Women who feel mislead by the marketing strategies of Johnson & Johnson are suing the talcum powder manufacturer, after recent studies indicate an increased risk of ovarian cancer linked to daily feminine hygiene use of their products.

For decades, talcum powder has been marketed to women in the form of Johnson’s Baby Powder, which is advertised as “clinically proven to be gentle and mild for your baby’s skin,” and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower product, promoted as “just a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.” However, according to recent studies, the talcum powder that many women believed to be safe for daily use has been linked to an increase risk of ovarian cancer by up to 35 percent.

About 700 baby powder cancer lawsuits have been filed against talc powder manufacturers so far; the majority of them are filed in New Jersey, where Johnson & Johnson is headquartered. 

Baby Powder Cancer Risks

Cancer studies since the 1970s have suggested a link between genital use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. According to a British study performed in 1971, talc particles were foudn in 10 out of 13 ovarian tumors biopsied.

In decades since, other baby powder studies have found that women who use talcum powder daily have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer by 35 percent. 

The numbers are alarming, as about 40 percent of American women claim to use a form of talc powder for feminine hygiene as part of their daily beauty ritual. Many filing baby powder cancer lawsuits claim the talcum powder products were marketed for daily use, and even deemed safe enough for infants, so it was unlikely for them to believe the products contained any serious health risks.

Medical experts believe that the reason baby powder can cause ovarian cancer is that talc can travel from the vagina to the ovaries, which causes the build-up of talc particles and eventually leads to cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

An estimated 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are reported each year in the U.S. Talc, which is the main ingredient in Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products, has been found in 75 percent of ovarian tumors. Many researchers believe the products should carry a “possible carcinogen” warning for genital use.

Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage, but medical experts say there are some symptoms to look out for. These baby powder cancer symptoms include:

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

Ovarian cancer claimed 14,000 lives in the U.S. last year alone.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

In a recent baby powder cancer lawsuit, plaintiff Deane B. of South Dakota filed a complaint against Johnson & Johnson and the jury found the manufacturer guilty for failing to warn of ovarian cancer risks. While the jury awarded no financial compensation to the plaintiff, it was still considered a victory for the hundreds of other plaintiffs who have accused the talcum powder manufacturer of similar allegations.

Plaintiffs filing baby powder cancer lawsuits, either as an individual or by joining a baby powder class action lawsuit, are seeking financial compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured after developing ovarian cancer.