A recent baby powder lawsuit verdict says baby powder caused ovarian cancer, with the jury awarding $72 million to the family of a Missouri woman.

Johnson & Johnson has led the market in talc powder since 1893. Under the name Johnson’s Baby Powder, it has been marketed mainly to women for use on their own skin as well as their infant’s skin.

Johnson’s Baby Powder and sister product Shower-to-Shower has also been marketed to women for use on their genitals to keep the area clean and to mask odors.

For many years, Johnson & Johnson has marketed this as a safe and effective product. However, decades of scientific research suggests that baby powder caused ovarian cancer.

Baby Powder Caused Ovarian Cancer

Even as far back as the 1960s research studies made a strong connection between the use of baby powder and different cancers in women.

In the case of genital use, a 1971 study found that talc particles can travel from the area where the baby powder is applied to the ovaries. Researchers indicate that baby powder caused ovarian cancer when tumors in the ovaries develop as a result of embedded talc particles.

This study found that in 10 out of 13 tumors of women who used baby powder in their genital area had embedded particles from talc powder.

Because baby powder is mined from the ground and contains minerals, those minerals can also cause organ inflammation and scarring.

According to another study done by the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, women who use baby powder or talc powder on a regular basis near their genitalia have a 30% to 60% increased risk of baby powder caused ovarian cancer.

That same study also found that even occasional use of baby powder can increase a woman’s risk of cancer.

The issue in this recent lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson is that allegedly the company knew about the cancer risks for those who used their product, yet continued to market baby powder as safe and sell it anyway.

In this baby powder lawsuit, the jury had to determine that if Johnson & Johnson knew about the cancer risk and still sold it, did they show reckless disregard for human life?

In response to those who have accused Johnson’s Baby Powder as being linked with baby powder caused ovarian cancer, Johnson & Johnson allegedly paid for scientists to produce epidemiology that supported their side.

These allegedly paid for reports said there was no link between their talc powder and baby powder caused ovarian cancer.

If you or someone you love has used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products or a similar product with talc, and have since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be eligible to file a baby powder cancer lawsuit.