There are currently talcum powder issues where women, with a history of usage of 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 determined a link between long-term genital usage of talcum powder and cancer. In June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that determined females that have a history of using talc containing powder on their genital areas have a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of contracting ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific studies, expert testimony, and factual evidence, a jury in St. Louis determined that Johnson & Johnson neglected to warn consumers regarding the risk of ovarian cancer connected with the genital region usage of its talc-based powders. Company documents shared during the trial show that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the studies and tried to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in compensation to the family of a woman who died from 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 describe a potential connection between talc and ovarian cancer was reported in 1971. Chronicled were pathology observations of tissue samples from 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers noticed talc in every one of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had migrated from her external genitalia to her internal organs. 11 years later, an study conducted by Dr. Cramer of Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical link between a history of genital talc containing powder use and ovarian cancer.
Results of the study show an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s study appeared in the August 12, 1982 issue of The New York Times. The study examined the wellness history and genital talc usage of 215 women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and measured them to women who did not use talc. The results showed an association between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Over the continuing years, more than fifteen studies have shown that long-term, regular, genital use of talc-containing powder by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though a few studies have implied no connection between the use of baby powder and ovarian cancer, those studies have been discredited for not taking into account the length of time and regularity of talc use which is the only correct measure 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 about asbestos contaminated talc that dates back several decades and that the company conducted an intense campaign to suppress test results, scientific details 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 re-focused much of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos litigation and claims focus on work, military and industrial-related exposure to asbestos, and asbestos containing products as a source of mesothelioma, the ever increasing 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 legal landscape is evolving and being joined by numerous women that have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Additional News About Ovarian Cancer Ovarian Cancer and Its Subtypes Ovarian cancer is a broad phrase that includes several subtypes which are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. Most ovarian cancer is found in the epithelium, that is the layer of tissue which surrounds the ovary. Approximately 90% of all ovarian cancers are observed in the epithelium. There are several subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers which includes serous cell and endometrioid.
Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A low percent of ovarian cancer issues start in the peritoneum that is bodily tissue which is separate and away from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a thin membrane that surrounds, protects, and assists in supporting the stomach organs including all of the reproductive organs.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancers The most frequent type of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all that are located in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that covers the ovary. In this group are the following subtypes:
Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer This is the most frequent subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately sixty percent of newly discovered cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is frequently 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 connection to the endometrium, which is the membrane which is the interior lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer might often develop in conjunction with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities affecting the endometrium such as endometriosis.
Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated Those 3 are less frequent subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for diagnostic purposes, the prescribed treatment for each of them is similar.
Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers Peritoneal ovarian cancer originates outside of the ovaries, in one or more areas of the peritoneum tissue. It might spread to other areas in the abdomen which includes, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that surrounds, guards, and assists in the supporting of the abdominal organs including, 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 covers 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 could occur in any location in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.
Peritoneal ovarian cancer usually means that cancer cells are present in both the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum communicate with each other and, in this case, cancer cells could migrate, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.
Staging of Ovarian Cancers When ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to understand its severity and possible treatment options. A frequent 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 limited to the inside of the ovary. There’s no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites appearing containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IB — Growth is limited to both ovaries minus any tumor on their outer area. There are no ascites appearing containing talcum powder lawsuit . 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 present on the outside area of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites that contain malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.
Stage II — Presence 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 expanded 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 — Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are appearing: the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has expanded 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 practitioner can observe cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, but no cancer is grossly noticeable in the abdomen and it has not expanded to lymph nodes. However, when biopsies are observed on a microscope, very small amounts of cancer are found in the abdominal peritoneal areas.
Stage IIIB — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are present in the abdomen that are big enough for the surgeon to see but not bigger than 1 inch in diameter. The cancer has not expanded 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 deposits of cancer are bigger than 1 inch in size and are discovered in the abdomen.
Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries and distant metastases have happened. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is additionally evidence of stage IV disease.
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