Johnson & Johnson is facing serious product liability allegations in a recently filed ovarian cancer lawsuit from a woman from South Carolina. In her ovarian cancer lawsuit, the woman alleges she had developed the deadly disease as a result of using the company’s talcum powder products on a regular basis.

Plaintiff Melissa J. opted to file this ovarian cancer lawsuit after discovering there were numerous studies linking ovarian cancer to talcum powder use. Like millions of consumers in the United States, Melissa says she had used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower powders on a regular basis and for typical uses described in advertisements.

For decades, Johnson & Johnson has advertised its talcum powder products as safe to use and encouraged its use for female personal hygiene. This is considered a normal use for talcum powder, which is also used to treat diaper rash and other hygienic needs. In fact, the company even used marketing statements like “a sprinkle a day, keeps the odor away” to further encourage women to use the powder for that purpose, Melissa’s lawsuit says.

Overview of Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit

According to the ovarian cancer lawsuit, Melissa took their marketing advice and used the talcum powder products from the 1960s to 2015.

During all times relevant, Melissa says she applied talcum powder to her body according to the instructions provided on the product’s label. She believes this use caused her to develop ovarian cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2016.

Since her diagnosis, Melissa has had to undergo a number of aggressive treatments for her disease, including a hysterectomy and other surgical procedures. Melissa has been forced to make drastic lifestyle changes due to her diagnosis, and opted to file legal action after discovering the alleged correlation between ovarian cancer and talcum powder.

Studies Link Talc to Ovarian Cancer

The first study to link talcum powder to ovarian cancer was conducted in the early 1970s, with at least 20 different inquiries following.

Each of these studies found similar results, which indicated that women applying talcum powder to their genital area had faced a great likelihood of ovarian cancer. Researchers theorize that when the powder is applied to the genital area, the talc particles can enter the body and travel through the woman’s fallopian tubes and eventually become embedded in the ovaries. After a number of years, the talc particles may eventually fester into cancer cells and quickly spread.

Even though there were a number of studies that reported a dangerous correlation, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the general public, according to Melissa and many other plaintiffs.

In addition, Johnson & Johnson reportedly had the option of using cornstarch in its products instead of talcum powder but had opted not to, even though this would have been safer for consumers.

Melissa states that she would never have used the company’s talcum powder products if she had known the alleged correlation with ovarian cancer. Melissa is filing this ovarian cancer lawsuit seeking multiple damages, including several counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-01368-MDL, in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, Charleston Division.