Women Who Use This Powder Are At The High Risk Of Cancer

Women Who Use This Powder Are At The High Risk Of Cancer 

It is the start of another day. You step out of a hot shower and reach for that familiar blue and white container. Baby powder has been a staple in your home since your kids were babies. You liberally dust your body and for good measure, you even sprinkle some on your intimate garments. A wonderful and healthy start to your day…right? Wrong!

The main ingredients in most commercial baby powders are talc and perfumes. Heavy use of perfumes and fragrances are linked to various respiratory conditions, but talc is most likely the most harmful ingredient in this product.

Talc is a mineral composed of magnesium and silicon, great ingredients for treating and preventing diaper rash. The problem with talc is that it is derived from rock containing asbestos, and a good deal of that asbestos remains in the talc. Asbestos is, of course, a known carcinogen.

Despite the carcinogenic warnings, talc remains a huge industry. Besides baby powder, it can be found in feminine and masculine hygiene products, foot powder, make-up and other cosmetics. As of yet, there has not been enough pressure on the talc industry to explore the science or spend the money on extracting the asbestos from the product.

Research relating to how baby powder or talc can cause ovarian cancer began in the early 1970s. Ironically, some of the same women who were gaining their freedom with the pill and burning their bras were also dousing themselves, their undergarments, and even their feminine protection products with various powders and douches.

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There are some studies that claim inconclusive evidence as to whether or not talc contributes to ovarian cancer. But, there is also research showing that once the product is applied, the powder makes it journey through the cervix, into the uterus and up through the fallopian tubes. There has been talc found in malignant ovaries.

There are also studies showing women using powders containing talc were over 30% more likely to develop ovarian cancer in their 50s or 60s. In 2013, a suit was filed by a woman claiming that her habitual use of Shower to Shower (a J&J product), contributed to or caused her ovarian cancer. She won the case, the findings being that Johnson and Johnson did not provide sufficient warning regarding the hazards of the product.

On their web site Johnson and Johnson has a warning not to get the powder too close to the babies face, as it may cause breathing problems. Most of the babies I have been around, do not have that much of a distance between their faces and their bottoms. It would also seem logical if you are not supposed to put something near your face, putting it near or on your reproductive organs might not be such a good idea either.

The good news is there are other options. Thankfully legislation mandates product labeling, and you can choose to buy powders with alternative products such as arrowroot powder and cornstarch. Health food stores and co-ops are often the best places to find these products.

Of course, you may find some of those products more expensive than the blue and white can, but there are many easy recipes online to make your own dusting powder. My favorite is:
• A cup of Arrowroot powder
• A cup of Cornstarch
• 4-5 drops of essential oil
Sift the first two ingredients together and add the essential oil.

Now you have a refreshing and healthy start to your day.

Drugwatch.com   Cancer.org   Johnsonsbaby.com