The number of personal injury lawsuits alleging that Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower causes ovarian cancer is on the rise. Three new lawsuits have been filed in Missouri, New Jersey, and Georgia. The allegations from these baby powder cancer lawsuits each involve claims that the talcum powder products caused women to develop ovarian cancer.

The first Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit was filed last fall.  That case was also about a woman who developed ovarian cancer allegedly after using talcum powder.  In the first lawsuit, the jury found that Johnson & Johnson was negligent and failed to warn the woman that it was dangerous to use the talcum-based powder on her genital area.

The potential link between talcum powder and cancer has been the subject of more than 20 research studies.

One of the most recent studies, done in 2009, was led by Dr. Margaret Gates from Harvard Medical School. The study found that women who used talcum powder around their genital area had a 40 percent higher risk of getting ovarian cancer.  Researchers had compiled their results based on the data they collected from the Nurse’s Health Study (NHS) and data from the New England Case-Control Study (NECC).

Meanwhile, class action lawyers are continuing to review hundreds of complaints that have been submitted regarding ovarian cancer developing from talcum powder. Legal experts state that Johnson & Johnson may be found liable for many of these claims because they did not warn consumers of this possible side effect.

Overview of Baby Powder Cancer Concerns

Talcum powder is made from the mineral talc, which is composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. The powder is designed to absorb moisture and prevent friction, and is typically used to treat dry skin, and to prevent rashes. However, for the past several decades, there has been concern over the possible connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

There have been several studies conducted to investigate this matter, but the findings have been mixed; some studies found only a small increase, while other studies found a significant increase. Researchers are still trying to determine if cancer is more likely due to the amount of exposure, or the duration. One study conducted in 2003 observed among women using talc and non-talc powders, women who used the talcum powder were found to have a 30 percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Cancer researchers state that even if there is a risk from talcum powder it is likely small, but the possibility still needs to be on the label for liability purposes.