by Dr. Janet Matuszek
Johnson and Johnson was just ordered this month to pay $72 million dollars to one family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after years of using the company’s talcum products. What does that mean to me….am I at risk?
First, lets all put this into perspective. Just because a jury found a company liable, does not mean that there is an association. Look at breast implants. Silicone breast implant company, Dow Corning, had to file bankruptcy after a lawsuit, suggesting increased risks of cancer and autoimmune diseases in the 1990’s, reached a record settlement of $4.5 billion dollars. Despite this case, silicone implants are being used today and have been found to be safe. They give a better cosmetic appearance especially in those women who have had breast cancer reconstructive surgery. Today we know there is no association or increased risk of autoimmune diseases or cancer in women who have had silicone breast implants.
This also seems to be the same with this particular case. The suit argued that Johnson and Johnson knowingly failed to warn customers of a supposed cancer risk posed by using its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products. However, the science behind the claims doesn’t exactly match up. In fact, the FDA tested over 34 eye shadows, blushes, pressed powders, foundations and body powders (including Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower) and none showed any traces of asbestos!
What does asbestos have to do with this….. Well, talc found in talcum powder is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the earth. So is asbestos, a known cancer causing agent. Both are found in the same places so some talc can be contaminated with asbestos. Not all of it does (which is why the Occupational Safety & Health Administration lists them as two different substances: talc with asbestos and talc without asbestos). Talc can also be purified to have the traces of asbestos removed.
Inhaling talc containing asbestos has been linked to lung cancer. In the 1960’s and 70’s people began worrying about talcum powder and risks of ovarian cancer. The worry was if you put talcum powder in your genital region, could this cause ovarian cancer?
In order for this to happen, the powder would have to travel up the vagina, go past the cervix, through the uterus and then through the fallopian tubes leading to the ovary, where maybe it could somehow cause cancer. Most powder is used by overweight women who use the powder between their legs to help minimize chafing and for moisture absorption. Obesity by itself is also a known risk factor for ovarian cancer without any use of talcum powder.
So the take home point is there is no conclusive evidence for a causal relationship between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. If you are concerned, do not use talcum powder. You can substitute cornstarch based powders instead (like Johnson’s Baby Pure Cornstarch Powder, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder or Avalon Organics Silk Cornstarch Baby Powder).
Remember…..it is always important to put your individual risks into perspective.
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