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Talc Powder and Ovarian Cancer
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There is currently talcum powder lawsuits where women, with a history of using talc products; Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Body Powder on their genitals, were found to have ovarian cancer. Scientific research and the World Health Organization have identified a link between long-term genital use of talcum powder and cancer. During June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that determined females that have a history of using talc-containing powder on their genital region have a twenty to thirty percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific determination, expert opinion, and factual evidence, a court in St. Louis found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn people regarding the risk of ovarian cancer associated with the genital area use of its talc-based powders. Company documents disclosed during the trial show that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the studies and attempted to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in compensation to the family of a woman who succumbed to ovarian cancer and had a history of using Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder.
The Correlation Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific paper to outline a potential link between talc and ovarian cancer appeared in 1971. Chronicled were pathology examinations of tissue samples from ten women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers discovered talc in each of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had moved from her external genitalia to her internal organs. 11 years later, an epidemiological study conducted by Dr. Daniel Cramer of Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical association between a history of genital talc containing product use and ovarian cancer.
Results of the study show an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s research appeared in the August 1982 edition of The New York Times. The study examined the health history and genital talc usage of 215 women that were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and compared them to women who did not use talc. The results showed a link between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Across the continuing years, no fewer than 15 studies have demonstrated that long-term, frequent, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though a few studies have implied no link between the use of baby powder and ovarian cancer, these studies have been discredited for not holding into account both length of time and frequency of talc use which is the only proper measurement of a woman’s exposure to talc.
Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
During the formal discovery portion of recent litigation involving Johnson & Johnson, documents have come to light that reveal company concerns over asbestos contaminated talc dating back several decades and that the company fought an intense effort to suppress test results, scientific papers and other information that talc in its Baby Powder® contained asbestos. The fact that Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower® body powder, as well as other brands of talc containing products might have been contaminated with asbestos, has focused most of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos litigation and claims focus on work, military and industrial-related risk to asbestos, and asbestos containing products as causing mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focused on the link between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.
Focusing on both the factual and scientific connections between exposure to asbestos contaminated talc powders and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the litigation is continuing to evolve and being joined by many women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
More Information Regarding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and The Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a general phrase that combines several subtypes which are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. The majority of ovarian cancer is located in the epithelium, which is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. About 90% of all ovarian cancers are located in the epithelium. There are various subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers including serous cell and endometrioid.
Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A small percentage of ovarian cancer issues originate in the peritoneum which is bodily tissue that is separate and distinct from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and assists in supporting the abdominal organs including all of the reproductive organs.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancers
The most common types of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all of which are found in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. In this group are the following subtypes:
Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
This is the most common subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately 60% of newly found cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is commonly classified as either low-grade or high-grade depending upon the nuclei and mitotic characteristics of the cells.
Endometrioid ovarian cancer
This subtype is known from its relationship to the endometrium, that is the membrane which is the interior lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer might frequently develop in connection with other cancers, diseases, or issues which may affect the endometrium such as endometriosis.
Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
These 3 are less common subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for diagnostic purposes, the prescribed treatment for each is similar.
Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer starts outside of the ovaries, in one or more locations of the peritoneum tissue. It could spread to other locations in the abdomen including, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and assists in the supporting of the abdominal organs which includes, for women, the uterus and each of the other female reproductive organs. The peritoneum includes epithelial cells and, in this way, is similar to the epithelium tissue that encapsulates the ovaries. Because of this, treatment of epithelial and peritoneal cancers is commonly similar. However, peritoneal cancer can be confined to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It may develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer can occur anywhere in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.
Peritoneal ovarian cancer generally is defined as cancer cells are present in each of the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum signal each other and, in this case, cancer cells may migrate, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When talc lawsuit appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.
Staging of Ovarian Cancers
Once ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to understand its severity and potential treatment options. A common ovarian cancer staging protocol is as follows:
Stage I — Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.
Stage IA — Presence is limited to one ovary while the tumor is confined to the interior of the ovary. There is no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites appearing that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IB — Presence is confined to both ovaries without any tumor on their outer surfaces. There are no ascites observed that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is observed on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.
Stage II — Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.
Stage IIA — The cancer has extended to and includes the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.
Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.
Stage IIC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is appearing on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.
Stage III — Presence of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are present: the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant migration to the small bowel or omentum.
Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the doctor might observe cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly visible in the abdomen and it has not expanded to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are checked on a microscope, very small deposits of cancer are found in the abdominal peritoneal surfaces.
Stage IIIB — The cancer is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are present in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to observe but not exceeding 1 inch in diameter. The cancer has not migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage IIIC — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 1 inch in size and are found in the abdomen.
Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries and distant metastases have occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is additionally evidence of stage IV disease.
The Correlation Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific paper to outline a potential link between talc and ovarian cancer appeared in 1971. Chronicled were pathology examinations of tissue samples from ten women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers discovered talc in each of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had moved from her external genitalia to her internal organs. 11 years later, an epidemiological study conducted by Dr. Daniel Cramer of Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical association between a history of genital talc containing product use and ovarian cancer.
Results of the study show an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s research appeared in the August 1982 edition of The New York Times. The study examined the health history and genital talc usage of 215 women that were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and compared them to women who did not use talc. The results showed a link between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Across the continuing years, no fewer than 15 studies have demonstrated that long-term, frequent, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though a few studies have implied no link between the use of baby powder and ovarian cancer, these studies have been discredited for not holding into account both length of time and frequency of talc use which is the only proper measurement of a woman’s exposure to talc.
Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
During the formal discovery portion of recent litigation involving Johnson & Johnson, documents have come to light that reveal company concerns over asbestos contaminated talc dating back several decades and that the company fought an intense effort to suppress test results, scientific papers and other information that talc in its Baby Powder® contained asbestos. The fact that Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower® body powder, as well as other brands of talc containing products might have been contaminated with asbestos, has focused most of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos litigation and claims focus on work, military and industrial-related risk to asbestos, and asbestos containing products as causing mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focused on the link between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.
Focusing on both the factual and scientific connections between exposure to asbestos contaminated talc powders and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the litigation is continuing to evolve and being joined by many women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
More Information Regarding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and The Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a general phrase that combines several subtypes which are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. The majority of ovarian cancer is located in the epithelium, which is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. About 90% of all ovarian cancers are located in the epithelium. There are various subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers including serous cell and endometrioid.
Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A small percentage of ovarian cancer issues originate in the peritoneum which is bodily tissue that is separate and distinct from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and assists in supporting the abdominal organs including all of the reproductive organs.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancers
The most common types of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all of which are found in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. In this group are the following subtypes:
Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
This is the most common subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately 60% of newly found cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is commonly classified as either low-grade or high-grade depending upon the nuclei and mitotic characteristics of the cells.
Endometrioid ovarian cancer
This subtype is known from its relationship to the endometrium, that is the membrane which is the interior lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer might frequently develop in connection with other cancers, diseases, or issues which may affect the endometrium such as endometriosis.
Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
These 3 are less common subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for diagnostic purposes, the prescribed treatment for each is similar.
Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer starts outside of the ovaries, in one or more locations of the peritoneum tissue. It could spread to other locations in the abdomen including, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and assists in the supporting of the abdominal organs which includes, for women, the uterus and each of the other female reproductive organs. The peritoneum includes epithelial cells and, in this way, is similar to the epithelium tissue that encapsulates the ovaries. Because of this, treatment of epithelial and peritoneal cancers is commonly similar. However, peritoneal cancer can be confined to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It may develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer can occur anywhere in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.
Peritoneal ovarian cancer generally is defined as cancer cells are present in each of the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum signal each other and, in this case, cancer cells may migrate, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When talc lawsuit appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.
Staging of Ovarian Cancers
Once ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to understand its severity and potential treatment options. A common ovarian cancer staging protocol is as follows:
Stage I — Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.
Stage IA — Presence is limited to one ovary while the tumor is confined to the interior of the ovary. There is no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites appearing that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IB — Presence is confined to both ovaries without any tumor on their outer surfaces. There are no ascites observed that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is observed on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.
Stage II — Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.
Stage IIA — The cancer has extended to and includes the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.
Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.
Stage IIC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is appearing on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.
Stage III — Presence of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are present: the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant migration to the small bowel or omentum.
Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the doctor might observe cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly visible in the abdomen and it has not expanded to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are checked on a microscope, very small deposits of cancer are found in the abdominal peritoneal surfaces.
Stage IIIB — The cancer is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are present in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to observe but not exceeding 1 inch in diameter. The cancer has not migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage IIIC — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 1 inch in size and are found in the abdomen.
Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries and distant metastases have occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is additionally evidence of stage IV disease.
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