With 2,000 people facing charges linked to talc cancer, should you worry about talc makeup, what if you were exposed to it as a baby and what are the warning signs of cancer? Expert guide you must read

What is talc made of?

Talcum baby powder is no longer available in UK supermarkets; instead, you’ll find products made with corn starch, a white powder extracted from corn kernels.

Many products now have ‘talc-free’ on the label.

However, you can still buy body powders with talc online (from retailers like Amazon), so if you use powder and want to avoid a mineral-based product, read the ingredients carefully.

In 2018 and 2023, Target Ovarian Cancer warned against using talcum powder between the legs.

Gynecologist Dr Jennifer Gunter, author of The Menopause Manifesto, says: ‘There is no reason to actually use talcum powder on the genitals, so don’t use another unnecessary product.’

For example, if your esthetician applies talcum powder after a wax, consider asking for an alternative.

Should I be concerned about using talc on my baby?

Although scientists don’t have a definitive answer, you may not want to use the product on small children – for another reason. Experts say it can irritate the sensitive, delicate skin of newborns, while the American Academy of Pediatrics says babies simply don’t need it.

Even cornstarch-based talc can be problematic, as the main ingredient can worsen diaper rash caused by candida yeast.

Studies from the 1990s also warn against inhaling baby powder, which can cause suffocation, breathing difficulties, lung damage and, in extreme cases, even death in infants.

If you have used talc on your baby in the past, don’t panic; As in adults, there is no proven causal link between talcum powders and cancer.

What are the signs of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Britain and kills around 11 women a day in this country – or 4,000 a year.

The diagnosis is often made late because the symptoms are vague and difficult to recognize.

These can include bloating, loss of appetite, indigestion, pelvic or abdominal pain, weight loss, changes in bowel habits (such as constipation), and increased urination.

Because the ovaries are located deep in the pelvis, you cannot detect any signs of cancer in the genitals or perineal area, even if you have used talcum powder there.

What to do if you are concerned

If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor. If you already have a diagnosis and have used talc before, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit, led by British firm KP Law.

Tom Longstaff, a partner at the firm, said: “All of the claimants who contracted cancer after using J&J’s talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness. In some cases they have died of cancer, leaving their families devastated. All these innocent individuals deserve justice.”

J&J – which says it “takes the issue of talc safety incredibly seriously and always has” – denies all allegations.

Talc is the naturally occurring clay mineral, hydrated magnesium silicate, extracted from the earth and sold commercially since the 1890s. Finely ground it produces a silky soft, fragrant powder.

Its properties include absorbing moisture and reducing chafing, making it a key ingredient in baby powder (as a treatment for diaper rash) and in beauty products.

Experts believe that it is not the talc that is the problem, but asbestos, a known carcinogen and another natural silicate mineral, which can be found nearby during the mining process.

“(Talk) can be extracted from places where asbestos is present, which can cause the talc to become contaminated,” explains Sophia Lowes of Cancer Research UK. ‘Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma and lung, larynx and ovarian cancer.’

What is the science behind the claims?

The link between asbestos and cancer is undisputed. But there has not yet been a large-scale study conclusively showing that talc sold in Britain can cause cancer.

However, in 2003, a study in the US found that the use of cosmetic talc increased the risk of ovarian cancer by about a third, although the methods of the studies analyzed were questioned. Meanwhile, a 2013 study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research concluded that its use in the genital area was associated with a 20 to 30 percent increase in risk.

There have also been studies linking talcum powder to mesothelioma, a tissue cancer caused almost exclusively by inhaling asbestos. But in 2020, researchers at the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, based on data from more than 250,000 women, found no evidence that talc was dangerous.

In July, the World Health Organization concluded that mineral talc was ‘probably carcinogenic’ to humans, but could not rule out whether this was due to asbestos contamination.

Is only J&J talk under scrutiny?

No. Other talcum and baby powders sold in Britain have been found to contain small amounts of asbestos.

In 2022, Purity Essentials Baby Powder, made by South Africa-based Tiger Brands, was recalled from UK shelves after traces of asbestos were found.

And it’s not just talcum powder itself that’s under scrutiny. Talc is also used as a filler, anti-caking agent and moisture absorber in other cosmetics, such as eye shadow, blusher, foundation, face powder, lipstick and mascara.

In 2021, the Office for Product Safety and Standards ordered testing of 60 makeup products, and found that several contained between one and five asbestos fibers.

Am I at risk?

Experts say the risk remains small. Ovarian cancer affects around two in 100 women and the risk increases with age, with more than half of all cases occurring in women aged 65 or over.

The UK’s largest charity for the disease, Target Ovarian Cancer, says research into the subject remains ‘limited’. “Some research shows a small weak link, but the evidence is not yet strong enough to support this,” it adds.

Some have also questioned the link between using talc as a feminine hygiene product and mutating cells in the ovaries – which are located deep in the reproductive tract. “Anatomically speaking, it’s not correct,” says Prof. Jayson.