Johnson & Johnson is facing a new talcum powder lawsuit filed by a woman alleging the company failed to warn her against potential ovarian cancer risk.

The woman says that the company was aware of the ovarian cancer risk associated with their talcum powder products, but failed to warn her and the general public.

Plaintiff Doris L. states the ovarian cancer risk was not described on the labels for the company’s talcum powder products, and that disclosure would have influenced her decision in using the products. The alleged talcum powder ovarian cancer risk has been well publicized recently, after over 20 different studies published since the 1970s noted a link between the substance and disease.

Talcum powder ovarian cancer risk stems from personal hygiene uses of the product. The plaintiff alleges that Johnson & Johnson has recommended talcum powder products for such uses for years. With statements like “a sprinkle a day keeps odor away,” women were encouraged to line their underwear with talcum powder to reduce odor, friction, and wetness.

However, this use allegedly presents an ovarian cancer risk because it allows the talc particles to enter the body. Researchers believe that when talcum powder is applied to a woman’s genital area, the talc particles can enter the woman’s fallopian tubes and eventually embed themselves in the ovaries.

After a number of years, the particles may fester into cancer cells and can quickly takeover the woman’s reproductive system. It is important to note that ovarian cancer is highly aggressive, and should be treated as soon as possible.

Overview of Talcum Powder Lawsuit

In recent years, numerous women say they have been diagnosed with talcum powder ovarian cancer and have filed legal action against Johnson & Johnson for negligence. Doris alleges she was one of these women who had used talcum powder throughout her life for various hygienic purposes.

According to the talcum powder lawsuit, this regular use caused her to develop ovarian cancer and she had to undergo a hysterectomy on Sept. 26, 2016 to treat the disease. Doris says she has been contending with the disease ever since it was diagnosed and has experienced other painful treatment procedures.

Doris alleges in her lawsuit that Johnson & Johnson had deliberately concealed the talcum powder ovarian cancer risk, noting published studies and the other product liability claims filed by other women in her complaint.

At all times relevant, Doris says she had relied on the marketing statements and product information provided by the company and had no way of discovering the alleged talcum powder ovarian cancer risk beforehand.

In addition, the complaint notes that if Doris had known about the talcum powder ovarian cancer risk, she could have opted for safer alternatives like cornstarch. While the exact cause of this alleged carcinogenic effect is not known, researchers have noted that talc particles have a similar consistency to asbestos, a notorious carcinogen.

Even though the talcum powder ovarian cancer risk can be devastating to women, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn them about this potential side effect on their baby powder products. Doris’s talcum powder lawsuit seeks multiple damages, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Talcum Powder Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-04045-LB, in the U.S. District Court of Northern California.