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Talc Products and Ovarian Cancer
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There is currently talcum powder issues 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 studies and the WHO have identified an association between long-term genital use of talcum powder and cancer. During talcum powder lawsuit , Cancer Prevention Research published a study which concluded women that have a history of using talc-containing powder on their genital region have a 20 to 30 percent increase in risk of developing ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific determination, expert testimony, and factual evidence, a jury in St. Louis found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn people about the risk of ovarian cancer associated to the genital region use of its talc-based powders. Company documents shared during the trial indicate that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the research and attempted to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer and had a history of using Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder.
The Connection Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific research to describe a potential link between talc and ovarian cancer was reported in 1971. Detailed were pathology examinations of tissue samples from 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The scientists noticed talc in each of the tissue samples, an indication 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 Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical link between a history of genital talc containing product usage and ovarian cancer.
Results of the study reveal an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article about Dr. Cramer’s research appeared in the August 12, 1982 edition of The New York Times. The research examined the health history and genital talc usage of 215 women who 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. Over the ensuing years, no fewer than fifteen studies have shown that long term, frequent, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though some studies have implied no connection between the usage of baby powder and ovarian cancer, those studies have been criticized for not holding into account both length of time and regularity of talc usage 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 worries over asbestos contaminated talc dating back several decades and that the company fought a fierce campaign to minimize data, 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, in addition to other brands of talc containing powders 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 risk to asbestos, and asbestos related products as causing mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focusing on the connection between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.
Focused on both the factual and scientific links between risk to asbestos contaminated talc powders and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the legal effort is evolving and being joined by hundreds women that have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
More Information Regarding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and Its Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a broad phrase that combines several subtypes which are identified and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. The majority of ovarian cancer is found in the epithelium, which is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. Almost 90% of all ovarian cancers are found in the epithelium. There are numerous subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers including serous cell and endometrioid.
Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A low percent of ovarian cancer issues begin in the peritoneum that is bodily tissue which is separate and away from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a thin 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 covers 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 discovered 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 identified from its relationship to the endometrium, that is the membrane which is the inside lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer could often develop in conjunction with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities affecting the endometrium such as endometriosis.
Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
Those three are less common subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for diagnostic purposes, the prescribed treatment for each is the same.
Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer originates out of the ovaries, in one or more locations of the peritoneum tissue. It might move to other locations in the abdomen including, 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 all 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 often similar. However, peritoneal cancer could be confined to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It can develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer might appear in any location in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.
Peritoneal ovarian cancer usually is defined as 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 signal each other and, in this manner, cancer cells can move, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells are present 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 — Presence of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.
Stage IA — Growth is limited to one ovary and 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 that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IB — Presence is limited 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 appear: tumor is confirmed 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 involves the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.
Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.
Stage IIC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following appear: tumor is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites that include 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 extended past the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes. The tumor is confined to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum.
Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the practitioner might observe cancer including one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly noticeable in the abdomen and it hasn’t moved to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are checked on a microscope, very small deposits of cancer are discovered 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 large enough for the doctor to observe but not bigger than 1 inch in size. The cancer has not spread 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 spread to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 2 cm in size and are found 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 occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is also evidence of stage IV disease.
The Connection Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific research to describe a potential link between talc and ovarian cancer was reported in 1971. Detailed were pathology examinations of tissue samples from 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The scientists noticed talc in each of the tissue samples, an indication 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 Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical link between a history of genital talc containing product usage and ovarian cancer.
Results of the study reveal an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article about Dr. Cramer’s research appeared in the August 12, 1982 edition of The New York Times. The research examined the health history and genital talc usage of 215 women who 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. Over the ensuing years, no fewer than fifteen studies have shown that long term, frequent, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though some studies have implied no connection between the usage of baby powder and ovarian cancer, those studies have been criticized for not holding into account both length of time and regularity of talc usage 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 worries over asbestos contaminated talc dating back several decades and that the company fought a fierce campaign to minimize data, 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, in addition to other brands of talc containing powders 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 risk to asbestos, and asbestos related products as causing mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focusing on the connection between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.
Focused on both the factual and scientific links between risk to asbestos contaminated talc powders and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the legal effort is evolving and being joined by hundreds women that have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
More Information Regarding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and Its Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a broad phrase that combines several subtypes which are identified and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. The majority of ovarian cancer is found in the epithelium, which is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. Almost 90% of all ovarian cancers are found in the epithelium. There are numerous subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers including serous cell and endometrioid.
Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A low percent of ovarian cancer issues begin in the peritoneum that is bodily tissue which is separate and away from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a thin 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 covers 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 discovered 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 identified from its relationship to the endometrium, that is the membrane which is the inside lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer could often develop in conjunction with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities affecting the endometrium such as endometriosis.
Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
Those three are less common subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for diagnostic purposes, the prescribed treatment for each is the same.
Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer originates out of the ovaries, in one or more locations of the peritoneum tissue. It might move to other locations in the abdomen including, 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 all 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 often similar. However, peritoneal cancer could be confined to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It can develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer might appear in any location in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.
Peritoneal ovarian cancer usually is defined as 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 signal each other and, in this manner, cancer cells can move, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells are present 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 — Presence of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.
Stage IA — Growth is limited to one ovary and 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 that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.
Stage IB — Presence is limited 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 appear: tumor is confirmed 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 involves the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.
Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.
Stage IIC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following appear: tumor is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites that include 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 extended past the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes. The tumor is confined to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum.
Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the practitioner might observe cancer including one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly noticeable in the abdomen and it hasn’t moved to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are checked on a microscope, very small deposits of cancer are discovered 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 large enough for the doctor to observe but not bigger than 1 inch in size. The cancer has not spread 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 spread to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 2 cm in size and are found 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 occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is also evidence of stage IV disease.
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