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Woman Sues J&J for Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer

Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Link Tied to Shower to Shower

talcum powder ovarian cancerA woman has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson alleging that her daily use of the company’s talcum powder product Shower to Shower caused her ovarian cancer.

Lynne Cebulske filed her personal injury lawsuit on May 14th, claiming that she had used J&J’s baby powder and talcum powder products since 1992 for feminine hygiene. However, like many consumers, she did not know the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, until after she was diagnosed with cancer in May 2012.

The first link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer was reported in a study in 1971. Since that time, a number of studies have established a connection:

  • A 1982, found a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who reported genital use of talcum powder products.
  • A study from 1992, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that weekly use of talcum powder led to a three-fold increase in ovarian cancer risk.
  • A study published in a 1997 edition of American Journal of Epidemiology confirmed the link, and added that genital deodorant sprays with talcum powder could also be linked to ovarian cancer.
  • In 2003, the journal Anticancer Research compiled data from 16 previous studies which involved data from 12,000 women and concluded that perineal baby powder use raised the risk of ovarian cancer later in life by 33%.
  • In 2008, Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Margaret Gates reaffirmed the 2003 and 1992 studies, stating that her research led to the conclusion that weekly talcum powder use in the genital area raised the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 33%. She also specifically called out Johnson & Johnson’s product Shower to Shower, which she said could lead to a 41% increase in ovarian cancer risk with regular use. She published an addition study on the link between baby powder use and later ovarian cancer risk in 2010.

Cebulske’s complaint further alleges that one of the study’s authors went to Johnson & Johnson and advised the company of the link between talcum powder products like Shower to Shower and ovarian cancer, and said that the company should put a warning label on their bath products. However, the personal injury lawsuit notes that the company has not put information on their talcum powder bath products, despite more and more studies linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer.

Cebulske filed her lawsuit in St. Clair County Court in Illinois, seeking $350,000 for her lost wages and medical bills, plus costs and other relief that the court deems just.

The Talcum Power Cancer Link was not disclosed to the public.

Although not disclosed to the general public, the talcum powder cancer link has been documented for years.  Studies dating back to the 1970s indicated that women who apply talcum or baby powder to the genital area have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.  A number of studies over the past several decades have reached the same conclusion.  Neither Johnson and Johnson nor the FDA warned the public about the risk.  As of May 2014, talc based products are not required to contain a warning advising of the link between talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Not surprisingly, lawsuits have been filed alleging that Johnson and Johnson failed to warn women of the risks associated with talcum powder.  Johnson and Johnson claims that it is not responsible.  Judges and Juries have disagreed with Johnson and Johnson. In 2013, a verdict in favor of the plaintiff was issued in the first baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Talcum Powder Personal Injury Cases

If you have been harmed, or a loved one has regularly used talcum powder and has since developed ovarian cancer, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. You may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.

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