Talcum Powder and Cancer: What You Need to Know
Baby powder has been used for over 100 years. When you buy a product to use on your baby, especially one that has been around for that long, you expect that it will be safe to use. Unfortunately, not all products on the market are completely safe. In fact, we are now finding that many companies that we have trusted over the years have been putting out products that are harmful to our babies and ourselves. In recent years, it has been discovered that baby powder contains talcum powder. Talcum powder contains substances that are extremely harmful and may cause certain kinds of cancer.
Baby Powder – What’s the Danger?
For many decades, people have been using baby powder for keeping skin dry and irritations down. Not only used for diaper rashes, it can be used for adults as well. One of the ingredients of talcum powder is talc. Talc is a mineral that is mined from the earth and usually is found around asbestos in the same mineral formations. As such, asbestos is often found in talc. Asbestos is a known carcinogen and has caused many health problems in people for a long time.
Talc is made up of magnesium, oxygen, hydrogen and silicon. It absorbs excess moisture and is a common ingredient in many products, including makeup and baby powder.
The problem with this, and why there has been so much in the news, is that people who have used baby powder on their bodies have had the chance of asbestos getting into them via the baby powder. Baby powder is often used in the genital area and as such, can enter the blood stream through entering the body in those areas. When used on baby to keep him or her dry or an adult for hygienic purposes, this can be quite dangerous.
Additionally, talc can be breathed in via the lungs. In the 1960’s it was reported to keep talc away from babies as their lungs are delicate and susceptible to choking if breathing the talc in.
The Cancer Risk
Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly cancers of the reproductive system. Couple that with the fact that the symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and can also be caused by many other common conditions. Some symptoms are bloating, feeling full quickly, changes in bowel habits, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and pelvic discomfort. Some other women may show no symptoms at all.
There is also the issue that there is no real screening for ovarian cancer like the Pap test for cervical cancer or the mammogram for breast cancer. Because of this, ovarian cancer is often caught at later stages, causing the survival rate to decrease.
Others can be diagnosed with lung cancer as well, from the use of talcum powder. As the talc can be inhaled, the asbestos can wreak havoc in a persons lungs. You’ve heard of mesothelioma in the news, and this is one way it can develop.
Are You at Risk?
If you have used products with talc minerals in them, you could be at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Talc minerals aren’t just in baby powder. It has been found in sanitary napkins, tampons, makeup like blush and eyeshadow and more. Be mindful of what products you are using and make sure to read the labels to see if you have been exposed.
If you feel like you have been exposed, it is important to pay attention to any symptoms of ovarian cancer and always be sure to consult a physician.
Modern Day Talc Products
Before 1970, talc mined from the earth was often contaminated. Today, manufacturers of talc products now use asbestos-free silicate minerals and often cornstarch in their products. However, the minerals that make talc cannot be broken down over time. If the minerals embed themselves in the reproductive organs, the particles will remain there. Organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic area lymph nodes will still contain those minerals if a biopsy is taken- even many years later.
Why Am I Learning All of This Now?
Recently, Johnson & Johnson, a major manufacturer of talc products have settled a lawsuit with a group of women who have suffered from the use of their product. There have been many more ovarian cancer lawsuits which have created many news headlines.
The reason is that Johnson & Johnson has been accused of misrepresenting that talc is unsafe for use. They never disclosed that on their products so people had gone decades using something that was harming them.
Currently, there are thousands of lawsuits across state and federal courts based on the use of baby powder and talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
Amourgis & Associates Can Help
You may be eligible for a lawsuit if you have developed ovarian cancer as a result of using talcum powder. Our attorneys are ready to talk to you about how we can get started. It is important that you seek out immediate medical attention so that you can maintain your health. You will also need to notify your physician of your diagnosis and report to the Food and Drug Administration. After all that is done, give us a call to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. We are here to help you get fairly compensated! 1-844-280-0843.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
