A recent study has found that women who routinely used talcum powder around their genitals increased their risk of ovarian cancer by 33 percent.
The Epidemiology report obtained the results by asking over 2,000 women with ovarian cancer and 2,100 women without ovarian cancer about their usage of talcum powder, according to a Reuters Health article.
Those that regularly applied the powder to their crotch, underwear, and tampons increased their risk of ovarian cancer by one-third, the study found.
Talc is a mineral powder that absorbs moisture, and is used in several hygiene products such as Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower.
Earlier this month, the medical device company was ordered to pay $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, who died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products for years.
“Talc is a good drying agent, but women should know that if it’s used repeatedly, it can get into the vagina and into their upper genital tract,” said Dr. Daniel W. Cramer, lead author in the study. “I think if they knew that, they wouldn’t use it.”
Every year, around 14,500 women die from ovarian cancer.
Leave a Reply