For over 40 years the medical community, has been suspicious that talcum-based baby powder could raise the chances of ovarian cancer. More specifically, if women applied the popular hygiene product to their genital area regularly.

When women do this, the talc particles travel up through their fallopian tubes and embed into their ovaries. After several years of being sedentary, is it alleged that the particles fester and develop into cancer cells and tumors.

At this point in time, it is unclear how serious the risk of baby powder cancer is but women are now being warned away from using the powder in that particular area.

Baby Powder Cancer Studies

The risk of baby powder cancer first became a concern in 1971, when the first study of this potential correlation was published. The study was published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of British Commonwealth, with researchers finding that 10 out 13 ovaries, had hard talc particles embedded deep within. This was the first study that researchers determined talcum powder products may impose a health risk to women.

This study was followed up by numerous other inquiries, spanning four decades, that found similar results, regarding talcum powder use and ovarian cancer. One of the most recent studies conducted was conducted by Harvard in 2010, where researchers found that baby powder cancer was higher in women going through menopause.

Another recent study conducted in 2013, published in Cancer Prevention Research, which showed that women faced an increased risk of baby powder cancer by 20 percent to 30 percent when the product was applied regularly to the genital area.

Baby Powder Cancer Allegations

Despite the increasing amount of scientific evidence, talc mining companies and Johnson & Johnson continue to deny the risks and to market the products without the ovarian cancer warning.

The first talcum baby powder lawsuit brought forth in 2013, where a South Dakota jury determined that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately explain the risk of ovarian cancer from using the talcum powder product.

The baby powder lawsuit was filed by a 56-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006, after using Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower powder daily for decades.  The testimony provided by leading talcum powder expert Dr. Daniel Cramer, estimated that 10,000 cases of ovarian cancer may be caused by talcum powder per year.

During the trial, a Johnson & Johnson attorney admitted that the company was aware of the alleged link but had viewed the risk as too insignificant to mention on the product’s label.

In May 2014 issue, the Courthouse News reported that Johnson & Johnson had been hit with another baby powder lawsuit that turned into a class action lawsuit. Lead plaintiffs Denis M. and Erin H. claim that the company failed to warn them against the risk of baby powder cancer.

Women who may have developed ovarian cancer as a result of talcum-based baby powder products, may be eligible to file their own baby powder cancer lawsuit.