Talcum powder has long been associated with infant care, and to some talcum powder is the quintessential baby product to have.
Evidence Revealed by Talcum Powder Studies
It has been found that using this powder on the genital or perineal areas either directly or indirectly can increase the risk in women—including female infants—of ovarian cancer. In fact, repeated or long-term use of talcum powder may double or even triple the risk of ovarian cancer development. Talcum powder can also travel into the genital or urinary tracts and cause irritation and inflammation.
Multiple studies, including one with nearly 20,000 subjects in 2013, have found that there is a correlated increase in the risk of ovarian cancer for women who have used talcum powder. Furthermore, a study by a Harvard epidemiologist in 2010 found that the use of talcum powder increased the risk of endometrial cancer by between 21 percent and 24 percent, and an analysis of over 15 observational studies on the link between perineal talcum powder use and ovarian cancer revealed a 33 percent increase in risk.
