There’s Talc in That Product, Too?

Two juries have now awarded plaintiffs a combined $127 million in damages in lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, after finding a link between their talc cosmetic powder and ovarian cancer. Both plaintiffs used J&J’s Shower to Shower, a talc-based feminine hygiene product. It might surprise you to learn, however, that talc is a very popular ingredient in cosmetics. While most of us associate it with baby powder, it is actually found in a number of different products:

• Face powders and foundation
• Blush
• Eye shadow
• Body powder
• Lipstick and lip gloss
• Deodorant

Not all cosmetics use talc, of course, but because of its absorbent properties, it is a popular choice for manufacturers. As of right now, no links have been found between these cosmetic products and cancer. It is likely, though, in light of the current lawsuits that more research may be done into the effects these types of cosmetics have on our bodies.

The problems with diagnosing ovarian cancer

Products like Shower to Shower are used for hygiene reasons – and that is where the problem lies. Ovarian cancer is one of the toughest cancers to diagnose and treat. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are facing an uphill battle when it comes to recovery from the beginning, because many do not realize they have it at all. It is diagnosed in stages:

• Stage I, where the cancer is only in the ovaries.
• Stage II, where it has spread to other organs, like the uterus or the bladder.
• Stage III, where it is has spread past the pelvis and into the abdomen lining or to the lymph nodes in the abdomen.
• Stage IV, where it has spread inside organs throughout the body.

Only 20% of women will be diagnosed in an early stage. This means that 80% of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer only after it has started to spread.

Why is diagnosing this disease so difficult? Because cancer is a tricky condition. Not every woman with ovarian cancer will have symptoms, and many who do will not realize what those symptoms mean. Look at it this way: if you are a woman in your 50s and you are undergoing menopause, you expect there to be changes in your menstrual cycle. You expect to feel tired. And you may chalk up other symptoms – bloating, constipation, etc. – as par for the course. Since an annual pap smear is likely not to detect any cancer, even women who attend regular checkups with their doctors may not be diagnosed. For women who do not have health insurance, who are in a lower income bracket, or who have been raised in a way to mistrust doctors, the chance of diagnosis is even slimmer.

We do not know of any risk of developing cancer using talc-based cosmetic products outside of powder, but we do know that time may be running out for women across the country who trusted the Johnson & Johnson brand. That is why the South Carolina defective drug attorneys of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, are currently accepting cases from around the country. We want to hear your story and fight for your future. To speak to an experienced mass tort lawyer at our firm, please fill out this form or call 803-327-7800. We are here to help.