Many people think of baby powder as one of the safest products that exist. However, evidence has surfaced that this product may be linked to one of the most deadly illnesses: ovarian cancer.

What is Baby Powder?

Baby powder is a product designed to be used as a desiccant and a dry lubricant. As a desiccant, it absorbs moisture, and prevents moisture-related rashes. As a dry lubricant, it can prevent chaffing. However, there are two wildly different formulations of baby powder. One is cornstarch-based, and one is based on talc. The latter is sometimes called talcum powder. Talc is naturally-occurring mineral. Mined talc can be ground up and used to make baby powder or talcum powder. However, talc-based products may carry certain health risks. Talc contains silica, an inorganic mineral that can cause health problems. For example, another silica-based mineral, asbestos, can cause lethal cancers and lung damage. Similarly, it has been alleged that talc-based baby powders can cause cancers and other disorders.

Ovarian Cancer

The ovary is a female organ that produces, then stores human egg cells. Under certain circumstances, various cells of the ovary can begin to “malfunction.” The normal mechanisms that regulate cell division can misfire. If enough goes wrong, these cells can begin to divide uncontrollably, a condition called cancer. Cancer cells out-compete normal, healthy cells for nutrients and damage health tissue as they grow and spread. Under the worst-case scenarios, cancer can spread throughout the body, causing systemic damage.

Since ovarian cancer happens deep in the body, it may not produce symptoms until it has progressed considerably. Additionally, the more common symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and generalized. However, since the ovary is a hormone-producing organ, some ovarian cancer cells produce abnormal hormones, which can cause symptoms like abnormal periods, changes in skin firmness, and mood. Because of these problems, the cancer is rarely diagnosed until it has progressed considerably.

Possible Link: Baby Powder & Ovarian Cancer

Dating back to the 1970s, studies have found circumstantial evidence linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer. One early study found that roughly three-quarters of ovarian tumors had talcum powder lodged in them. This suggested — but did not confirm — that the substance was linked. Doubt remained, since it was unknown how prevalent talcum powder was in human ovaries.

However, more recent studies have suggested a stronger link. Recent studies have found that women who used talcum powder on their genitals had a 24% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than other women.

Baby Powder Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to explore the possibility of legal action against the manufacturers of various baby powders. The baby powder class action lawsuit alleges that despite an awareness of the risks associated with their products, the manufactures continued making talc-based powders, even products designed especially for genital use.