because of the seemingly in ovarian cancer among female baby powder consumers.

According to more recent research, talc particles tend to migrate from the site of application on the genitals, into a woman’s reproductive system, which then becomes embedded in the ovaries. This baby powder study also revealed that 10-out-of-13 ovarian tumors that were dissected had embedded talc particles, suggesting that talc powder could  increase a woman’s chances of developing ovarian cancer.

Many consumers like Candace have filed baby powder cancer lawsuits on behalf of their deceased loved one who found out too late that their use of baby powder products for female hygiene purposes may have caused their ovarian cancer.