Talcum Powder May Be Linked to Mesothelioma Cancer in Women
Inhalable asbestos fibers found in certain talcum powder products may cause women to develop mesothelioma, a deadly type of lung cancer.
According to the findings of a new study, side effects of certain brands of talc-based cosmetic products may put women at risk for mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other internal organs. In a study published in the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health in October, U.S. researchers found that a popular brand of talcum powder, which remained unidentified in the report, may release inhalable asbestos fibers, which may have caused the mesothelioma death of at least one woman. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, and you believe talcum powder or another potentially defective product to be the cause, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help put you in touch with a reputable attorney who has experience handling mesothelioma claims.
Talcum Powder Linked to Ovarian Cancer
The talcum powder study was conducted following the release of reports linking talcum powder and talc-based baby powders to the development of ovarian cancer in women. According to mounting research, women who used talc-based baby powders or after-shower body powders for feminine hygiene purposes may be at risk of the talc traveling through the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and into the ovaries, possibly causing ovarian cancer. According to the researchers involved in this talcum powder study, women who use Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder or Shower-to-Shower body powder may also be at risk for the development of mesothelioma cancer, whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust.
Mesothelioma From Exposure to Asbestos
Most cases of mesothelioma in the United States have been diagnosed in workers exposed to asbestos on the job decades ago, before the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was fully understood. Today, the use of asbestos in building materials and other products is heavily restricted in the U.S., due to the known health risks associated with the material, but research shows that some consumer products, such as certain talc-based baby powders and body powders may still contain asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a very long latency period, and the cancer often isn’t diagnosed until it’s at a very advanced stage, at which point life-expectancy is very short.
Talcum Powder Used on Babies, Among Women
Concerns about the potential link between talcum powder and mesothelioma stretch back decades to 1972, when a Baltimore county Health Department Public Health Officer named Barry Castleman requested that federal regulators investigate the use of asbestos in talcum powder products. In this latest study, the researchers wrote, “This brand of talcum powder contained asbestos and the application of talcum powder released inhalable asbestos fibers. Lung and lymph node tissues removed at autopsy revealed pleural mesothelioma.” Because talc-based powders are so commonly used for feminine hygiene purposes among women, and to prevent diaper rash in babies, this study raises serious concerns about the potential risk of mesothelioma cancer among all users of talcum powder products.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000081[/box]