Recent studies suggest there’s a correlation between the regular use of genital talc and an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer in women. The regular or excessive use of genital talcum powder significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer, said results from a study that analyzed over 4,000 women.
Researchers developed a way to analyze women’s daily hygiene habits by asking a group of over 4,000 women, 2,041 diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 2,100 women free of the disease, about their talcum powder use. The study was lead by Dr. Daniel W. Cramer, head of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Epidemiology Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Cramer’s focus was to determine whether the application of talc really increases the risk of women having ovarian cancer diagnosed, and the findings confirmed that indeed, talc powder plays a significant risk boost.
The study threw stunning results as the data showed a 33 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer on women who routinely apply talc to the genital area, tampons or underwear.
“This is an easily modified risk factor, said Dr. Cramer while sharing their findings. “Talc is a good drying agent, but women should know that if it’s used repeatedly, it can get into the vagina and into their upper genital tract.”
While talcum is a moisture-absorbing mineral, it also contains asbestos in its natural form, which would explain how the regular application of the substance on genital areas could lead to higher risks of developing the disease.
However, the talcum sold in the United States have been asbestos-free since the 1970s, which raises many questions to the powder maker company regarding the safety measures of their products.
The people vs. Johnson & Johnson
Although debates about the links between talcum powder and the risk of developing ovarian cancer have been around for a long time, the discussions are now heated due to a recent U.S. court order. The well-known Johnson & Johnson Corporation has been under menace as one of its products has been supposedly the reason of a woman in Birmingham, Alabama developed ovarian cancer.
The court rule ordered a powder maker company to compensate for damages to the family of Jacqueline Salter Fox, the woman who died from ovarian cancer apparently related to the long use of the genital talcum. It’s worth noticing that not only Jacqueline was the focus of the civil suit against talc powder use, but also, nearly 60 other people took part of the broader Missouri claim.
A St. Louis jury ordered the powder talcum company Johnson & Johnson to pay the incredible amount of $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Salter Fox, who sued the company claiming she developed terminal ovarian cancer yet, didn’t get to see justice being done. Amazingly, this jury verdict is the first case among over 1,000 more nationwide that resulted in a monetary compensation, according to Fox’s attorneys on a statement.
Source: Fox News