Skip to content
Donate
OCRA / Get the Facts / Frequently Asked Questions / Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer

Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer

You may have seen headlines in April 2023 about Johnson & Johnson paying nearly $9 billion to tens of thousands of people who claim talcum powder caused their cancer, including ovarian cancer. More recently, a complex statistical analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in May 2024, found some evidence that talc use may be associated with ovarian cancer risk, while other studies, such as this one published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology in June 2024, suggest there is no causal relationship between talc and ovarian cancer.  Several challenges exist that prevent researchers from drawing definitive conclusions.  These include factors such as the differences in products used in studies (such as talc vs cornstarch, or talc that contains asbestos vs talc that does not), as well as incomplete information from study subjects, and the risk of bias in the studies themselves (such as recall bias, or the fact that increased talc use may be associated with outside factors).

“In highly publicized cases, we must be careful as a women’s health organization to let science guide our reactions. The fact remains that the science is inconclusive about increased risk of ovarian cancer to women using talcum powder,” said Audra Moran, President and CEO of Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

Controversy around the connection between talcum powder and cancer has gone on for years and has generated thousands of lawsuits.

What is talcum powder?

Talcum powder is a substance found in many consumer products, including cosmetic items like baby powder and adult body and facial powders. Because of its ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction, talcum powder is often used in products to prevent chafing, or to create smooth texture.

What is talcum powder made of?

Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral composition primarily comprising magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. This mineral is extracted from the earth through mining processes. In its natural state, talc deposits may contain asbestos, which is a substance recognized for its association with lung cancers when inhaled.

Does talcum powder cause cancer?

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance provides information based on medical research and best practices. Research regarding a connection between the use of talcum powder and increased ovarian cancer risk is inconclusive. The verdict of recent trials regarding talcum powder will not change the information that Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance provides to women about talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

Earlier studies have produced mixed results:

talcum powder and ovarian cancer

This commentary in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute provides additional insight into why it’s so difficult to accurately assess the relationship between talc use and ovarian cancer. This 2019 story in SELF magazine also  provides an easy-to-understand review around this topic.