Johnson & Johnson is facing a new product liability claim, alleging the company failed to describe potentially fatal baby powder cancer risks on their talcum powder products’ warning labels.

This talcum powder cancer lawsuit was filed by a woman from Virginia, who says she used the products for over a decade without being aware of the alleged baby powder cancer risks.

Plaintiff Janice M. says she used both Johnson & Johnson’s talcum baby powder and Shower to Shower powder for personal female hygienic purposes, while being unaware that this use could contribute to the alleged baby powder cancer risks. While this is a typical use of these products, Janice and numerous other women say they are only just learning of the potential carcinogenic effects of talcum powder.

According to the talcum powder cancer lawsuit, Janice had started using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower product in June 1997 and had applied the powder for feminine hygiene purposes until January 2014.

Janice reportedly found out about the baby powder cancer risks when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Dec. 1, 2015. She has been contending with the disease ever since.

Janice opted to file legal action against Johnson & Johnson after discovering other women had allegedly developed similar injuries, women who were also allegedly not warned of the connection between baby powder and ovarian cancer risk.

Overview of Talcum Baby Powder Cancer Risks

Johnson & Johnson has been selling talcum powder products for decades, and they are common in households throughout the United States. The company has heavily marketed their talcum powder products towards women, using statements like “for you, use every day to help feel soft, fresh, and comfortable.”

Talcum powder is used as a hygienic product because it can soothe rashes while absorbing moisture. Female hygiene is one of its most popular uses, with numerous women applying talcum powder to their underwear lining.

Women say Johnson & Johnson encouraged women to buy these products specifically for feminine hygiene use, while allegedly failing to describe the potential baby powder cancer risks.

Talcum powder was first linked to ovarian cancer in 1971, and the first in depth epidemiological study was conducted in 1982. Since then, there have been over 27 additional studies finding similar results indicating talcum powder use increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

Researchers suspect that when women apply the powder to their genital area, the talc particles may enter the body and can embed themselves in their ovaries. These particles may trigger the development of cancer cells, which can be potentially fatal for the patient.

Johnson & Johnson has reportedly been aware of these studies for years, but allegedly failed to include them on their talcum powder products’ warning labels. Consumers have come forward as injured plaintiffs, to the point of costing the company millions in lawsuit judgments.

Plaintiffs point out that Johnson & Johnson had the option of using cornstarch but had still used talc while allegedly being aware of talcum baby powder cancer risks. Janice states she would not have used the product if she had known the potential baby powder cancer risks, and holds J&J’s failure to disclose the ovarian cancer risks to the public to blame.

Janice’s Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-02660-RC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.