Several studies — and the anecdotal evidence from thousands of women across the country — link the use of talcum powder on or near the genitals with ovarian cancer. This correlation is strong enough that juries across the country have awarded millions of dollars to victims.
If you used talcum powder around your genital area and later received an ovarian cancer diagnosis, we may be able to recover compensation for your suffering from Johnson & Johnson or another manufacturer of these powder products. Call a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit lawyer at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. today at 631-600-0000 to learn more about your options for filing a claim.
What Is the Correlation Between Talcum Powder Use and Ovarian Cancer?
A few decades ago, talcum powder was common in cosmetics. This included body powders, baby powders, and other items applied to multiple areas of the body. The primary component in these powders is talc, which contains silicon, oxygen, and magnesium. Many people use this type of powder to prevent chafing, rashes, and hygienic issues due to dampness. In the past, many women applied it to their undergarments, sanitary pads, and genital area for added freshness.
Today, many of the powders designed for this purpose contain no talc. Some women, however, spent decades liberally applying talcum powder to their genital region. An unusually large number of them now suffer from ovarian cancer. There are studies dating back more than 30 years may show a tentative correlation between the two.
The lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder product manufacturers allege these companies knew about the potential dangers of their products for several decades before they became known to the public. During this time, manufacturers failed to issue a warning to women about the potential for an increase in ovarian cancer risk. These suits allege the product is defective because of the missing warning.
What Does Research Say About Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer?
Studies are somewhat inconclusive at this time. But some agencies have taken action to notify the public about possible links between talcum powder and cancer.
The World Health Organization’s Agency for Research on Cancer noted that the use of talcum powder on perineal or genital areas is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
An analysis of 16 studies published prior to 2003 mentioned women who used talc over many decades. It states they might have a 33% higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who do not use talc. This is a significant risk if future studies can confirm the correlation.
As the American Cancer Society (ACS) notes, research will continue. The ACS notes that the overall increased cancer risk is low. But for women already affected by ovarian cancer related to the use of talcum powder, this is of no comfort.
At this time, some researchers are urging women to stop using any type of talcum powder product. But there has been no requirement for revised labeling. If you regularly used talcum powder and now suffer from ovarian cancer, consider calling an attorney knowledgeable with these lawsuits as soon as possible.
What Is the Current Status of Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
To date, thousands of women and their families have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder manufacturers for their possible role in an ovarian cancer diagnosis. These women claim the companies knew about the risk of ovarian cancer for decades but failed to warn product users. Most of these cases involve women who used Johnson & Johnson’s popular talcum powder on their genital region or on feminine hygiene products.
While many of these cases are still outstanding, there have been several large awards against Johnson & Johnson for women who suffered from ovarian cancer. Missouri juries awarded three payouts in excess of $50 million, including a $55 million, a $72 million (an appeals court recently vacated this decision), and a $110 million judgment.
In August 2017, a Los Angeles jury ordered the company to pay Eva Echevarria $417 million for the injuries she suffered from the regular use of Johnson’s Baby Powder. Much of this large award was punitive damages. Courts typically only award in cases where the liable party knowingly allowed injuries or illness to occur.
In October 2019, the FDA updated the Safety Alert and issued a warning not to use talcum powder that tested positive for asbestos. That same month, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled one lot of baby powder, after a sample tested positive for asbestos. The recalled product Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB
In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced that they will stop selling their talcum powder-based baby powder products from the United States and Canada markets. They state they are discontinuing the product because their sales have been declining since there have been many lawsuits filed against them for their use of talc in their product. In their statement, they continue to “vigorously defend” that their product is safe and does not cause cancer or illness. They label it as “misinformation” and “a constant barrage of litigation advertising”.
Many civil suits are already in progress. But there are likely many other women out there who suffered through an ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some women may have already lost their battle against this disease, but their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit on their behalf.
If you believe you may qualify, contact us today. We can help you review your medical records and other documentation of your illness. We will help collect proof to connect talcum powder use to your diagnosis.
How Can I Reach a Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer?
If you believe your ovarian cancer, or that of a loved one, might have stemmed from regular use of a talcum powder product, call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. today. We can help you understand if you qualify to file this type of claim. We can explain the process of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Call our office at 631-600-0000 to set up your complimentary consultation with one of our knowledgeable talcum powder litigation attorneys.
