Conversation on Link Between Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer Continues with New Prospective Study

(January 15, 2020) A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found no statistically significant association between self-reported use of powder in the genital area and subsequent risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Published earlier this month, the study used a pooled analysis of 4 large US cohorts, including 252,745 women with 38% self-reporting use of powder in the genital area. The study was prospective, meaning investigators recruited women for participation before any showed signs of ovarian cancer. They then observed and collected data related to development of ovarian cancer in these women over the course of the study.

“This is, to our knowledge, the largest study of this topic to date, and it is believed that no other large prospective cohorts have collected data on powder exposure in the genital area,” the study authors wrote. The study authors noted that the study could have benefited from a larger sample size, and recommended that future studies collect further detailed information with respect to dose and duration of powder use.

OCRA has been updating the public regarding the debate on the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer through this webpage. You can find more on this particular update via the published article in JAMA, and through this summary on MedPage Today.