Recent studies have revealed a potential link between the use of talcum powder and the development of ovarian cancer. Many women who have used talcum body powder in their genital areas have faced these concerns, and are suing manufacturing companies for not warning them about this potential side effect.

While some recent studies have suggested that using talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes has been the main factor in women who used this product and developed ovarian cancers, experts are not so sure. While experts acknowledge that the occurrences of ovarian tumors are significantly higher in women who use talc, they have been unable to provide solid guidance for women regarding this issue because research so far has not established a solid connection.

>>Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

Talcum powder products are primarily used for baby powder and general body powder. A number of companies sell talc products, including Johnson & Johnson’s Shower-to-Shower and Baby Powder. While talc has been traditionally used as a body powder for decades, concerns of ovarian cancer in conjunction with this product have been around since the 1970s. As early as 1971, researchers found talc embedded in 75 percent of all ovarian tumors studied, and have had scientific inquires suggesting that the powder travels through the vagina when applied to the genital area.

One of the most recent studies was published in the June 2013 issue of the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research, indicating that women who used genital powder containing talc may face a 20 to 30 percent greater risk of developing ovarian cancer when compared to women who do not use talc-containing powders.

Cancer experts state that even if a risk is present, the risk is small and unlikely to happen. However, experts also suggest to continue exploring the possibility of talc being connected to ovarian cancer, because consumers need to be informed about potential health risks. Additionally, they recommend that manufacturers should include this warning on their talc powders, even if there is not an established link.

In January 2014, Cancer Research UK updated its Ovarian Cancer Risks and Causes webpage to include a notification regarding talc and its possible connection to ovarian cancer. The website stated that increasing evidence for this connection is rising, but further research is still being conducted due to conflicting inquiry results. According to the organization, there is a discrepancy over whether or not ovarian cancer is caused by heavy or prolonged use of talc.

As further research is being done to investigate this the potential risk, a growing number of women are now considering pursuing legal action over their development of ovarian cancer after using talcum powder. The women allege that the manufacturing companies placed their concern for profit over the welfare of their consumers by not including the potential of this cancer on the label.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

One of the first baby powder cancer lawsuits filed was won in October 2013, when a South Dakota woman sued Johnson & Johnson, claiming its Shower-to-Shower body powder caused her to develop ovarian cancer. She had allegedly used the product for several decades. The jury ruled in factor of the plaintiff, finding that the scientific evidence supported the woman’s claims.

During the trial, a medical expert from Harvard University, Daniel Cramer, testified that he had been investigating the potential link between talc and ovarian cancer for 30 years. He suggested that talcum powder may cause 10,000 cases of ovarian cancer every year.