Women who use baby powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine may have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to a Cancer Prevention Research study.

Researchers studied thousands of women and found that those who use talcum powder on their genital area had a greater risk of developing certain types of ovarian cancer. 

According to the published study, “genital powder use is a modifiable exposure associated with small-to-moderate increases in risk of most histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer.”

Researchers further noted that women who reported non-genital use of baby powder did not have an increased cancer risk.

Baby Powder Cancer Risks

About 40 percent of American women claim to regularly use a form of talcum powder on their genital area. Many consumers state that some talcum products are marketed for daily use. Women point to Shower to Shower which advertises its adult talcum powder as “a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.”

While other women claim that Johnson’s Baby Powder which is marketed as “clinically proven to be gentle and mild for your baby’s skin,” also points to the safety of the talcum product for if baby powder is safe enough to use on infants, it probably doesn’t contain any serious health risks.

However, researchers from as early as the 1970s have found a possible link between baby powder and ovarian cancer. In a 1971 study published by The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Commonwealth, researchers found that out of 13 biopsied ovarian tumors, 10 contained talc particles embedded deep within them.

Since that time, many studies have focused on the association of baby powder to ovarian cancer.  The American Cancer Society reports that the findings have been mixed and “can be biased because they often rely on a person’s memory of talc use many years earlier.”

However, The American Cancer Society does point to a study that indicates use of talc-based products on the genital area may increase the risk of uterine cancer in women who are past menopause.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

The American Cancer Society reports that ovarian cancer claimed 14,000 lives in the U.S. last year alone. Many women are diagnosed in a later stage, but there are some symptoms to look for.

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

Baby Powder Lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson, who is one of the leading manufacturers of talcum powder continues to stand by their products claiming that research surrounding ovarian cancer and baby powder and baby powder is not conclusive.

In a recent baby powder cancer lawsuit, South Dakota resident Deane B. won her case against Johnson & Johnson as a jury found the manufacturer failed to warn about ovarian cancer risks. This has given hope to hundreds of plaintiffs who have filed baby powder lawsuits of their own.

Nearly 700 baby powder cancer lawsuits have been filed against talc powder manufacturers. Most of the lawsuits are filed in New Jersey which is where Johnson & Johnson is headquartered, they are scheduled to go to trial in early 2016.