Talcum Power Can Cause Ovarian Cancer

Recent litigation has found Johnson & Johnson legally liable for a failure to warn their consumers of the serious danger of talc. Talc, or talcum powder, is a mineral that contains silicon, oxygen, and magnesium. It is used in many popular products, most commonly baby powder, to absorb moisture and inhibit friction to prevent rashes.

There have been class-action lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson for its negligence in not warning its consumers, most often women, of the serious health risk that talcum powder has. Links between talc and ovarian cancer have been affirmed in medical studies, jury verdicts and expert findings.

A study from the early 1980s found that women who use talcum powder are at nearly two times the risk compared to a control group of non-users for developing ovarian cancer. For women who use the powder genitally or on sanitary pads, a common method of use, the risk for ovarian cancer increased three times more than the relative risk.

Researchers have conducted even more in-depth studies and the findings remain the same. A group of 20,000 women were polled and when they used talcum powder, their risk for developing ovarian cancer increased by a whopping 24%. It is shocking that with such a high risk, the product has not been heavily regulated, labeled with a consumer safety warning or pulled from the market entirely.

The most recent lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson awarded a plaintiff more than $70 million in damages. The plaintiff is a woman who developed Stage IV ovarian cancer and regularly used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder.

Although being found negligent, Johnson & Johnson has not had to remove its talcum-based powders off the shelves. Additionally, the company has not issued a consumer warning on its products, so consumers are still left in the dark far too often about the potential danger they face when using the products. Although Johnson & Johnson may be unwilling to admit that their product can cause injury or death to its consumers, we want to do our part in exposing the dangers that talcum powder use poses, particularly to its female users.

Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP Represent Women in Talcum Powder Lawsuits

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, and you have used talcum powder on a regular basis, contact the Philadelphia products liability lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP so that we may thoroughly examine the details of your case and provide the experienced legal counsel you need. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For a confidential consultation, call us today at 800-222-8792 or contact us online.