January 31, 2017 — A study by doctors in Manhattan has found a 22% increased risk of ovarian cancer for women who use talcum powder on their genital area.
The study was published by Dr. Paolo Boffetta, associate director for cancer prevention at Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital.
The conclusions were based on a meta-analysis of 24 previously-published studies involving 302,705 women with ovarian cancer. The study was published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention on January 11.
However, Dr. Boffetta stressed that it does not prove that talcum powder causes ovarian cancer. He told Newsday:
“Overall, it is about a 20 percent higher risk for women who say they used talc, compared to women who say they did not use it.”
The association was limited to ovarian serous carcinoma, which start in epithelial cells on the surface layer covering the ovaries. It is very similar to mesothelioma, which starts in epithelial cells on the lungs.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, a mineral that is very similar to talcum powder. Before the 1970s, talc was often contaminated with asbestos. Products like Cashmere Bouquet had up to 20% asbestos.
Lawsuits involving mesothelioma and ovarian cancer from talcum powder have ended in multi-million dollar jury verdicts in recent years. Over 2,000 lawsuits are currently pending against Johnson & Johnson, manufacturer of Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower.
Do I have a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting talcum powder induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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