Baby powder has been marketed for decades as a classic, nursery staple. However, daily adult use of talcum powder has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer, according to numerous studies.

For more than 40 years, researchers have studied the possible association between ovarian cancer and talcum powder and have discovered there is a higher chance of developing ovarian cancer for women who use talc powder.

The increased risk may be near 40 percent for U.S. women who claim to use talc powder as part of their daily feminine hygiene routine.

Talcum Powder Cancer Studies

Beginning in 1971, a study published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Commonwealth researchers found that out of 13 biopsied ovarian tumors, 10 had talc particles embedded deep within them. Researchers determined that when talcum powder is applied to the genital area, talc particles may be able to travel into the body.

In a talcum powder cancer study published in the journal Cancer in 1982, researchers analyzed data from women who either regularly used baby powder on the genital area or on sanitary napkins and found that those who did both were three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer when compared to women without talc exposure.

A 2010 study performed by Harvard researchers found an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer with women past menopause. Those women who reported ever using a talc powder had a 21 percent higher chance of developing endometrial cancer, while women who reported using talcum powder on a regular basis had a 24 percent increased risk.

Then in 2013 a Cancer Prevention Research study involving thousands of women, discovered that applying baby powder to the genital area increases the chance of developing ovarian cancer by 20 to 30 percent.

Johnson’s Baby Talc

Johnson’s baby powder has been on the market for more than a century and is advertised as “Clinically proven to be gentle and mild for your baby’s skin.” Many consumers point to this Johnson’s baby talc powder claim that if the product is safe to use on an infant, then there are probably no health risks associated with it.

In addition, customers also state that Johnson’s adult talcum powder marketed under the name Shower to Shower is specifically designed for daily use on the genital area. For example, Shower to Shower talc products are advertised as “just a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.”

Johnson & Johnson has yet to place any cancer warning on their products by stating that research surrounding ovarian cancer and talcum powder is not conclusive.

Ovarian Cancer Overview

According to the American Cancer Society, “ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of cancers among women, but it causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.” The American Cancer Society reports that more than 14,000 women died from ovarian cancer in 2015.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• A frequent need to urinate
• Discomfort in the pelvis area
• Weight loss

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Information

Hundreds of talcum powder lawsuits have been filed so far with the majority of them against manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

In 2013, a South Dakota women alleged Johnson & Johnson failed to warn of the ovarian cancer risks associated with talcum powder and won her lawsuit.

If you developed cancer after using Johnson’s baby talc or generic talcum powder, contact an attorney to find out if you can file a talcum powder lawsuit as an individual or if it would be better to join a talcum powder cancer class action lawsuit.