Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer

From the baby powder applied to a baby's bottom to the body powder they use after getting out of the shower and cosmetic products they wear throughout the day, exposure to talcum powder has been a normal part of life for most women. For some of them, their daily routine was increasing their risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Lawsuits pending across the country claim that regular use of powders made from talc, particularly Baby Powder and Shower to Shower made by Johnson & Johnson, increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. If you or a loved one have experienced health issues related to the use of talcum powder or products made from it, you may have the right to file a claim for damages against the manufacturer of the product.

DrugInjuryHelp.Today is a service that connects people in need of legal representation with local attorneys. Making a claim for compensation against Johnson & Johnson or any of the other corporate giants that produce talcum powder and products made from it requires the services of an attorney with experience handling complex product liability litigation. We put you in touch with attorneys in your area who possess the knowledge and skills to evaluate your claim for damages and pursue it in court.

What is talcum powder?

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral found in clay deposits located deep within the Earth and extracted through mining operations. Consisting primarily of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, some talc extracted during mining operations can be contaminated by veins of asbestos that may exist in the ground along with the talc. Asbestos is known to cause lung and other forms of cancer in humans.

The mined talc is crushed and allowed to dry until eventually being milled into a soft, fine powder. Processed talc is soft, silky, and capable of absorbing moisture, which makes it ideal for a variety of consumer uses, including:

Cosmetics, including lipstick, blush, eye shadow, and other types of makeup.
Crayons
Toys
Chewing gum
Pharmaceutical pills and supplements

Manufacturers of condoms used talc on their products as a dry lubricant until the mid-1990s when researchers wrote about a possible link between talc and an increased risk of health issues for women, including a link between it and ovarian cancer.

Tests conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of talc-based products found no evidence of asbestos contamination in any of the samples. However, as reported in the New York Times, only a limited number of products were tested by the FDA, and testing results conducted on samples on behalf of claimants in lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson revealed the presence of asbestos in some of the products.

What is the cancer risk posed by talcum powder?

First introduced as a baby powder by Johnson & Johnson more than 100 years ago, talcum powder gained widespread acceptance as a way to prevent babies from developing diaper rash. Women use it to absorb moisture, particularly in the genital area.

According to the American Cancer Society, talcum powder containing asbestos can cause cancer when inhaled. Research into the use of talcum-based products in the genital area shows it can enter the body and cause irritation and may increase the risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer.

Lawsuits filed around the country against Johnson & Johnson claim that the company knew or should have known of the health risks associated with their product. The claims for damages accuse the company of negligence of failing to warn users of the dangers associated with talcum powder, including the risk of developing ovarian cancer or other types of cancer.

Damages recoverable in a lawsuit

When talcum powder causes ovarian cancer, lung cancer, or other serious health issues a lawsuit against the manufacturer may allow you to be compensated. Damages recoverable in a lawsuit based on the use of a dangerous product include the following:

Mental anguish and physical pain and suffering.
Expenses for medical care and treatment, including future care and treatment doctors anticipate you may require.
Lost income and the loss or impairment of future earning capacity.
Impaired quality of life.

Loss of a loved one to ovarian or other forms of cancer caused by the use of talcum powder may entitle surviving members of the family to recover damages through a lawsuit for wrongful death.

How can a lawyer help?

Recovering damages for ovarian cancer and other health issues caused by the use of talcum powder and products marketed and sold to the public for decades requires the knowledge and skills of an experienced attorney capable of handling complex litigation. DrugInjuryHelp.Today is a service that puts you in touch with lawyers in your local area who can serve as your dedicated advocate to aggressively take on the companies responsible for causing you to be harmed by their dangerous products. Contact us today for more information.