Study Confirms Perineal Talc May Cause Uterine Fibroids

Researchers agree that talc does not have to contain asbestos to cause ovarian cancer and that the mineral is a health hazard

Friday, April 2, 2021 - In recent years, women's gynecological concerns have taken center stage during Johnson's Baby Powder ovarian cancer trials. Two types of plaintiff expert witnesses have been called. One type is microscope researchers that have used more sensitive talc asbestos testing methods. Another group of experts is gynecologists specializing in the female reproductive system and can explain the medical science that supports a plaintiff's baby powder cancer allegations. The latter doctors have expressed concern that there could be a connection between using perineal talc and developing uterine fibroids, a potential precursor to malignant ovarian cancer. A recent paper published in Contemporary OBGYN looked at the potential causes of uterine fibroid tumors in Black Women specifically. The author of the piece explained the reason for targeting this demographic in the study in the first line of his report. "As there is a higher rate of uterine fibroids among Black women, researchers seek to find the cause." Interesting to note is the connection between women of color and the ovarian cancer allegation by those using Johnson's Baby Powder. Johnson & Johnson is accused in lawsuits that claim that starting around 1971, the company deliberately targeted African American women with their Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower beauty care products. Talcum powder cancer lawsuits are represented by top national attorneys with a winning track record litigating against big corporations.

The Contemporary author writes about a study that was recently published in the Journal of Women's Health that claims that "Younger Black women who use perineal talc are more prone to develop uterine fibroids (UFs), according to a cross-sectional study in the Journal of Women's Health. Black women are at an increased risk of developing fibroids, but the cause is unclear. Douching and perineal talc use are common lifestyle exposures among Black women, and could be risk factors for fibroid development." The author concluded by confirming the connection between the use of perineal talc and fibers that can enter the vagina, travel up the Fallopian tubes, and become permanently lodged in the ovaries where they can irritate and lead to cancer. "The study's findings of increased UF prevalence among perineal talc users might be attributed to talc fibers potentially entering the uterine tissue, thereby causing damage and inflammation," the author wrote.

Witnesses testifying during Daubert hearings on the efficacy of talc asbestos testing told a federal judge that particles of talc had been found in the biopsied ovaries of women with ovarian cancer. Researchers concluded that women who use perineal talc were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer. According to the National Institute of Health, "We analyzed case-control data collected over 16 years on talc use and epithelial ovarian cancer risk. Talc used regularly in the genital area was associated with a 33% increase in ovarian cancer risk overall." Finally, the American Cancer Society at Cancer.org wrote that talc could be considered carcinogenic. "Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."