Debate Rages On Talcum Baby Powder’s Association With Lung, Ovarian Cancers

The debate on whether the use of the popular talcum powder causes cancer has refused to go away. Indeed, the use of talcum powder has become a controversial issue as growing evidence suggests that its use may be related to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Recall that Nigeria Natural Health Online www.kimekwu.com, a couple of weeks ago, published a story on research findings that talcum powder could be linked to lung and ovarian cancers.

Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down on friction, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping to prevent rashes. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products.

In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled.

While mesothelioma is the cancer most often associated with asbestos, there is growing evidence that trace amounts of the mineral in talcum powder could trigger other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer in women.

The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association, a trade group in the United States that represents manufacturers of these kinds of products, adopted guidelines in 1976 to ensure that talc products would not contain asbestos. The guidelines were voluntary and stated that any asbestos found in natural talc would be removed so that consumer products would not have any detectable levels.

In spite of the guidelines designed to protect consumers from the harm of asbestos found in hygiene and other personal products, studies since the 1970s have found that talcum powder does still often contain the contaminant. One study tested several products and found that many contained asbestos that could easily be inhaled by anyone using them.

In the United States, Johnson & Johnson is being investigated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission after questions surfaced about the safety of the company’s baby powder.

The investigation and subpoenas come on the heels of a Reuter’s report that suggested the company knew for years that its baby powder contained small amounts of asbestos, which is a human carcinogen.

The reason there could be asbestos in baby powder is that one of the primary ingredients is talc: a mineral that is often found and mined near asbestos.

The Guardian investigation revealed that so many talcum powder products are registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The products are in circulation and are used by both the young and the old.

Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, told The Guardian that the subject of link between talc powder and cancer has been a controversial issue, which continues to divide scientists. “There is no clear scientific evidence on the issue,” she said.

The pharmacist said evidence showing that talc may be carcinogenic remains inconclusive because a school of thought believes that talc in its natural state contains asbestos (a carcinogen) whereas another school of thought believes it does not. From the foregoing, she said, it is the asbestos component of talc, if truly present, that is capable of causing cancer in talc powder. “Generally, facts hold that there are asbestos-free talc as well as asbestos-containing talc, though the evidence about asbestos free talc is less clear” Adeyeye said.

The NAFDAC DG concluded: “So the simple answer is that talc powder made from asbestos-containing talc is capable of causing cancer whereas talc powder made from asbestos-free talc is not expected to cause cancer.

“For asbestos-containing talc powder which may be ‘yes’ and depending on the site of application (say, pubic area of a woman), the talc powder particles may travel through the private part, the fallopian tubes (oviducts) and eventually enter the ovaries to cause irritation and inflammation from which cancerous cells are able to develop. For asbestos-free talc powder which may be ‘no’, the absence of asbestos (the suspected carcinogen) makes it difficult for cancerous cells to develop.”

Adeyeye said NAFDAC conducts analytical tests before registration of all regulated products including talc powder to ensure their fitness (quality and safety) for use. Also, she said, post marketing surveillance activities are being improved with inclusion of post marketing analysis of regulated products to ensure continuous conformity with the standards and requirements precedent to registration of the products at the outset.

In addition, the NAFDAC DG said if an untoward events or reactions are associated with the use of any product, including talc powder, the product can be banned or withdrawn from the circulation through a process of recall.

What is the implication to the health and lives of Nigerians if talc powder can actually cause cancer? Adeyeye said if any talc powder could actually cause cancer it will not be registered for use in Nigeria because the result of its analysis would have revealed that it contains asbestos-containing talc. “As earlier mentioned, if the product is suspected to contain any carcinogen it would be withdrawn from the circulation and/or banned,” she said.

Adeyeye said the summary is that NAFDAC has the responsibility to safeguard the health of the nation hence a case of untoward health implication is being addressed on daily basis by the Agency.

However, researchers are unanimous that talc or talcum powder can cause cancer.

They said talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled. The evidence about asbestos-free talc is less clear.

“The health implication of using talc that contains asbestos is that it causes cancer,” said a consultant epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Nwaoney.

The epidemiologist told The Guardian that most concerns about a possible link between talcum powder and cancer have been focused on: whether people who have long-term exposure to talc particles at work, such as talc miners, are at higher risk of lung cancer from breathing them in; and whether women who apply talcum powder regularly in the genital area have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer.

IARC classifies talc that contains asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans.”

Based on the lack of data from human studies and on limited data in lab animal studies, IARC classifies inhaled talc not containing asbestos as “not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans.”

Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Director General, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Babatunde Irukera, told The Guardian: “We have sent out an advisory on this issue. Although the science behind it is inconclusive, there is need to alert consumers of the possibility of talc powder laden with asbestos causing lung and ovarian cancers. The Nigerian public should be well informed so that they can make choices. They can decide that because of the controversy to use powders made with corn starch.”

The CPC had in early February 2019 alerted the public of a fake Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Talc Powder in circulation.

The agency said in a statement: “The CPC has become aware that credible judicial process recently decided that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Talc (Baby/Body) powder may be harmful and injurious to users. The product is popularly known as Johnson’s Baby Powder (product of Johnson & Johnson).”

The statement signed by Irukera said specifically, a court in the United States decided the company failed to warn consumers about the potential health risks associated with using its baby and body powder products.

The CPC said the plaintiffs in the case had claimed that asbestos (a known carcinogen, allegedly present in the talc-an ingredient of the products) caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

Although J&J has already indicated its intention to appeal the case, Irukera said the Council considers it important to alert and educate consumers in Nigeria as they make choices with respect to baby and body powders.

The Council noted that regulatory documents filled in the United States reveal that there are more than 9,000 plaintiffs against the company in cases involving their talc body powder.

The CPC noted that scientific findings in support of the decision of the court above are otherwise inconclusive. “Regardless, a consumer advisory in this regard is appropriate. The Council recognizes that the NAFDAC and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are relevant and key regulators with respect to food and drug safety and standards. The Council is in communication with both regulators accordingly,” it noted.

The Council encouraged consumers to proceed with an abundance of caution, and to contact NAFDAC, SON or the CPC with any questions while considering alternatives such as face/skin powders containing corn starch instead of talc.

Indeed, over 9,000 consumers have filed baby powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Most of these consumers are women who have ovarian cancer. According to their claims, they believe that their cancer developed due to using talcum powder on their genitals.

These women back their claims with a variety of studies that have found that long-term use of talcum powder on female genitals may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

In recent years women who developed ovarian cancer after decades of using baby powder products have been suing the companies responsible, most notably Johnson & Johnson. An important piece of evidence arose during a trial on behalf of Jackie Fox, a woman who died from ovarian cancer. Her family sued Johnson & Johnson and won a jury-awarded settlement of $72 million.

The family’s legal team presented evidence that the company knew there was a link between using baby powder and developing ovarian cancer. An internal memo made it clear the company was aware of the risk but continued selling the product with no warnings to consumers. This was a major win and proof that women like Ms. Fox deserved to be compensated for the damage talcum powder caused.

That case has been followed by many, including a big win for 22 women who together filed a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. The jury awarded $4.7 billion to the women, which included $4.14 in punitive damages to the company for failing to warn consumers of the risks of ovarian cancer from using their products. Not only did the women and their families in this case get such a big win, but also the company lost a bid to get the award reversed. A judge upheld the jury’s decision.

J&J has said it will appeal the recent verdicts against it. It has maintained in public statements that its talc is safe, as shown for years by the best tests available, and that the information it has been required to divulge in recent litigation shows the care the company takes to ensure its products are asbestos-free. It has blamed its losses on juror confusion, “junk” science, unfair court rules and overzealous lawyers looking for a fresh pool of asbestos plaintiffs.

“Plaintiffs’ attorneys out for personal financial gain are distorting historical documents and intentionally creating confusion in the courtroom and in the media,” Ernie Knewitz, J&J’s vice president of global media relations, wrote in an emailed response to Reuters’ findings. “This is all a calculated attempt to distract from the fact that thousands of independent tests prove our talc does not contain asbestos or cause cancer. Any suggestion that Johnson & Johnson knew or hid information about the safety of talc is false.”

Indeed, there is a very real possibility that talcum powder can increase the risk and even cause the development of ovarian cancer in women who have used it for a long time. The longer the period of use and greater the regularity of use of baby powder, the bigger the risk is. Women need to know about this risk so they can make the right choice for hygiene. Companies like Johnson & Johnson are increasingly being held to account for asbestos and ovarian cancer, but the risk is still real and present.

The issue was first investigated in 1971 when researchers found talc particles in ovarian tumors. A later study in 1982 saw a possible connection between ovarian cancer and using talc on genitals.

More recently, a 2014 study found no link between talc and ovarian cancer. However, research from 2016 found that using talc on the genitals could increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 33 percent in participants. However, the study relied on personal interviews based on participants’ memories, which may not be accurate.

According to a 2018 review, there is a weak but statistically significant association between ovarian cancer and talcum powder used on genitals.

However, given this conflicting evidence, as well as many other risk factors of ovarian cancer, such as older age, long-term hormone therapy, family history, and genetics, scientists are unable to say for sure that talcum powder causes cancer.

Although the overall lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is low, it is one of the most deadly gynecological cancers. Therefore it is important to recognize some of the major signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer for early detection and diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include: lower abdominal pain or pressure; weight gain or weight loss; abnormal periods; gas, nausea, or vomiting; and trouble eating or feeling “full” after eating.

While these symptoms may be associated with other benign conditions, it is always important to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your doctor.

A new study published in the journal Epidemiology, analysed the use of talcum powder in over 4,000 women with and without ovarian cancer. The authors found that use of talcum powder in the genital region may increase a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer by 33 per cent, especially in instances where the powder was used daily.

The researchers insist that more research is necessary to determine how talcum powder causes cancer. In the meantime, the American Cancer Society suggests that it may be prudent to avoid or limit use of products containing talc, if you are concerned about developing ovarian cancer.

One study of note compared talcum powder use and rates of ovarian cancer in over 1,000 women. The study compared the personal hygiene habits of nearly 600 women with ovarian cancer and about 700 women without that diagnosis. The study found that regular use of talcum powder on the genitals increased the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 44 percent. The lifetime risk of ovarian cancer for women who used talcum powder was significantly higher than for those who did not. Another study found similar results after investigating more than 8,000 women.

Also important was a study that investigated how talc could cause ovarian cancer. It may be that talc particles migrate from the external genital area to the interior, all the way to the ovaries. The study found that this is, in fact, possible. Researchers examined tissue from ovarian tumors and found that they contained particles of talc.

A study published in the journal Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry established that cosmetic facial talcum powders marketed in Nigeria contains toxic trace metals such as lead.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Pb (lead), Cd (cadmium), Co (copper), and Cr (chromium) in cosmetic talcum powders regularly used in Nigeria.

The researchers said the results of the study were generally within regulatory limits and the slightly elevated levels of lead in few samples indicate that the use of certain talcum powder products could constitute trace metal exposure routes to users. “Thus, there is a need for regulation of trace metal levels in cosmetic powders through the establishment of national guidelines,” they said.

According to another study published in American Journal of Industrial Medicine, lead acetate administered orally, cutaneously, or intraperitoneally causes kidney cancer, brain cancer (gliomas), and lung cancer in rodents, and acts synergistically with other carcinogens.

IARC classified lead as a “possible human carcinogen” based on sufficient animal data and insufficient human data in 1987.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) repeatedly inhaling talc might harm the lungs.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have a stand on the issue due to the ongoing scientific debate.

The European Union, however, has banned talc in beauty and health products, so people cannot purchase it in certain European countries.

While talcum powder remains popular, there are no medical reasons to use it. The choice is up to the individual whether they wish to use talcum powder or not.

According to some reports, talcum powder may cause respiratory problems in babies if inhaled.

Alternatives to talc-based baby powders include: cornstarch powders; arrowroot starch powders; tapioca starch powders; oat flour; baking soda; and zinc-based diaper rash creams for infants and toddlers.

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Researchers Create Electronic Bandage That Helps Wounds Heal Four Times Faster

A bandage that generates a gentle electrical current could help wounds heal four times faster, research suggests.The electronic device, which has yet to be named, was wrapped around the chests of rats which had a cut on their backs. Every time the rodents took a breath, an electrical pulse was generated, which was found to speed up their healing process.

This caused skin-healing cells, known as fibroblasts, to flock to the injured area, which encouraged the production of collagen and new skin cells. The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (U.S.), and led by recent graduate Yin Long. Diabetic foot, leg ulcers and surgical wounds are among the skin injuries that often do not heal.

They affect more than 6.5million people every year in the US, the authors wrote in the journal ACS Nano. It is unclear how common they are in the United Kingdom (UK). Electrical stimulation to promote wound healing was first recognised in the 1960s to reduce swelling, boost blood flow and stimulate the growth of new tissue.

But it typically requires ‘clumsy electrical systems’ that can only be used in hospitals, the authors wrote. After creating the self-powered e-band, the researchers tested it on groups of rats with a 1cm cut on their backs. Other rodents wore the same band but the electrical current was ‘turned off’ – these acted as the controls.

After two days, the rats who wore the ‘turned on’ device had almost completely healed, while the control animals still had their wounds intact.
The researchers then repeated the experiment on wounds that took up the width of the animals’ backs. They found the e-band led to ‘complete closure’ of the wound within three days, while 46 per cent of the controls’ injuries were still ‘open’.

It took between 10 and 12 days for the control wounds to heal to the same extent, according to the researchers. The band also appeared to be safe, with the rodents suffering no side effects. The low level of electricity that was generated also meant the animals showed no signs of being in pain or uncomfortable.The researchers hope a similar device could one day be used to improve the appearance of chickenpox scars, acne and rosacea. They argue existing methods of promoting healing, such as bandages, dressing and oxygen therapy, are limited in their effectiveness

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High Animal Protein Diets Could Cause Early Death

While some people are concerned about not getting enough protein, a new study shows that we may have too much. The study, published in Cell Metabolism on March 4, shows that middle-aged people who eat a diet high in animal proteins from milk, meat and cheese are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone who eats a low-protein diet — a mortality risk factor comparable to smoking.

Researchers looked at 6,318 adults over the age of 50, over a span of 18 years. On average, about 16 percent of their total daily calories came from protein. Two-thirds of that amount was from animal protein. The percent of calorie intake from protein was used to categorize subjects into a high protein group (20% or more of calories from proteins), a moderate protein group (10%-19% of calories from proteins), and a low protein group (less than 10% of calories from proteins).

The study showed that those consuming high protein diets were 74 percent more likely to die of any cause within the 18-year study period than their low-protein counterparts. They were also several times more likely to die of diabetes. This risk was higher in those who got their protein from animal sources such as meat, eggs and cheese.

“There’s a misconception that because we all eat, understanding nutrition is simple. But the question is not whether a certain diet allows you to do well for three days, but can it help you survive to be 100?” study co-author Valter Longo, Edna M. Jones professor of biogerontology at the USC Davis School of Gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute in Los Angeles, said in a press release. “Almost everyone is going to have a cancer cell or pre-cancer cell in them at some point. The question is: Does it progress?” Longo said. “Turns out one of the major factors in determining if it does is protein intake.”

In the study, Longo and his colleagues found that foods derived from plants, such as beans and nuts, did not have the same effect on mortality as did high-protein foods from animals. The results indicate that respondents ages 50-65 consuming moderate to high levels of animal protein display a major increase in the risks for overall and cancer mortality; however, the risks may be somewhat decreased if protein does not come from an animal source. When the study controlled for the effect of plant-based protein, there was no change in the association between protein intake and mortality, indicating that high levels of animal proteins promote mortality.

“The research shows that a low-protein diet in middle age is useful for preventing cancer and overall mortality,” wrote co-author Eileen Crimmins, the AARP Chair in Gerontology at the University of Southern California, in a release about the paper.

Older subjects in the study, however, saw a different outcome from eating a high-protein diet. The researchers found that older subjects (65 years and older) benefited from a moderate to high amount of protein. In this age group in the study, higher levels of protein protected against cancer, disease and premature death.

The RDA for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram or 2.2 pounds of body weight. That means if you weigh 140 pounds, the suggested protein intake is 50.9 grams daily. According to myplate.gov a non-active female aged 31-50 requires 1800 calories daily, or 203.6 calories (9%) from protein, which qualifies as low protein.

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Tuberculosis: Stop Eating Fuku, Experts Warn Nigerians

Nigerians have been cautioned against consumption of infected animal parts especially the lungs of cow to prevent tuberculosis

Project officer, Central Abattoir Ibadan, Dr Akanbi Ibikunle gave this advice at the opening of human clinic of the central abattoir, Amosun village during commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day.

Dr Ibikunle said the disease could be contracted from animal to man through consumption of cow lung with crunchy substances called Fuku Elegusi in Yoruba language.

Dr Ibikunle noted that the infected lungs which the society regard as a delicacy would automatically infect the consumer.

“Animal parts especially the lungs that have substances like stones should not be consumed at all ” he insisted.

Dr Ibikunle also advised the public to always allow professionals to screen animals slaughtered outside abattoirs to prevent spread of TB.

In an address, chairman Central Abattoir Engineer Abiodun Ahmodu hinted that the clinic was provided to improve general health safety of citizens of the state.

Also speaking, Oyo commissioner for Agriculture, Barrister Oyewole Oyewunmi disclosed that Oyo state government was committed to ensuring that hygienic meat is being consumed by the people.

Oyewunmi added that the clinic was put in place to examine butchers to prevent transmission of diseases from animal to human beings

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Study: Dogs Can Sniff Out Cancer In Blood

Scientists in the United States (US) said dogs could accurately sniff out cancer in blood, a development that can pave the way for a new non-invasive approach of screening cancer.

This was highlighted in a new study that was presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting, which held in Orlando from April 6 to 9. The study showed that dogs could use their highly evolved sense of smell to pick out blood samples from people with cancer with almost 97 percent accuracy.

Dogs have smell receptors 10,000 times more accurate than those of humans, making them highly sensitive to odours we can’t perceive, according to the study. Lead researcher at BioScentDx in Florida, Heather Junqueira said: “A highly sensitive test for detecting cancer could potentially save thousands of lives and change the way the disease is treated.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Junqueira and her colleagues used a form of clicker training to teach four beagles to distinguish between normal blood serum and samples from patients with malignant lung cancer. Although one beagle was unmotivated to perform, the other three dogs correctly identified lung cancer samples 96.7 per cent of the time and normal samples 97.5 per cent of the time, according to the study.

The beagle is a breed of small hound (dog) that is similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare.

The researchers plan to use canine scent detection to develop a non-invasive way of screening for cancer. T hey also hope to determine the biologic compounds the dogs detect and then design cancerscreening tests based on those compounds.

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), there were 17 million new cases of cancer worldwide in 2018.

The four most common cancers occurring worldwide are lung, female breast, bowel and prostate cancers. These four account for more than four in ten of all cancers diagnosed worldwide. Worldwide, there will be 27.5 million new cases of cancer each year by 2040, the WHO has projected.

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Women Who Wear Pants To Sleep May Become Infertile - Expert

A clinical microbiologist, Dr. Tony Mbume, on Sunday advised females not to sleep with their panties on, so as to keep the vagina area dry throughout the night.

He also urged women to stop wearing tight jeans, synthetic panties and leggings, to prevent vaginal infections.

According him, most Nigerian females wear synthetic pants, leggings and tight jeans in the name of fashion, without considering the health implications.

Mbume, who works with CIAGIN Medical Laboratory, Oke-Afa, Isolo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that synthetic underwear cause the vagina to ‘overheat’, which could disrupt its ecosystem.

He said that underwear made of latex, nylon or polyester and synthetic materials could trap moisture and warmth, making the vagina vulnerable to infections.

“Synthetic panties can cause the vagina area to overheat and this can sometimes cause burning sores, itching or irritate the sensitive skin, as well as causing blisters.

“The friction caused by walking in tight pants and jeans can irritate the skin, resulting in the formation of blisters,’’ he said.

Mbume said vaginal burning and itching are usually accompanied by discharge and bad odour.

He further said that such infections could be dangerous if left untreated, as it might lead to infertility due to damage of the reproductive organs.

The microbiologist, however, recommended cotton underwear, to ventilate the vagina and eliminate infections, adding that wearing cotton underwear helps to keep the vagina free of excessive moisture and allows the area to breathe.

“Use cotton menstrual pads too. Cotton absorbs excess moisture and removes buildup heat from the area. It is the only material that can become stronger when wet and is easily sterilised after use.

“Avoid sleeping with pants at night, to keep the vagina area dry throughout the night,’’ he said.

Mbume said that the vagina should be protected from any form of diseases.

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