Study Finds Talc in Cancerous Mesothelioma Tissues in 33 Out of 33 Tested

If talc is present in cancerous mesothelioma tissue, it probably got there from the patient's history of using Johnson's Baby Powder regularly throughout their entire lifetime

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - Yet another study, released the other day, demonstrates the likelihood that a person's mesothelioma would be probably have been caused by ingesting Johnson's Baby Powder talc. According to Time Magazine, the 33-person study could provide even more ammunition to plaintiffs who can add this expert witness testimony when making their case. The study specifically pinpoints particles of talc found in cancerous tissues as being the cause of a plaintiff's mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer of the lining of the lungs or stomach. The study was co-authored by Jacqueline Molin, professor of occupational medicine, epidemiology, and prevention at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Dr. Molin's and by association, the study itself's credibility is being questioned by the defense arguing that Dr. Molin's status as a paid plaintiff's witness taints her opinion. According to Time: "Moline emphasized the study's importance. "This is the first time that anyone has said, Let me look at all these cases, put it all together and identify the ones where [talc] is the sole exposure," Moline says. "People aren't even aware that cosmetic talcum powder might have had asbestos in it." Talcum powder attorneys recommend a free consultation without any obligation to file a claim.

The study in question is titled: "Mesothelioma Associated with the Use of Cosmetic Talc" analyzes the link between finding particles of talc and mesothelioma in 33 individuals. The study sought to examine the lung tissue of 33 patients with mesothelioma as to whether or not talc fibers, as well as asbestos, could be found in the cancerous tissue. The study concluded that both fibers were found in all 33 sampled. The study's conclusion could lead to blaming not only Johnson's Baby Powder but also the entire talc-based cosmetics industry for inadequately self-policing their cosmetic products in the best interest of public health. The plaintiff's finding could backfire, however, as the defense can now state that talc could not have been responsible for a patient's mesothelioma if no talc fibers are found. The study's chilling conclusion was amplified by making a plea to all physicians to ask their patients presenting with mesothelioma to state their history of talcum powder usage.

Medical experts have testified that particles of talc found in the ovaries or lungs get trapped and do not break down causing years of irritation that can lead to cancer. One plaintiff expert witness, Daniel Clarke-Pearson, a Gynecologic Oncologist and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has testified that "Genital application of powder increases risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in all women and can cause epithelial ovarian cancer in some women," according to the Penn Record." Clark also told the court "particles of talc enter the vagina and migrate into the ovaries through the Fallopian tubes and incite an inflammatory process that includes oxidative stress and specific genetic mutations."