2019•Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicineOpen access

Serous Ovarian Cancer Caused by Exposure to Asbestos and Fibrous Talc in Cosmetic Talc Powders—A Case Series

Joan E. Steffen, Triet Tran, Muna Yimam, Kate Clancy, Tess Bird, Mark W. Rigler, William E. Longo, David Egilman

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Asbestos is a known cause of ovarian cancer. We report 10 cases of serous ovarian cancer among users of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) asbestos-containing "cosmetic" talc products. METHODS: We conducted an asbestos exposure assessment during talc application and analyzed surgical tissues and talc containers for asbestos and talc. RESULTS: Talc was found in all cases and tremolite and/or anthophyllite asbestos was found in 8/10 cases. The asbestos fibers found in the "cosmetic" talc containers matched those found in tissues. We estimated inhaled asbestos dose ranged from 0.38 to 5.18 fiber years. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that the inhaled dose of asbestos/fibrous talc from "cosmetic" talc use causes ovarian cancer. The unique combination of the types of asbestiform minerals detected in cancerous tissue and "cosmetic" talc is a fingerprint for exposure to asbestos-containing talc.

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Key concepts: Talc, Asbestos, Tremolite, Chrysotile, Serous fluid, Medicine, Ovarian cancer, Cancer