There has been a long debate over the connection between the talc-containing baby powders and the formation of certain kinds of cancers due to it; in particular, ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Just to figure out the same, a recent large study has been conducted by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on January 7th, 2020 which simultaneously combined four different prospective studies. These studies are expected to record the information from mass response over the passage of time. However, the study does not seem to settle the debate any soon. In fact, as per the author of the study, Katie O’Brien who is an epidemiologist with the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the research did not give any conclusive or definitive points so as to address the query of whether or not the use of talc-based powders in the genital area is responsible for ovarian cancer.
The research was widely conducted on more than 250,000 women to gather a varied response. In this sizable group of women, 2,200 women were found to have ovarian cancers which were even less than 1%. Adding to this, no more than 38% of women confirmed the use of powder in their genital area. Only 10% of them reported to have long-term use, and 22% of them used it on a frequent basis. Thus, the study could not find a statistically significant bond between ovarian cancer and the talc-containing baby powders. This is more inclined toward the fact that the association of the talc powder with cancer lacks strong evidence to prove it harmful and therefore, is expected to upscale the business of various established baby products brands. It is worth to notice that talc is a naturally occurring mineral in areas containing asbestos. The latter is definitely a carcinogenic agent which is what gives rise to the debate and further questioned the legitimacy of talc-based powders.
