Product liability attorneys are currently looking for potential plaintiffs to bring baby powder cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. These talcum powder lawsuits will likely allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn the general public and the medical community about the possibility of developing ovarian cancer after using their talc based products.

For years, women have been using Johnson & Johnson’s talc based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products for genital hygiene purposes. Many women use these powders to prevent moisture and unwanted smells from developing in the genital region. According to researchers, when the talcum powder is applied to the vaginal region, the tiny talc particles sometimes travel inside the body and cause inflammation. Unfortunately, for many women this inflammation creates an environment that allows cancer cells to flourish.

Medical professionals have found talc particles inside the pelvis and ovaries of several women. Some medical researchers claim that talcum powder has a chemical make-up similar to that of asbestos, a carcinogenic substance known to cause mesothelioma cancer in victims exposed to the asbestos fibers.

Various baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits allege that women who regularly use talc based baby powder products on their genital areas have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to research, using talc based powders in the vaginal area creates a 24 percent increase in the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Numerous plaintiffs of baby powder cancer lawsuits allege Johnson & Johnson was aware of the cancer risks associated with using their talc-based products for genital hygiene purposes, but failed to disclose these risks to consumers.

Overview of Ovarian Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimated that 21,980 women would be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014 and over 14,000 women died from the disease. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed when malignant or cancerous cells are found in a woman’s ovaries. According to the National Cancer Institute, many cases of ovarian cancer are not discovered until the disease has already reached stage 3, meaning the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries and pelvis. A lack in symptoms during the cancer’s early stages is thought to be the reason for so many late ovarian cancer discoveries.

Most women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer between the ages of 35 and 54. Like many different types of cancer, patients tend to have high survival rates when caught early; however, due to late detection, the 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is only 45 percent. Medical professionals suggest that women diagnosed with ovarian cancer seek the advise and care of a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor who specializes in cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina.

Baby Powder Lawsuits

The first baby powder cancer lawsuit went before a federal court back in 2013. Since then, several lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and attorneys expect there to be many more in the future. Awards and settlements from these ovarian cancer lawsuits will help victims pay past and future medical bills as well as compensate victims for their pain and suffering. These baby powder cancer lawsuits also help hold large companies accountable for their actions and representations.