Ashley Milano  |  May 5, 2016

Category: Consumer News

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talcum-powder-cancerlawsuitRecent controversy over baby powder has caused many consumers to take action both publicly and legally.

This action has been undertaken in order to bring awareness to the potential dangers and risks of talcum-based baby powder, including ovarian cancer.

One grieving father and attorney, Luvell G. claims that baby powder use directly led to the death of his daughter from ovarian cancer in 2011. Luvell states, “my daughter was 32 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she had used that product for over 20 years.”

Luvell has opted to file a baby powder cancer lawsuit in the hopes of holding Johnson & Johnson accountable for his daughter’s alleged wrongful death.

Not only is he advocating on behalf of his deceased daughter, he has made preparations to file nine other baby powder cancer lawsuits against the company.

“They knew there was an increased risk of using their product because of the talc, but they did nothing about it,” Luvell stated.  “All they had to do was put a warning on the label.”

Luvell also stated that Johnson & Johnson’s alleged disregard for consumer safety, specifically his daughter’s, was one of the reasons he is taking action. “I can’t get her back, but what I can do is attempt to change the way Johnson & Johnson does business.”

Luvell is not the only one who has spoken out against the potential dangers of baby powder.  A Missouri jury recently ruled that Johnson & Johnson must pay $72 million to the family of the late Jacqueline F.

The jury sent a message through this baby powder cancer verdict that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder was responsible for Jacqueline’s death.

What is Talcum Powder?

So with all the controversy surrounding talc-based baby powder, what exactly is talcum powder?

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral found in baby powders as well as other cosmetic and personal care products, and it’s good at absorbing moisture, cutting down on friction, and preventing rashes. Many women use it around their genitals or rectum for feminine hygiene purposes.

The American Cancer Society points out on its website that talc in its natural form may contain asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Baby Powder Cancer Studies

As of now, it remains unclear whether talcum baby powder can directly cause ovarian cancer. The FDA says that literature dating back to the 1960s has suggested a possible association between talc powders and ovarian cancer. But some studies have shown contradicting results.

For example, one 2013 study analyzed nearly 20,000 people and found that those who used any type of powder for genital hygiene were 20% to 30% more likely to have ovarian cancer than those who didn’t use any powder.

However, researchers pointed out a few of the study’s limitations: Participants might have overestimated how often they used these products, and not all powders contain talc—some contain cornstarch instead and there is no evidence linking cornstarch to ovarian cancer.

Then, a 2014 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute looked at data from about 60,000 women and found no link between baby powder use and ovarian cancer.

Yet, researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston cited talcum powder has previously been linked to ovarian cancer, namely in cases where the powder has been applied to the genital region.

Researchers in this study recruited 2,041 women with ovarian cancer and 2,100 without the illness and asked them about their talcum powder use.

They found that applying the product to genitals, underwear, and sanitary napkins increased the risk of developing ovarian cancer risk by a third.

That said, these risks depend on many different factors, including participant’s weight, menopausal hormone use, and smoking habits.

“This is an easily modified risk factor,” Dr. Daniel Cramer, lead author of the study said.

If used repeatedly, talc can get into a woman’s upper genital tract, according to Cramer.  “I’ve done several different case control studies of ovarian cancer . . . all of them have included information on talc, and all of them have found an elevated risk of ovarian cancer associated with talc use.”

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with 20,000 women being diagnosed with the illness each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, baby powder cancer lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Join a Free Baby Powder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you used Johnson’s Baby Powder, Shower to Shower, or another talcum powder product and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may have a legal claim. Family members of loved ones who died of ovarian cancer can also join. Submit your information now for a free case evaluation.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

 

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