Johnson & Johnson faces a woman’s recent ovarian cancer diagnosislawsuit filed in New Jersey federal court alleging that her condition was the result of her use of the company’s baby powder product.

Plaintiff Kelly K. filed the ovarian cancer diagnosis lawsuit joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company.

According to the ovarian cancer diagnosis lawsuit, Kelly is a citizen of Pinedale, Wyo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on May 6, 2014. She says that she began using the talcum based product in 1967 and continued its use through 2017.

The ovarian cancer diagnosis lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including failure to warn, defective manufacturer and design, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and Violation of State Consumer Protection Laws of the State of Wyoming.

Kelly demands a trial by jury.

Overview: Filing an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Lawsuit

There have been thousands of lawsuits filed against J&J claiming that the company’s talcum based baby powder product causes the development of ovarian cancer when used genitally for extensive periods of time.

Talcum powder is a fibrous white powder that is made by heavily refined hydrated magnesium silicate. It has been extensively used due to its ability to reduce friction, absorb moisture, and act as a lubricant. The mineral has been praised for its ability to keep skin dry and for use during infant diaper changes, and when sprinkled on to shoes or underwear. It may also be found in diaphragms and condoms when used as a lubricant. Talcum may be sprinkled on to sanitary pads, underwear, diapers, and applied directly on to the skin.

The company’s baby powder product first debut in 1893. Although it has since its introduction evolved from solely being an effective treatment for minor irritations and baby diaper rash, it has more recently become a way for women to partake in feminine hygiene by inhibiting vaginal odors.

However, the product has been shown to cause in increased risk for ovarian cancer development. This is particularly due to the product’s main ingredient, talc, which has according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), been claimed to be carcinogenic to humans.

According to the agency, “perineal use of talc-based body powder is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).” Accusations against Johnson & Johnson state that the company knew of these risks but failed to provide any warnings.

In fact, since 1971, more than twenty studies have linked the development of ovarian cancer to talc mineral use. One study, conducted as early as 1971, discovered that for women who developed ovarian cancer, talc particles were “deeply embedded” within the ovarian tumors. Because of these developments, thousands of women have filed ovarian cancer diagnosis lawsuits due to their development of ovarian cancer.

The Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Lawsuit is part of MDL No. 2738, in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.