The alleged correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer risk has been mentioned frequently in recent product liability claims against Johnson & Johnson from numerous women alleging the common hygiene product had caused them to develop the serious disease.

One of the most recent claims was filed by a woman from Virginia, alleging she had used the company’s talcum powder products for typical treatment purposes and that it had eventually caused her to develop ovarian cancer.

Plaintiff Clara B. reportedly used the company’s talcum powder products for feminine hygiene purposes from January 1990 until February 2016, which was a use she says was well advertised and encouraged by Johnson & Johnson.

Baby Powder Marketing

For decades, Johnson & Johnson has marketed their talcum powder products as staple hygiene products that could be used to treat a variety of skin problems including diaper rash and excess moisture.

This made talcum powder a good solution for women suffering from hygiene problems in their genital area, particularly with odor and excess wetness. Johnson & Johnson would reportedly encourage women to use their talcum powder products for female personal hygiene with phrases like “for you, use every day to help feel soft, fresh, and comfortable” or “a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.”

With these advertisements and other marketing statements, Clara says she used the company’s talcum powder products on a regular basis with no reason to believe she was at risk for serious health problems. However, she says she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Oct. 15, 2015, and has since been contending with the disease.

Overview of Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer Correlation

When talcum powder is applied to the genital area, the talc particles travel through the fallopian tubes and eventually embed themselves in the ovaries. After a certain amount of years, the particles can trigger ovarian cancer.

Clara opted to file legal action against Johnson & Johnson after discovering there were numerous studies that suggested a talcum powder and ovarian cancer risk stemming back to 1971. Since 1982, there have been over two dozen studies indicating a talcum powder and ovarian cancer risk.  Yet Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to mention this on their products’ warning labels.

While it is currently not known how talcum powder may be inducing this reaction in women, it has been alleged that at least some of the talc mined and processed by Johnson & Johnson may be contaminated with asbestos. This means that not only do women who use talcum powder for this particular purpose have to worry about ovarian cancer, but miners and other workers involved in the manufacturing process have to worry about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Even though the potential side effects of talcum powder can be devastating to their customers, Johnson & Johnson is accused of failing to warn against this correlation. Clara is seeking numerous damages in her talcum powder cancer lawsuit including negligence and failure to warn.

Her Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:19-cv-00436-RC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.