A recent study suggests that talcum powder can cause women to develop ovarian cancer. This study follows allegations that Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower caused talcum powder cancer in a large number of women. 

The study recommended that some (if not all) brands of talcum powder should be listed as a cancer-causing agent.

The study was published in October in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. Though the talcum powder brands went unnamed, the researchers suggested that talcum powder may contain asbestos fibers and may have caused women to develop mesothelioma, a dangerous cancer.

The researchers believed that talcum powder cancer was a risk associated with multiple common brands of talcum powder. This study has come to a different conclusion than the American Cancer Association, which stated that talcum powder ovarian cancer risks are unknown or probably small.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated, “a case-control study has suggested an approximate doubling in relative risk for ovarian cancer among women with perineal use of talc, but the possibility of recall bias cannot be ruled out.” The IARC also stated that talcum powder miners have an increased risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.

This study may influence the American Cancer Association and the IARC and cause talcum powder to be officially listed as a carcinogen.

Baby Powder Cancer

Talcum powder is a known ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower. Both baby powder products are commonly used by women for feminine hygiene.

Johnson & Johnson products are most commonly used on infants. However, many women have developed ovarian cancer as an alleged result of baby powder use. Ovarian cancer may also spread to the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes.

Johnson & Johnson has allegedly promoted Shower to Shower and Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygienic use. Currently, the warning label on both baby powder products states that users should avoid contact with the eyes and keep the powder away from a child’s face as to avoid inhalation. However, there are no warnings about potential baby powder cancer risks although studies have shown that talcum powder many increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 20-30 percent.

Because of this, many baby powder cancer lawsuits have been filed against Johnson and Johnson for failing to warn against potential ovarian cancer side effects. A baby powder class action lawsuit was filed last year that alleged Johnson & Johnson was aware of talcum powder cancer risks yet still failed to change the warning labels.

This new study now adds the possible risk that talcum powder can cause mesothelioma as well as ovarian cancer.