Cinco Vidas

Ladies, it’s one thing to “feel fresh,”—but another if that freshness promotes ovarian cancer. That’s the findings of several studies on women who have applied talcum powder to the external genital area or used talcum-containing genital deodorant sprays.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), talcum powder particles applied to the genital area, on sanitary napkins, or on diaphragms and condoms may migrate to the ovaries where they can cause damage. A study in 1997 of 313 women with ovarian cancer and 422 without found that the women with cancer were more likely to have applied talcum powder to the external genital area or to have used genital deodorant sprays. Women using these products had a 50-90% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Another study in 2000 showed no effect on ovarian cancer, but a 40% increase in invasive, serious cancers. A meta-analysis in 2003 found a 33% higher risk of ovarian cancer among talc users. (more…)