Bladder cancer is not a common form of cancer that has associations with talcum powder use. However, the inhalation of asbestos-containing talc or the absorption of talc into the body when using it as a feminine hygiene product could potentially find its way into the bladder to develop cancer.
Talc and the Cancer Connection
Talc is a soft mineral found in the Earth, and once manufacturers grind this mineral down to powder form, it remains an excellent way to prevent moisture and chafing. Used for nearly a century, talcum powder and talc-containing products are a common staple in most nurseries for use in babies’ diapers as well as a tool for moisture-prevention for adults. Talc mines often exist in the ground geographically near asbestos mines. While talc is not considered a carcinogen independently, due to the fact that it exists in close proximity to asbestos in the ground, researchers began to notice that talc often contains asbestos particles.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and therefore, users of talc products began to suffer from the development of different types of cancers due to their use of talcum products. In fact, the European Journal of Cancer Prevention research indicated that cancerous tissue samples contained asbestos within the tumors of ovarian cancer patients.
Asbestos continues to have links to mesothelioma of the lungs, heart, and testicles, as well as ovarian, uterine and peritoneal cancer. While research does not directly connect talcum as a cause of bladder cancer, the fact that talcum and peritoneal cancer remain related and connected can make a significant argument that talcum can also increase the risk of bladder cancer as well.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer affects 68,000 adults in the United States every year according to the Mayo Clinic. While bladder cancer is a common cancer, it typically affects men more frequently than women, and older adults more frequently than younger adults. Bladder cancer begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder and usually remains highly treatable if discovered in early stages. However, bladder cancer does have a tendency to return; therefore, any person diagnosed with bladder cancer that obtains successful treatment should still continue to receive follow-up visits for early detection of any recurrences.
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Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Some of the symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, painful urination, or pelvic pain. If you have hematuria (blood in the urine), your urine may appear brownish or reddish in color. In some cases, patients that develop bladder cancer do not notice any change in the color of their urine, but an examination of the urine detects traces of blood. Additionally, patients that develop bladder cancer may experience frequent urination or back pain. It is important to note that these symptoms can also indicate other medical issues, many of which are benign. Always seek the advice of a medical professional who will then determine diagnostic testing and appropriate treatments.
Causes of Bladder Cancer
There are many different causes of bladder cancer. Some of the causes may include smoking or tobacco use, past exposure to radiation, chronic irritation in the bladder lining, parasitic infections, and the exposure to specific chemicals that increase the risk of bladder cancer. In some cases, a patient that develops bladder cancer will not know why they developed bladder cancer. It is important to note that talcum powder use has a connection to peritoneal, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Given that the bladder is in this same anatomical area, it is possible that talcum could also cause bladder cancer as well.
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Talcum, Asbestos, and Lawsuits Due to the Development of Cancer
Many talcum powder manufacturers, such as Johnson & Johnson and Gold Bond have now had to pay large sums of money to victims that claim the development of their cancer was the direct result of their exposure to asbestos-containing talcum powder products. Some of these lawsuits resulted in millions (or billions) of dollars for victims. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) indicates that as of October 2019, over 13,000 lawsuits exist now against different talcum powder manufacturers.
While the direct medical and scientific connection between talcum powder causing bladder cancer has not had substantial evidence, a victim still has the legal right to pursue a claim for the development of bladder cancer after years of talcum powder use. Juries continue to award large settlements to victims suffering from cancers associated with the use of talcum powders and talc-containing products.
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A Talcum Lawsuit Lawyer Can Help You with Your Case
If you developed bladder cancer following a long period of using talc-containing products, consider visiting with our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099 to learn how a talcum powder lawsuit lawyer can help you pursue justice and understand your legal rights and options with respect to your bladder cancer.
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