Recently unveiled research provides compelling casual evidence for how talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer in consumers. Scientists from Wayne State University’s Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit presented findings in early June indicating that talc in baby powder can stimulate mutations in genes tied to ovarian cancer.
Currently, corporate giant Johnson & Johnson faces over 12,000 lawsuits from women across the nation alleging that regular use of J&J baby powder and Shower-to-Shower products caused their ovarian cancer diagnoses. Many of these claims assert Johnson & Johnson failed to inform consumers about the risks of talcum powder causing ovarian cancer or of talc in baby powder containing asbestos. J&J have maintained for decades that long-term exposure to talc in baby powder does not induce ovarian cancer. However, if the findings of WSU’s research prove as true, the new information could turn the odds in the favor of consumers suing Johnson & Johnson for product injury claims.
At the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, WSU researchers revealed that when exposed to talcum powder, both normal and cancerous ovarian cells mutated in genes like CAT, NOS, and GPX1. In this study, the talcum powder created a higher oxidative state of not just ovarian cancer cell lines, but also healthy Fallopian cells. Scientists generally agree that ovarian cancer starts in the Fallopian tubes, so this research could provide strong evidence in favor of women suing Johnson & Johnson for ovarian cancer diagnoses. This research still needs to be peer reviewed and published in a medical journal, both necessary factors to uphold the validity of the study.
Many talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit proceedings have been centralized in the District of New Jersey before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson. Several multimillion-dollar verdicts have already been awarded in favor of women suing Johnson & Johnson for talc-induced ovarian cancer, one totaling nearly $5 billion for 22 women struggling with ovarian cancer. Some researchers suggest that juries do find credibility in defending talcum powder safety, information that could impact future talcum powder trials.