Baby Powder and Cancer: An Unexpected Correlation

Talcum Powder, also known as Talc Powder or Baby Powder is used by millions of people every day. The majority of households in the United States use these products for the care of their infants. Since the product is generally seen as safe, consumers are shocked to learn that it’s been linked to thousands of women developing ovarian cancer. The powder product contains talc, which is made up of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, and has been demonstrated to cause ovarian cancer. As a result, many individuals are exploring their legal options in response to companies like Johnson & Johnson allegedly withholding important information about the risk of developing ovarian cancer when using talc powder products.

We feel that consumers should know the risks of harm from the products they use, as well as what to do if they’ve been subjected to the risks. Unfortunately, cases like the baby powder lawsuit happen quite often. Jones Brown believes that it is important for our community to be aware of these events and know what to do if they find themselves in such an unfortunate situation.

While the dangers of talcum powder are recently being discussed within the media, people have known about the connections between talcum powder and ovarian cancer for over 40 years. In 1971, researchers who studied the tumors of patients with ovarian cancer found that talc was physically attached to 75% of the ovarian tumors they observed. However, businesses that utilize talcum powder continue to not tell their customers about the risks of using their product.

In 2013 researchers published their findings to the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research regarding the link between talcum-based products and ovarian cancer. The researchers found that women who used talcum body powder would have a 20% to 30% greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than women who did not use talc.

In October of that same year, Johnson & Johnson faced a jury trial for not warning their customers about the dangers of talcum powder. Deane Berg, a 56-year-old woman with stage-3 ovarian cancer was able to prove that her cancer was directly caused by her use of talcum powder through scientific examination. The jury ruled against Johnson & Johnson, marking the beginning of many lawsuits over the cancer-causing product.

Today, thousands of women are seeking legal advice regarding their exposure to the harmful effects of talcum powder. Since Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers choose not to include the risk of ovarian cancer on any of their labeling, they can be held liable for the damages done as a result of their products. Since the science of litigation determined the product to be harmful, individuals could even be compensated without having been diagnosed with cancer themselves. If a woman has a genetic predisposition to developing ovarian cancer, she can seek compensation for the risk that she exposed herself to by using the dangerous product.

Unfortunately, talcum powder is just one example of products that can harm consumers. However with an attorney’s guidance, individuals can ensure that they are compensated for any damages to their health.

If you or a loved one wants to find out what your legal options are after being harmed by a product from a manufacturer or business, call us today! We will speak to you for free about your situation, and we are available 24 hours a day at 855-JBLAW-99 (855-525-2999).