Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral that contains elements like magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc is used in a wide variety of products, from packaging chewing gum to forming the base of baby powder and many cosmetics. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of talc in personal care products for many decades, many experienced Texas personal injury lawyers are concerned about reports that the use of talc may be linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Studies of the use of talcum powder and the risk of ovarian cancer date back to the 1960s. However, since the sample sizes and methods used in these studies vary greatly, it can be difficult to pinpoint whether a link actually exists between talc use and ovarian cancer. Studies performed in the past decade, however, suggest that if talc is used in the genital area, it may travel into the fallopian tubes or the ovaries, where it can cause irritation that may contribute to cancer’s development or growth.
If you or someone you love has had ovarian cancer, the doctors probably focused more on treating the disease than on determining exactly what caused it. However, the lab reports and medical records used to identify and treat the disease may also be helpful in determining what might have caused it – including whether or not talc was present in the body.
Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease. Although it accounts for only 1.4 percent of all new cancer cases in the U.S. each year, it is the cause of 2.4 percent of all cancer-related deaths, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
If you believe you or a loved one developed ovarian cancer as a result of using a product that contained talcum powder, you may be eligible to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. To discuss your options, please contact Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP for a free, informative case evaluation. Call (214) 231-0555.
