A Rhode Island couple has filed a new lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson claiming that talcum powder for women causes ovarian cancer.

Plaintiffs Tracy K. and Christopher K. have filed a baby powder cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson with claims that talcum powder for women can lead to the development of ovarian cancer.

Tracy claims that from the time she was a child, she used talcum powder for women on her genital area. She says her parents used it in her diaper area when she was an infant, and then she was encouraged to use it later on because she was led to believe that talcum powder for women was safe.

She claims she continued this practice with talcum powder for women until 2004. In 2013, at age 47, Tracy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She claims that there were no notable risk factors indicating that she should develop ovarian cancer.

According to her talcum powder lawsuit, “[o]n or around October 2017, a personal friend, and attorney, Donna Madden, asked [Tracy] if she used talc products during her lifetime as studies have linked talc use to ovarian cancer.”

After speaking with a doctor about talcum powder for women, Tracy claims, her concerns were reaffirmed that her ovarian cancer might be due to her long term use of talcum powder for women.

Tracy claims that her ovarian cancer was a direct result of her baby powder use and is attempting to hold Johnson & Johnson responsible. She also accuses Johnson & Johnson of the “wrongful and negligent conduct in the researching, mining, milling, developing, testing, screening, treating, storing, manufacturing, producing, processing, promoting, supplying, distributing, marketing, purchasing, and selling of talcum powder.”

Because of her use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder for women, Tracy has suffered medical expenses, pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life.

Does Talcum Powder for Women Cause Cancer?

Consumers who use talcum powder believe it to be safe for use. It is marketed as a safe product for children, women and infants. However, many studies have pointed to a possible connection between talcum powder use in the genital area and the development of ovarian cancer.

Talc, a mineral mined in the earth, is present in Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder for women. Talc particles have been found embedded in cancerous ovaries and researchers report that there is a significant increase in ovarian cancer for those who use talcum powder in the genital area.

In fact, compared to women who have never used talcum powder for women in the genital area, women who do use it show a 33 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

As far back as the 1970s, studies began to indicate a connection between ovarian cancer and talcum powder use. Since then, numerous research studies have been done looking at this link. Plaintiffs often allege that Johnson & Johnson knew about the connection, but did nothing to inform the public about the risks. Instead, they continued to market talcum powder for women as safe for daily use.

This Talcum Powder for Women lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00342-WES-PAS in the Superior Court for the State of Rhode Island, Providence.