More recent studies have shown inconsistent evidence on talc’s connection to ovarian cancer. A 2014 study found that talcum powder use “does not appear to influence ovarian cancer risk.” However, a research group in 2017 found that the link between genital use of talcum powder and the development of ovarian cancer was “weak but statistically significant.”
Though many of the claims against J&J involving their asbestos-laced talcum powder are associated with ovarian cancer, some research suggests that there is a connection between extended talcum powder use and the development of peritoneal mesothelioma. One 2014 study analyzed how one brand of talcum powder cosmetic products could be associated with mesothelioma in women. Researchers discovered that inhaled asbestos fibers within the talcum powder could have contributed to a woman’s mesothelioma, “as well as other women with the same scenario.”
In addition to the scientific research, there is other evidence that J&J knew about the potential dangers of its talc-based products for years and hid their findings from consumers. Reuters conducted an investigation into the safety of J&J’s Baby Powder and the company’s misleading marketing schemes, publishing their findings in 2018. The investigators determined that J&J knew of several studies stating its talcum powder contained asbestos fibers, but continued to assert that their products were safe and did not pose a cancer risk.
