Ovarian Cancer and Talc.

[LPorter]

I am curious how many of you guys were "intimate users" of baby powder prior to your diagnosis. For me it was something I did for 35 years or more can't help thinking if only....

[Katmal-UK]

Id have to say Ive never used talc, well may have done as a baby!

[Minniemay]

I did...used Shower to Shower for several years, but not in the last 5 or so years. I don't get how it can be related to ovarian cancer, unless one is trying to put it places where it shouldn't be put!

[Flamingobeef18]

I am afraid that I have used talcum powder daily including my nether regions for as long as I can remember. My daughters are convinced that it is associated with my ovarian cancer.

I was totally unaware of any link until after my diagnosis. Although I now know that it had been suspected for many years and in the states Johnson and Johnson changed their formulation to a safer one some time ago. Unfortunately to this day talc in the UK has not been improved and no warnings appear.

It is my understanding that the risk is not related to any misuse but is due to such light small particles of powder being able to travel deep into the body cavity. Originally when these deposits were found they were blamed on talc from the surgeons gloves. However nowadays when gloves no longer have talc deposits continue to be found.

[Boot1947]

I also used talc 'down there' 😉. But I'm also BRCA1+, so maybe that had more to do with getting ovarian cancer (and certainly Johnson & Johnson would argue that!). Deb

[Rosewall101]

It's a hard one. I've read about talc and links to ovarian cancer but it's confused isn't it. I've never used talc but here I am.

T. X

[indego]

I'm of the mind that if talc increased our risk significantly (higher than a statistical anomaly) then the 50+ years of study would have found a conclusive link by now.

I'm also of the mind that if talc is a contributing factor, then surely it would also impact lungs, and breathing passages. A large amount of talc mine workers have ended up with cancer from asbestos, which contaminate talc, but miners from uncontaminated mines never seem to have gotten sicker than average non-mine workers.

As for Johnson and Johnson getting sued, it was a civil trial, meaning all the woman's family had to do was to make the jury feel like they deserved compensation, and the jury would side with them. A grieving family or a cooperation? Who would you give money to?

There's also the fact that until the late 90s, virtually every baby in the western world was exposed to talc in baby powder. There's now a range of non-talc options... But how many of our mothers were using them 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago?

If talc was a cause of ovarian cancer, surely the rates would be a lot higher than a statical blimp that pops up on every second or third trial that's been done over 50 years?

I don't see any harm in avoiding talc, but I do feel a lot of the press surrounding talc and OC is more about finding something to blame than finding a cause.

cancercouncil.com.au/86105/...

fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsI...

[PhillipandBettykid]

I have never done it and have the dreaded disease so think it is not simple as to causes. Or maybe it just happens.

[lesleysage]

I am sure I sent for a leaflet on this when newly diagnosed five years ago - from Ovacome, I'm sure, so it could be worth checking their leaflet list.

[MsLizD]

Yes, I used to use talc very freely for years. I have always been convinced that this was the cause of me having OC.

Was telling my research nurse who has recently had a baby. She was saying that the mother and baby classes actually tell the parents about the possible link.

I have heard about a law suite in America about the link between OC and talc. The case was successful.

[airfemale]

Hi, I contacted a solicitor here in Australia to enquire whether there was a class action happening here but none is happening at this time. I used talc in my stockings for years as a long haul flight attendant it kept me fresher longer. I was asked about talc when I was diagnosed and didn't connect with it till a few months ago. I think we all just have to sit vack and watch but for many of us we may not have that luxury.

[maz54]

Yes I also used talc for years - my oncologist said to me that it could possibly be classed as a precipitating factor but not a definitive cause if that makes sense?

[Hidden]

I have used talc for 40+ years and still do......

[welshdoll]

I have never used talc either x

[linderruth]

I used talc in my nether regions for a number of years. I think that it can be a cause although there are others, just as smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. I've been pretty well convinced by the evidence I've read about. Haven't checked the links above, but I'm headed there now. Here in the states lawyers are quite keen to build class groups for class action suits. There are frequent ads on the tv and on Facebook asking users with ovacan to contact some law firm or other. I am hesitant to respond because I don't know what all would be involved, and it has been a few years since I used it. I don't know how one proves the use. If anyone knows more about it, I'd love to hear. I think Johnson & Johnson's behavior has been reprehensible, much like big tobacco 40 years ago.

[linderruth]

Okay, I checked out the links that are posted. The one from the Cancer Council which calls for more research before conclusions are made is more up to date and less suspect that the one from the FDA. The FDA is notoriously in bed with Big Pharm (that would include Johnson & Johnson's, right?) and would want to protect them. Their data is also from a study published in 2014, and involves only asbestos. What does that prove? That there's nothing else in talc that could cause cancer? I am not claiming to know the truth about this situation, but I am very skeptical about the FDA. You know, it's ironic that I used Shower to Shower for freshening to avoid using douches or sprays, which I had read health warnings about.

I do hope this can be proved conclusively one way or the other.

Linda

[Sue-m]

I have used talc since a baby. I still use it, just can't get out of the habit and it's too late to stop now. I must admit, I don't use it down below now and have advised my granddaughters not to use it. I think there may be a possible connection but who knows!

[Elaine2016]

Never used it once I did my own bathing. So only link would if it was caused by use by mothers on babies.

My view is we have a world full of poisons so there is no escape, it's gone too far I am afraid.

[slfranklin]

I used powder also and like you have questioned whether this was the cause. I did read as I was trying to gather information that many condoms used to contain talc which could have been how it reaches internal areas. I commented on one post on Facebook regarding talc and ovarian cancer and was surprised how rude people are who said I was stupid to use it and I was asking to get cancer and deserved it if I was that stupid.