Los Angeles, CAAs two massive awards in talcum powder cancer lawsuits are handed out, women who used talcum powder are asking whether or not their ovarian cancer could have been caused by talcum powder. And while plaintiffs say their ovarian cancer was caused by talcum powder, Johnson & Johnson says the science shows no link between the use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Given, though, that two awards totaling $127 million have already been handed out, more women are filing lawsuits alleging they, too, were harmed by the use of talcum powder.
The link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer is not necessarily a clear one. Plaintiffs in lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson say studies conducted as early as the 1970s have shown the powder could be linked to ovarian cancer. Further, plaintiffs allege, Johnson & Johnson knew about this link but did not act on it or warn consumers.
Ovarian cancer is relatively rare. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer only accounts for 3 percent of cancers among women. But it is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women, and is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
Although there have been studies done on the potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, the studies concerning talcum powder have returned mixed results. Even the American Cancer Society will only say that findings have been mixed. While some studies have shown a small increased risk, others have found no increased risk.
“For any individual woman, if there is an increased risk, the overall increase is likely to be very small,” the American Cancer Society notes. “Still, talc is widely used in many products, so it is important to determine if the increased risk is real.”
But plaintiffs in one lawsuit (Hogans et al. v. Johnson & Johnson, case number 1422-CC09012) argued a 1982 study conducted by Dr. Daneil Cramer and others found a 92 percent increased risk in ovarian cancer with women who used talc around their genitals. “Shortly after this study was published, Dr. Bruce Semple of Johnson & Johnson came and visited Dr. Cramer about his study,” court documents note. “Dr. Cramer advised Dr. Semple that Johnson & Johnson should place a warning on its talcum powders about the ovarian cancer risks so that women can make an informed decision about their health.”
In the same lawsuit claims of 22 studies conducted since 1982, “nearly all” found an elevated risk of ovarian cancer in women who reported genital talc use. Pathology reports on some ovarian cancer tumors have reportedly found talc particles inside the tumors.
As Johnson & Johnson evaluates its options - it is likely to file an appeal of both awards against it - more women are filing lawsuits against the company, arguing they should have been made aware of the potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
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