J&J Failed to Warn About Talcum Body Powder Cancer Risks, Jury Rules

A South Dakota jury has determined that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about the risk of ovarian cancer from talcum powder products, but no damages were awarded in the case.  

The verdict was handed down last week in a product liability lawsuit brought by Deane Berg, 56, who developed ovarian cancer in 2006 after using Shower to Shower body powder for 30 years.

According to the lawsuit, Berg had no other risk factors for ovarian cancer. Three doctors who examined her cancer tissue found talc in the tissue using an electron microscope, and determined that her cancer was caused by Shower to Shower.

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Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Talcum powder or talc powder may cause women to develop ovarian cancer.

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During the trial in Sioux Falls, information was presented to the jury involving several studies that linked female genital exposure to talcum powder with an ovarian cancer risk. However, attorneys for Johnson & Johnson attempted to argue that the findings of the studies were never strong enough to justify an ovarian cancer label warning on talcum powder.

The jury found that the manufacturer did fail in its duty to warn the public about the potential cancer risks of body powder, but determined that the product was not defective without the warning and found that Johnson & Johnson was not liable for Berg’s ovarian cancer. As a result, no damages were awarded.

Harvard University’s Daniel Cramer, one of the doctors that examined Berg, has been looking into links between talc and ovarian cancer for 30 years. He testified that talcum powder probably caused 10,000 cases of ovarian cancer every year.

One report published in 1982 by the New York Times found that Johnson & Johnson was aware that studies indicated women were three times as likely to develop ovarian cancer if they used talcum powder on their genitals.

Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Promotions Under Investigation

The verdict comes shortly after the Mississippi Attorney General’s office launched an investigation into Johnson & Johnson’s promotion of talcum powder products for feminine hygiene. The state subpoenaed information on talcum powder promotions.

The subpoena comes following a study published in June in the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research, which indicated that women who use powder containing talc may have a 20% to 30% higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who do not. The study looked at data on about 2,000 women who used talcum powder on the genital area.

Other studies have also found that talc body powder applied to a woman’s genital area can travel through the vagina and into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. According to the American Cancer Society, the findings throughout the years are inconclusive, but if there is an increased risk it is likely to be ovarian cancer and small.

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4 Comments

  • CynthiaApril 22, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    ThanksJust finished my second round of chemo and radiation for Uterine Cancer. As a teen my job was mowing 6 yards in the neighborhood. I was gulled pretty much all summer and used lots of powder. Is this something I should look into. No evidence of this cancer in any family member.

  • PamNovember 23, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    To Mattie and Mara There is a powder called monkey butt and I believe gold Bond has a non-Tslc powder that is safe. My mom was diagnosed last week with primary peritoneal cancer she also has used powder for her entire life. In July of this year she was initially diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I am doing research on the findings of cancer cells and Talc.

  • MarraApril 4, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 57. She religiously used Johnson and Johnson baby powder as part of her feminine hygiene. I know that I was diapered with it as a baby. I automatically used it when changing my daughter's diapers. Fortunately, my daughter is only months old at this point and I will never use it on her again. I also threw every bottle of the stuff away after reading th[Show More]My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 57. She religiously used Johnson and Johnson baby powder as part of her feminine hygiene. I know that I was diapered with it as a baby. I automatically used it when changing my daughter's diapers. Fortunately, my daughter is only months old at this point and I will never use it on her again. I also threw every bottle of the stuff away after reading these articles.

  • MattieJanuary 12, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    I don't know if there is any truth to this, just heard about it today while watching TV. I have used J&J and Shower to Shower talc. I immediately went online to find any info pertaining to this, and it was very interesting. I recently had a biopsy to R/O ovarian cancer for some issues I was having. I don't know about any one else, but I immediately went in my bathroom and threw both of these p[Show More]I don't know if there is any truth to this, just heard about it today while watching TV. I have used J&J and Shower to Shower talc. I immediately went online to find any info pertaining to this, and it was very interesting. I recently had a biopsy to R/O ovarian cancer for some issues I was having. I don't know about any one else, but I immediately went in my bathroom and threw both of these products in the trash can!!! I will continue my own research, and share any findings of interest on my fb page.

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