Women who are purchasing personal care products assume that these items are safe for daily use. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Routinely applying products containing talc to the genitals, sanitary napkins, tampons, or underwear has been linked with a substantial increase in the risk of ovarian cancer. We encourage women who’ve used talc-containing products and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer to contact our experienced Talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorneys to discuss their legal right to compensation.
How Talc Is Linked to Ovarian Cancer
Talc is a mineral made of the three elements: magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It’s used in talcum powder to absorb moisture and cut down on friction. Talcum powder is used in cosmetics, baby products, and body powders.
In its natural form, the talc in talcum powder can contain asbestos. This is problematic because asbestos has been linked to increased cancer risk.
There have been concerns about talc causing ovarian cancer since the 1970s. The first academic study looking at the relationship between talcum powder and cancer risk was published in 1971 in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the British Commonwealth. It found talc particles in 75% of the ovarian and cervical tumors removed from 13 different women.
Other noteworthy studies include:
- In 1982, Harvard professor Dr. Daniel Cramer found women regularly engaged in perineal talcum powder dusting were nearly twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer.
- A 2004 study published in the International Journal of Cancer found talc use was highest in women with serious invasive ovarian tumors.
- In the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, a 2017 study found a “weak but statistically significant association between genital use of talc and ovarian cancer.”
- In 2016, the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES) found talcum powder usage on the genitals was associated with a 44% increase in ovarian cancer risk for Black women.
- A 2018 study in Epidemiology found “a consistent association between perineal talc use and ovarian cancer,” although there was some variation based on the type of study and ovarian cancer subtype.
Ovarian cancer is hard to detect, especially in the early stages. Symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, abdominal pain, back pain, shortness of breath, and menstrual changes overlap with many other common health conditions. It is imperative that women who’ve regularly used talcum powder products be on the lookout for any potential signs of cancer and contact a healthcare provider immediately to address their concerns.
Company Liability
Product liability law allows for civil claims against companies that have failed to provide adequate disclaimers, instructions, and warnings relating to a product’s safety. Since the companies that manufactured talcum powder have been aware of the concerns regarding increased cancer risk for several decades, they can be held legally liable for these marketing defects.
Johnson’s Baby Powder has been at the forefront of talcum powder lawsuits because it was long marketed for feminine hygiene use. However, it is not the only product that has been the target of liability claims. Shower to Shower Body Powder, also manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, was marketed to women for daily feminine hygiene use. Products by Revlon, Colgate-Palmolive, and Pfizer have also been involved in legal action related to talc ovarian cancer cases.
There have been over 17,000 talcum powder lawsuits to date, with the majority of claims still pending. However, initial verdicts have shown that the courts are willing to hold manufacturers accountable for risking the health of their female customers. For example, the family of Jacqueline Fox was awarded $72 million in February 2016 after a jury found her 35-year use of talcum powder caused her fatal ovarian cancer. Later, in October 2016, Deborah Giannecchini was awarded $70 million after a jury determined her ovarian cancer was caused by over 40 years of using Johnson’s Shower to Shower Body Powder.
Our Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Attorneys Here to Help
If you or your family member have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after prolonged use of talcum powder, our Talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorneys will gather the necessary evidence and fight for you in court to maximize compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You shouldn’t be financially burdened by manufacturer negligence.
Our product liability attorneys serves clients throughout Texas, including those in Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Clear Lake, Webster, Friendswood, Deer Park, LaPorte, Texas City, League City, Galveston, Pearland, Spring, Katy, Channelview, Jersey Village, and Missouri City. Contact our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation.