A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in early January 2020 disputes consumer claims that contaminated talcum products may cause cancer.

JAMA Study Claims No Link Between Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer

Although consumer reports and previous studies have indicated that there may be a link between contaminated talcum powder and ovarian cancer, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) disputes these findings. According to the JAMA study of more than 250,000 women who used talc-based personal hygiene powders on their genitals, their risk of ovarian cancer did not significantly rise with the use of these powders. As talcum powder may be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, many women who use these products have worried that they are being unintentionally exposed to dangerous materials.

The study reportedly used information from several other studies that followed more than 250,000 women for more than a decade. Over a third of the women surveyed reported using talc-based products. Although over 2,000 of the women in the study developed ovarian cancer, the researchers determined that the risk was not statistically significant. Women who used talc-based personal hygiene products on their genitals were determined to be at an eight percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who did not use these products. However, the researchers could not rule out the possibility that this increased risk was due to other factors.

Thousands of lawsuits and legal claims are pending against Johnson & Johnson regarding the company’s popular talc-based baby powder and other personal hygiene products. However, due to the new information contained in the JAMA study, it is unclear what the future of these lawsuits will be. Approximately 17,000 women have filed complaints regarding the potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

Possible Side Effects of Contaminated Talcum Products

Talc is the main ingredient in many personal hygiene and cosmetic products such as baby powder, pressed powder, blush, and other makeup. As talc is often mined near asbestos, asbestos may be found in talcum powder and other talc-based products. According to many women and some research, this contamination may lead to serious side effects.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral known to cause cancer in humans. Asbestos fibers are very small and may be unknowingly inhaled, ingested, or otherwise consumed. When these fibers find their way into the human body, they may lead to inflammation, irritation, and scar tissue. Over time, this inflammation may result in cancer. As this cancer is generally slow-growing and does not develop for years or decades, it is often not diagnosed until the cancer has become serious and spread.

Despite the recent findings on talc products and cancer, Johnson & Johnson has lost several recent lawsuits filed by women claiming that J&J products gave them cancer. If you developed ovarian cancer after using talc-based personal hygiene products, you may be eligible to hire an experienced attorney and file a class action lawsuit against the product manufacturer. Victims may be able to recover compensation for damages including medical expenses, injuries, and pain and suffering.