A Canadian class action lawsuit filed against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson alleging a dangerous link between ovarian cancer and talcum powderthat patients aren’t adequately warned about has been authorized. This lawsuit is similar to a slew of talcum powder lawsuits like it filed in the U.S.

This class action was filed by patients who claim that they have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and talcum powder is responsible for their injuries. According to the lawsuit, the use of talcum powder like Johnson & Johnson’s popular Shower to Shower products can cause a heightened risk of ovarian cancer. The lawsuits cite medical studies to back up this claim.

These plaintiffs and others involved in talcum powder litigation allege that the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes (in the genital area) led to diagnosis with ovarian cancer. This use of talcum powder is quite common, and baby powder products have been advertised for this purpose to generations of women. Plaintiffs hope to recover compensation for their injuries.

Ovarian Cancer and Talcum Powder Link

Some baby powder products are (or used to be) based off of a substance known as talc. However, studies have linked ovarian cancer and talcum powder. Furthermore, the use of talcum-based powders—including Johnson & Johnson’s popular Shower to Shower—in the genital area has been linked with an increased risk of ovarian cancer diagnosis.

While Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products have been a popular option for decades, and were advertised and used as a feminine hygiene product, an ever-growing pile of litigation claims that using the product in this manner may put women in danger of developing ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth highest ranking in cancer deaths among women, affecting mainly older women, and is difficult to detect early on. This means it is often diagnosed after it has reached its later and more dangerous stages.

Filing a Baby Powder Lawsuit

Lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to give adequate warning about the risk of ovarian cancer linked with its baby powder products, and even misrepresented the safety of the products in its advertising, despite knowledge of the connection between ovarian cancer and talcum powder.

Johnson & Johnson maintains that it is not liable for ovarian cancer injuries after baby powder use, but juries have sided more often with the plaintiffs in these lawsuits. So far, jurors have ordered the pharmaceutical giant to pay more than $600 million to injured plaintiffs and their families.

If you or someone you love has used baby powder as part of a regular feminine hygiene routine, and have since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by ovarian cancer, and cannot bring a loved one back to life, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.