As 2,000 sue over talc cancer link, should you be worried about talc make-up, what if you were exposed as a baby and what are the warning signs of cancer? Experts’ must-read guide

What is talc made from? 

Baby powder containing talc is no longer available at UK supermarkets; instead, you’ll find products made with cornstarch, a white powder extracted from corn kernels.

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

You can, however, still buy body powders containing talc online (at retailers such as Amazon), so if you are using powder and want to avoid a mineral-based product, read the ingredients carefully.

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

Gynaecologist 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 yet another unnecessary product.’

If your beauty therapist applies talc after a wax, for example, you might consider asking for an alternative.

Should I be worried if I used talc on my baby?

Though scientists don’t have a definitive answer, you may wish to avoid using the product on little ones – for a different reason. Experts say it may irritate newborns’ sensitive, delicate skin, with the American Academy of Pediatrics saying babies simply don’t need it.

Even cornstarch-based talc may be problematic, as the main ingredient can exacerbate nappy rash caused by candida yeast.

Studies dating back to the 1990s also warn against inhalation of baby powder, which can cause choking, 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 with adults, there is no proven causal link between talcum powders and cancer.

What are the signs of ovarian cancer?

As the sixth most common cancer in the UK, ovarian cancer kills around 11 women a day in this country – or 4,000 a year.

It’s often diagnosed late, because the symptoms are vague and can be difficult to spot.

These can include bloating, a loss of appetite, indigestion, pelvic or abdominal pain, weight loss, changes in bowel habits (such as constipation) and needing to urinate more often.

As the ovaries are deep in the pelvis, you won’t be able to spot any signs of cancer on the genital or perineal areas, even if you have used talcum powder there.

What to do if you’re concerned

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

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

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

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

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

Experts believe it isn’t the talc which is the problem, but asbestos, a known carcinogen and another natural silicate mineral, which may be found close by during the mining process.

‘[Talc] can be mined in places where there is asbestos, which can cause the talc to become contaminated,’ explains Sophia Lowes from Cancer Research UK. ‘Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx and ovary.’

What’s the science behind the claims?

The link between asbestos and cancer is undisputed. But there has, to date, been no large-scale study that conclusively shows talc sold in the UK can cause cancer.

However, in 2003, a review in the US found that using cosmetic talc increased the risk of ovarian cancer by around a third, though it questioned the methods of the studies it analysed. Meanwhile a 2013 study, published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, concluded that its use in the genital area was associated with a 20-30 per cent increase in risk.

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

In July, the World Health Organisation concluded that mineral talc was ‘probably carcinogenic’ for humans, but was unable to rule out whether this was due to asbestos contamination.

Is it just J&J talc under scrutiny?

No. Other talcs and baby powders sold in the UK 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 tests of 60 make-up products, and found several to contain between one and five asbestos fibres.

Am I at risk?

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

The UK’s leading charity for the disease, Target Ovarian Cancer, says research on the subject remains ‘limited’. ‘Some studies show a small weak link, but the evidence isn’t yet strong enough to support this,’ it adds.

Some have also queried the link between using talc as a feminine hygiene product and mutating cells in the ovaries – which are a long way up the reproductive tract. ‘Anatomically, it doesn’t make sense,’ says Prof Jayson.