Top 5 Things Women Need to Know About Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits from Talcum Powder

Talcum powder is found in many common household items that people use every day. While things like baby powders and feminine hygiene products may seem safe, the talc lurking in their ingredient list could pose a serious health risk – especially for women.

As early as the 1960s, scientists and companies were aware of the potential link between talcum powder and cancer, but many consumers never received word about the risks. Medical research has shown that females who use talcum powder may be more likely to develop ovarian cancer. This is particularly true for women who use talc-containing products in their genital area.

Women who have suffered ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder have begun filing lawsuits to seek compensation from the manufacturers of the talc-based products. Some recent successes include a $55 million award in a talcum powder-related ovarian cancer lawsuit in 2016 and a nearly $75 million verdict that was awarded in late 2015. Both awards included punitive damages based on the jurors’ finding that manufacturers failed to warn women about the known increased risk of ovarian cancer from use of talcum powder.

If you believe you may have developed ovarian cancer because you used products containing talc, you may be considering filing an ovarian cancer claim due to talcum powder. You should talk to the experienced Oklahoma ovarian cancer lawyers at Edwards & Patterson Law. Contact us today for a free consultation and advice about your legal options. We care. We fight. We win!

What You Need to Know About Ovarian Cancer and Talc

1. Research links ovarian cancer to talcum powder.

The FDA reports that scientific studies have for decades indicated a connection between ovarian cancer and the use of talc-containing products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2006 classified talcum powder as a possible human carcinogen if used in the female genital area. Genital use of talcum powder has been linked with a 44 percent increased risk for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. The European Journal of Cancer Prevention reviewed a series of studies conducted in the 1980s and 1990s. It found that several indicated that talc is related to ovarian cancer. Research continues on the issue.

2. African American women may face a greater risk of ovarian cancer caused by talc.

According to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, African American women face the highest talc-related ovarian cancer risks. In that study, researchers found that African American women who regularly used talcum powder had a more than 30 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer when compared to a control group. The increased ovarian cancer risk rose to more than 40 percent in African American women who regularly applied talcum powder to their genitals. Disturbingly, researchers noted that African American women were heavily targeted by talcum powder marketers. Reuters reported that Johnson & Johnson has sought to increase talcum powder’s weak sales by targeting minority communities.

3. Talc is a common ingredient in many household products. Talcum powder may be present in a wide variety of personal care products, makeup, supplements and other household items. Examples of products that may contain talc include:

• Baby powder
• Body powder and after-shower powder
• Diaper rash ointment
• Cosmetics
• Eye shadow
• Foundation
• Blush
• Concealer
• Face powder
• Antiperspirant and deodorant
• Skin cream
• Hair removal cream
• Soap
• Sunscreen
• Bronzer
• Moisturizer
• Vitamins and dietary supplements
• Glues and adhesives
• Paints, primers and finishes
• Flea and tick treatments for pets

4. Ovarian cancer causes a number of symptoms.

You should seek medical advice if you are experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer, which may include:

• Feeling bloated
• Pain in the pelvic or abdominal areas
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary issues such as urgency (always feeling like you have to go) or frequency (having to go often)
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach and nausea
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation
• Changes in your period
• Swelling in the abdomen combined with weight loss

5. If talcum powder caused your ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation.

If you had ovarian cancer, your doctors probably concentrated on fighting the disease, rather than determining what caused it. However, your medical records, tumor samples and pathology reports from your course of treatment could prove valuable in pinning down the cause of the disease in a lawsuit. Some victims have already successfully proved to juries that talc caused their ovarian cancer. In fact, more than $130 million has already been awarded in talc cancer cases. If you think you or a loved one may have suffered ovarian cancer related to talcum powder exposure, consult with an ovarian cancer attorney who will fight for you. The lawyers of Edwards & Patterson Law have a long history of helping clients throughout Oklahoma, including McAlester and Tulsa.

Edwards & Patterson Law

“We care. We fight. We win!” That’s more than just a slogan at Edwards & Patterson Law. Those simple words sum up our law firm’s mission and everything we do for our accident and personal injury clients.