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What types of cancer does talcum powder cause?

Naturally occurring talc and asbestos are often in close proximity of each other in the earth and thus contamination is very likely to happen during mining operations. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies inhaled talc that contains asbestos as "carcinogenic to humans."

In August 2022, Johnson & Johnson, one of the biggest talcum powder manufacturers worldwide, announced it would discontinue its baby powder globally in 2023, although the company insists the product does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. In April 2023, the manufacturer offered to settle tens of thousands of talcum powder lawsuits for $8.9 billion. These lawsuits claim Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder caused people to develop ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

This conflicting information has resulted in substantial consumer concern regarding the safety of talc-based products. Many people who have been diagnosed with cancer after using such items are left wondering whether they should get a legal practitioner involved. If you have been diagnosed with cancer after using talc-based products, you may be eligible to file a claim, especially if you have a consistent history of using such products over a significant time period.

If a particular talc product contains asbestos, this puts the consumer at risk of ovarian cancer

Most of the concerns have focused on whether long-term exposure to talc fibers might cause lung cancer among talc miners, and whether women who used the moisture-reducing agent for feminine hygiene had an increased risk of ovarian cancer. It has been suggested that talcum powder might cause ovarian cancer if the powder particles travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovaries.

While it was already reported in the literature that talc does not cause tumors in hamsters, a carcinogenesis inhalation bioassay of talc conducted in rats and mice by the U.S. National Toxicology Program in 1993 showed that it does not cause tumors in mice either, but induces some tumors in rats, especially female rats.

Consequently, there is an uprising concern about the use of talcum powder and the development of ovarian cancer, even though more research is necessary to find a definitive association between the two. The frequent use of talcum powder as a hygiene product is believed to be the culprit in this respect, since it may occasionally be asbestos-containing or asbestos-tainted.

Talcum powder contaminated with asbestos is also harmful to the lungs

Talc accumulated in the lungs, scratches the surface of tissue in the respiratory system, leading to scarring that blocks the absorption of oxygen, causing irreversible lung damage that, in the end, can be fatal. Chronic inflammation caused by breathing in talcum powder can induce respiratory cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The small asbestos fibers in talcum powder can become lodged in the lining of the lungs, causing the sharp fibers to puncture healthy cells and mutate into mesothelioma. Some studies of talc miners and millers have suggested a link between talc and lung cancer risk. According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, inhaling particles of the substance can cause DNA damage that leads to lung cancer.

The use of talc powder and other types of cancer

Although not all possible links with other types of cancers have been studied extensively, some studies have demonstrated possible risks:

Diagnosed with cancer after using talcum powder? Contact Atraxia Law today

If you believe your cancer diagnosis is the result of using talcum powder, we encourage you to contact our expert team, as we have over 35 years in evaluating personal injury claims. Your involvement in the process will be minimal, as we understand that struggling with cancer can be physically and emotionally draining. Our experts will assess your situation to determine whether you are eligible to file a talcum powder claim.