Baby powder contains talc, a soft mineral similar to asbestos. When adult women sprinkle it on their genitals, studies have found a 25% higher rate of endometrial cancer. Lawsuits accuse Johnson & Johnson of downplaying this risk.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting talcum powder induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Baby Powder & Endometrial Cancer Information
Studies Linking Baby Powder and Endometrial Cancer
What is the Problem?
Baby Powder Endometrial Cancer Lawsuits
Talcum Powder Linked to 25% Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer
What is Endometrial Cancer?
What is the Risk?
Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer
Treatment for Endometrial Cancer
Do I Have a Baby Powder Lawsuit?
Studies Linking Baby Powder and Endometrial Cancer
In 2003, a meta-analysis of 16 studies found a 30% higher risk of ovarian cancer in adult women who reported using talcum powder genitally. Based on this information, international health organizations classified talc as “possibly carcinogenic” when used genitally.
Recent studies have found higher rates of other gynecological cancers, including endometrial cancer. In fact, studies dating back to the 1970s found particles of talc in uterine tissue from women with ovarian cancer, proving talc can migrate through the reproductive system. Talc particles may also promote low-level irritation that increases the long-term risk of cancer.
What is the problem?
The problem is that major manufacturers of talcum powder products — such as Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower — have continued to market their products toward adult women without providing any warnings about the risk of cancer.
Baby Powder Endometrial Cancer Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson is facing over 2,000 lawsuits from women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer. In St. Louis, trials in February 2016 ended in a $72 million award to the family of a woman who died of cancer. Just three months later, another jury awarded $55 million to a woman who survived cancer.
Talc Linked to 25% Higher Risk of Endometrial Cancer
In May 2010, Cancer Epidemiology published a study (PDF) that found a 21% increased risk of endometrial cancer in women who had ever used talcum powder genitally — especially post-menopausal women. The risk was 24% higher for women who used it at least once a week, and slightly higher for women who used it more often.
What is Endometrial Cancer?
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. It starts in the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus (womb) in women.
What is the risk?
In the general population, 2.8% of women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. In 2016, approximately 60,000 new cases will be diagnosed and 10,500 women will die from it, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Spotting/bleeding after menopause
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pelvic cramps
- Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause
Diagnosis
Endometrial cancer is diagnosed with a tissue sample (biopsy) that is examined under a microscope. In a physical exam, a doctor may notice an abnormal size or shape of the uterus or nearby organs. The cancer often spreads to the cervix, ovaries, lymph nodes in the pelvis, bowel, bladder, or other abdominal organs.
Treatment
Treatments depend on how far endometrial cancer has progressed when it is diagnosed. In the early stages, it can be cured with surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy). After it has spread to other organs (metastasized), treatments are less successful. Patients may undergo radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy.
Do I have a Baby Powder Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting talcum powder induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
