Talcum Powder Risk of Ovarian Cancer May Disproportionately Affect African American Women

As hundreds of women throughout the United States pursue Johnson’s Baby Powder lawsuits and Shower-to-Shower powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, alleging that inadequate warnings were provided about the risk of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder products, it appears that African American women may be disproportionately impacted by the problems since the manufacturer specifically targeted the community with marketing efforts.

Although talcum powder is most commonly associated with use as a baby powder to prevent diaper rash among infants, the products have been aggressively marketed for decades to adult women for use in their underwear and around the genitals to provide “personal freshness.” A number of observers and critics have pointed out that African American women were often the focus of these advertisements.

In March, a St. Louis jury awarded the family of Jackie Fox $72 million in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by her family against Johnson & Johnson, involving allegations that she died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s talcum powder around her genitals for years for odor control.

Fox was black, as are many of the other women currently pursuing talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson.

For centuries, African American women have faced false, racially motivated and cruel allegations regarding feminine odor, which have had far-reaching cultural consequences, according to many experts. These came in addition to slurs regarding their looks, hair, intelligence and temperament.

In an editorial published last month by Time Magazine, Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley, an associate professor of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas, highlighted how corporations have preyed on African American women’s victimization at the hands of both racism and misogyny. This has included promotion of talcum powder and other products for genital odor, which may have placed African American women at a risk of cancer in their reproductive organs.

Last year, a study conducted by researchers at George Washington University found that vaginal douching products were used twice as frequently by black women than they were by white women. The study found that not only did this practice prevent the detection of vaginal infections and other health problems, but researchers also found that many vaginal douching products contained chemicals known as phthalates, which also have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

The first studies linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer were conducted in the 1970s and 80s. Researchers first found talc particles buried deep in ovarian tumors in 1971. That was followed by a 1982 study by a Brigham & Women’s Hospital researcher who found an increased risk of ovarian cancer with genital talcum powder use.

During the trial for the talcum powder case brought by the Fox family, internal Johnson & Johnson memos and documents were presented to the jury, which highlighted how the company knew about the potential ovarian cancer risk for years. However, the talcum powder warnings provided with Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower suggest that users only need to worry about avoiding contact with their eyes, inhaling the powder or applying to areas of broken skin.

Similar evidence was presented in a second trial that ended earlier this month, involving a lawsuit filed by Gloria Ristesund, which resulted in a $55 million verdict for ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder.

A third trial is expected to begin in the coming weeks, involving Tenesha Farrar, who is a 40 year woman diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer from talcum powder in 2013. Like Fox, Farrar is also an African American.