About 40 percent of women reportedly use baby powder or another talc based product as part of their daily feminine hygiene routine. However, new studies have found that the use of talcum powder on the genital area may increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Researchers have found talc powder, which is the main ingredient in Johnson’s Baby Powder, in 75 percent of biopsies of ovarian tumors. This has led some researchers to determine that genital use of talc products should be classified as a “possible carcinogen.”

Women filing baby powder cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, the top manufacturer of talcum powder products including Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, are suing for failure to warn of the increased cancer risks linked to using their products.

Many plaintiffs allege that Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products are marketed and designed to be used daily on the genital area. For example, Shower to Shower talcum powder is advertised as “just a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.” While Johnson’s Baby Powder is promoted as “clinically proven to be gentle and mild for your baby’s skin.”

Women who have filed baby powder lawsuits claim to feel misled into believing these products were safe for daily genital use. However, recent studies suggest using talcum powder as part of a feminine hygiene routine may increase the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 35 percent.

Ovarian Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed in the United States last year, and about 14,000 women died from the medical condition last year alone.

Ovarian cancer typically remains undetected until its at an advanced stage, but the Mayo Clinic reports there are some ovarian cancer symptoms to watch out for including:

• Discomfort in the pelvis area
• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Weight loss
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• A frequent need to urinate

Baby Powder Cancer Studies

Baby powder and its potential link to ovarian cancer has been studied for decades. In 1971, British researchers analyzed the biopsies of 13 ovarian tumors and found that talc particles were in 10 of them.

In the decades since, some talcum powder studies have found an increased ovarian cancer risk by 35 percent. However there have been other baby powder studies that indicate the increased risk is much greater, closer to 92 percent.

Medical experts believe that the reason baby powder can cause ovarian cancer is that talc can travel from the vagina to the ovaries, causing the build-up of talc particles that can lead to cancer.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

About 700 baby powder cancer lawsuits have been filed against talc powder manufacturers so far. The majority of them are filed in New Jersey, which is where Johnson & Johnson is headquartered. 

In general, plaintiffs filing baby powder lawsuits claim that the talcum powder products were marketed for daily use, and even deemed safe enough for infants so it was unlikely that they should suspect the products contained any serious health risks.

A recent baby powder cancer trial found the defendant Johnson & Johnson guilty for failing to warn of ovarian cancer risks. The jury awarded no financial compensation to the plaintiff but for the hundreds of other women who have filed similar allegations against the baby powder manufacturer, this verdict was considered a victory.

Those who have filed a baby powder lawsuit either as an individual or by joining a baby powder class action lawsuit are seeking financial compensation for medical expenses as well as for the pain and suffering they have endured by developing ovarian cancer.