TALC AND CANCER LAWYER ALEX R. HERNANDEZ JR. PLLC

1-888-HDZLAW-8

The link between talcum powders and ovarian cancer has been known for more than 40 years. The condition occurs when talcum powder is applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins. Two popular brands of talcum powder include Johnson’s Baby Powder by Johnson & Johnson and Shower to Shower by Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

Talc consists of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It has been used for thousands of years for absorbing moisture and keeping the skin dry. Modern society uses talcum powder as a deodorant and in baby products to reduce diaper rash.

The aforementioned application of talcum powder by women comes with the risk of the powder entering the ovaries via the vagina and leading to ovarian cancer. The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer has stated that even a once-per- week application of talc on female genitalia can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 60 percent. The Attributable Risk is 29 percent, which means that non-use of talc can save more than one out of four women from getting this disease. According to one estimate, as many as 10,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer because of talcum powder use.

It increases the risk of respiratory conditions in infants. These conditions include shallow breathing, wheezing, and even acute lung irritation. Long-term use can lead to asthma in kids.

It is worth noting that talc has a chemical structure similar to that of asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. Like asbestos, talc is a silicate mineral and irritates the lungs upon inhalation. Irritation leads to inflammation, and chronic inflammation can give rise to malignant tumors.

As of now, no talcum powders have been taken off the shelf because of an association with ovarian cancer. However, talc-based products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

If you have developed ovarian cancer and you believe that there is a link between your condition and talcum powder use, then

Attorney Alex R. Hernandez Jr. can help you. 1-888-HDZ-LAW-8.