A man has filed a lawsuit after his wife died of ovarian cancer allegedly caused by baby powder use over many years.

Lynda S. allegedly used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower powder on her genital area from approximately 1960 until her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2013. Lynda died of ovarian cancer in 2016. Talc is the main ingredient in both Johnson & Johnson products.

A suggested association between talc and ovarian cancer was found in 1971 when Dr. W.J. Henderson conducted a study. Since then, more than 20 other studies have reported talc increases the risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer when she uses the powder on her genital area.

In 1993, the U.S. National Toxicology Program determined talc was possibly carcinogenic, meaning women could develop ovarian cancer from baby powder.

Plaintiffs say that for years, Johnson & Johnson and its proponents tried to argue that because talc is an inorganic mineral mined from the earth it is often discovered near asbestos, which could be the true cause of cancers. However, the U.S. National Toxicology Program found talc could be a carcinogen even without the presences of asbestos fibers.

Not only does talc allegedly cause an increased risk of ovarian cancer from baby powder, but also talc particles have been found in the center of ovarian cancer tumors.

Increase Risk of Cancer from Baby Powder Covered Up

Researchers approached doctors who oversaw Johnson & Johnson talc products in the early 1980s. These researchers suggested a warning label be placed upon all talc products warning women of the risks of cancer from baby powder.

In 1994, the Cancer Prevention Coalition sent Johnson & Johnson’s CEO a letter “urging him to substitute cornstarch for talcum powder products and to label its products with a warning on cancer risks.”

Plaintiffs claim that Johnson & Johnson continued to market its talcum powders as “clinically proven gentle and mild” and a way for women to prevent odors. Shower to Shower’s jingle said, “A sprinkle a day keeps the odor away.” The women’s after shower powder was touted as safe to use “all over your body.”

No warnings of an increased risk of cancer from baby powder have ever been issued by Johnson & Johnson, according to the cancer from baby powder lawsuit. Instead, the company has continued to promote talcum powders as a safe and effective personal hygiene product.

Rite-Aid Stores Allegedly Collaborated with Johnson & Johnson

Lynda allegedly bought most of her talcum powder products at her local Rite-Aid store, which worked with Johnson & Johnson to market products. According to the cancer from baby powder lawsuit filed by Lynda’s husband, “Johnson & Johnson holds a position on Rite-Aid’s supplier board and regularly attends bi-annual supplier advisor board meetings with Rite-Aid executives to develop marketing strategies and increase sales of consumer products.”

Together, alleges the cancer from baby powder lawsuit, Rite-Aid and Johnson & Johnson created a marketing campaign to increase sales of over-the-counter products that became part of a consumer’s daily habits. Johnson & Johnson provided instructions to Rite-Aid board members in 2009 to help leverage sales of Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, among other products.

According to the cancer from baby powder lawsuit, Rite-Aid “conspired” with Johnson & Johnson to market the talcum powders without properly warning of the risks.

The Cancer from Baby Powder Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-01051-NIQA in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.