Since 1971, more than 20 studies have linked talc powder to ovarian cancer, and, in 2003, an analysis of 16 of these studies found that women using talcum powder were 33 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer. It has been alleged that Johnson & Johnson, the maker of popular talc-based products, knew about the ovarian cancer risk since at least 1982, but failed to warn women using these products.
In addition, recently unearthed information reported by The New York Times, showed that Johnson & Johnson knew of the possible link of asbestos to their talc products. According to the article, the company spent decades trying to keep this negative information from reaching the public.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
Talc and Ovarian Cancer
For decades, researchers have been studying the potential link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder. It is believed that talc powder, when used near the genitals, can travel to the ovaries and become embedded in the ovarian tissue. While talc is a natural mineral, it is very difficult for the body to remove the particles and, as a result, inflammation may occur and cancerous tumors may form.
The first publication to suggest that talc may cause ovarian cancer was published in 1971 in the medical journal The Lancet. In the study, researchers discovered that a majority of ovarian tumors had talc particles “deeply embedded” in them. Then, in 1982, researchers found that women using talcum powder during ovulation were at a 92 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. During the next three decades, an additional 21 studies were performed on talc powder, and almost all of these studies found that women using these products near their genitals were at an increased risk for developing ovarian cancer.
To date, both the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society consider talc use near the genitals as a “risk factor” for ovarian cancer. Despite this possible link, Johnson & Johnson and other talc powder manufacturers have not placed warnings about this risk on their products.
Talc and Mesothelioma
Among new information uncovered last year, are hundreds of pages of memos that indicate Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder could potentially be contaminated with asbestos. Executives from as early as 1971 have stated concerns about trace amounts of asbestos in their products and that the company should no longer assume that their talc mines were asbestos free. In one finding, Johnson & Johnson demanded that the government block negative findings from the public. The company eventually won assurances from an official at the Food and Drug Administration stating that the information would only be issued “over my dead body”.
Johnson & Johnson Recalls and Removes Talc-Based Baby Powder
As a result of the wave of lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson recalled some batches of their line of talc-based powders in October 2019, and fully removed all of their talc-based powders from the market in May 2020.
But this does not get rid of the liability the company may have for any damage caused by their talc-based products in the past. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer after using talc-based powders, you may be eligible for compensation. Give us a call today for a free case review.
Individual Suits Are Different from a Class Action
There has also been a class action suit filed against Johnson & Johnson over talcum powder, but women who allege they have contracted cancer from talc might want to consider filing their own separate suits.
The big difference is that with individual suits women have pursued compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, among other things. Those who are part of the class action are suing only for recovery of the cost of the product, regardless of existence of a cancer diagnosis.
Top 10 Talc Dangers Questions Answered
Talcum powder has been making headlines lately as worrisome evidence that talc-based products pose severe risks to consumers continues to accumulate. Thousands of lawsuits are pending against manufacturers, with consumers claiming that talc-based wares caused their cancer. Meanwhile, companies selling the products insist the items are safe.
This conflicting information has resulted in substantial consumer concern regarding the safety of talc products. Many people who have been diagnosed with cancer after using such items are left wondering whether a lawyer can help. Below, we’ve answered your most pressing talc questions so you know where you stand.
1. What is talc?
Talc is a soft, naturally occurring mineral made of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium. After talc is mined and processed, the resulting fine powder is used in a variety of cosmetic products.
2. What is talc used for?
Talc appears in a wide range of products, including talcum powder (baby powder), feminine hygiene products, makeup, lotions, and deodorant. As talcum powder is known for its odor- and moisture-absorbing properties, some women use it in their genital area. Genital exposure to the mineral can also occur during condom, menstrual pad, or diaphragm use.
3. Why is talc harmful?
In nature, talc deposits are often found near dangerous accumulations of the carcinogenic mineral asbestos. Asbestos has been linked to many types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a rare disease of the lungs. Even trace amounts of asbestos have the potential to cause cancer, and diagnoses are often made decades after a talc-containing product was used.
Although the federal government required talc-based wares to be asbestos-free starting in the 1970s, scientists have noted that it is difficult to comply. In addition, there is evidence that companies continued to sell talc products that tested positive for asbestos long after regulations went into effect. A recent Reuters report showed that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contained asbestos from 1971 through the early 2000s, exposing consumers to serious risks for decades.
The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer states that women who use talcum powder on their genital area have a 30% to 60% increased risk of cancer. Researchers believe that talc causes the disease by provoking chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries, and potentially suppressing cancer-fighting antibodies.
Talcum powder also has been connected to mesothelioma, a rare lung cancer. When the small airborne particles enter the lungs, they can cause irritation, chronic inflammation, and the eventual formation of cancerous tumors.
4. Why are people filing lawsuits?
Thousands of people who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and mesothelioma have filed lawsuits against companies that use talc in their products. Johnson & Johnson has been at the center of many recent lawsuits, with victims claiming that they developed cancer after using the company’s talc-based items consistently for years.
Another key aspect of the lawsuits involves prosecuting attorneys’ claims that manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson knew for over 40 years that their products contained asbestos. According to internal J&J documents, the company concealed this information from the public and refused to put safety warnings on its items or remove them from sales shelves.
5. How many lawsuits have been filed?
Over 10,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson. Lawsuits are also pending against other talc product manufacturers.
6. Have there been any settlements or verdicts?
There have been several settlements and verdicts against Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, and other manufacturers for cases involving ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Settlements are on the rise in 2019.
The largest verdict against J&J was in July 2018, when a St. Louis jury awarded 22 ovarian cancer victims $4.6 billion after concluding that their use of the company’s baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. In May 2018, $25 million was awarded to Joanne Anderson by a jury concluding that her mesothelioma was caused by her use of talcum powder. In June 2019, Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive were ordered to pay $10 million to Patricia Schmitz, who was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma after using their talc products.
These are just a few recent examples of verdicts against companies. From 2016 to today, manufacturers of talc products have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to victims.
7. How are companies responding to lawsuits?
Despite many losing verdicts and settlements, companies continue to claim that their products are safe and do not contain asbestos or cause cancer.
8. Who can file a lawsuit?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using talc-based products, you may be eligible to file an individual lawsuit, especially if you have a consistent history of using such wares over a significant time period.
The more frequently you used the product and the longer the duration, the more likely it is that your cancer could have been caused by one containing talc. Because statutes of limitation for filing a lawsuit vary by state, it is in your best interests to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after your diagnosis.
9. What can I win in a talc lawsuit?
What you can recover depends on the type of lawsuit you file. For example, there is a class action suit filed against Johnson & Johnson where many consumers are suing for damages related to the cost of the product. However, it is important to understand that class actions do not cover individual health-related costs.
If, on the other hand, you file an individual personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses. Each case is different, and depending on the cost of your medical bills, the symptoms you experienced, and how much work you missed, the final settlement amount will vary.
10. What can an attorney do for me?
A good lawyer will ensure that your best interests are taken into account. They will make sure you meet important deadlines, give you a clear understanding of your legal rights, and supply trusted expert witnesses to bolster your case.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using a talc-based product, contact HGSK Lawyers for a free consultation.