An American jury has awarded almost $100 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after she argued it was the result of using talcum powder.
Jacqueline Fox had used Johnson & Johnson products containing talc for 35 years. Three years ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which she blamed on talc, and she died at age 62 in October of 2015.
It’s the first time damages have been awarded in a case like this, and there are reportedly a further 1,200 cases pending against the company on similar grounds in the US.
The finding against J&J is likely to be appealed.
A company spokesperson provided this statement to Mamamia:
“The talc used in all our global products is carefully selected and meets the highest quality, purity and compliance standards. The recent jury outcome goes against decades of sound science proving the safety of talc as a cosmetic ingredient in multiple products, and while we sympathize with the family of the plaintiff, we strongly disagree with the outcome.”
Despite the findings of the US court, the link between talcum powder and cancer remains inconclusive.
Mamamia spoke to scientific advisor of The Australian Cancer Council to ask: does talcum powder cause cancer?
His answer? Based on the scientific evidence available, no.
“A jury might be outraged if a single case of cancer could be avoided,” Professor Stewart explained. “But a court of law, in this context, involving damages is the last place one expects to find objectivity concerning medico-scientific matters.”
Top Comments
The moral of this story is: don't eat talcum powder.
Or stick it up your vag.
If theres no clear linc then why are the Americans taking this case of the cancer causing talc to court? Someone please explain?
Because a link has been suggested. There may be a feeling among families or those who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer of needing to find a cause or someone to blame for the cancer. If this woman thought talc caused her cancer her family may emotionally hold this company responsible for her death. The judgment in this case was made by a jury and was most likely an emotional one. The judgment is highly likely to be thrown out on appeal as there is no scientific evidence of a causative link between talc and ovarian cancer