Talcum Powder Cancer

For decades, many women used talcum powder products, such as Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, for feminine hygiene purposes. However, scientific research has suggested a potential link between talcum powder use in the genital area and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Lawsuits allege that talc manufacturers, particularly Johnson & Johnson, were aware of studies indicating this risk but failed to warn consumers. In October 2023, Johnson & Johnson reached a $6.475 billion settlement agreement to resolve most talcum powder lawsuits after their previous attempts to handle the litigation through bankruptcy were rejected by courts. The controversy centers around the potential contamination of talc with asbestos (a known carcinogen) due to the natural proximity of these minerals in the earth, as well as concerns about talc particles themselves traveling to the ovaries and causing inflammation that may lead to cancer.