What Is Talc?

Talcum powder is produced from talc, a magnesium trisilicate mineral, which in its natural form may contain asbestos, a known human carcinogen (any substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow). Because of this association with asbestos, all home-use talcum products marketed after about 1973 – baby powders, body powders, facial powders – have been required by law to be asbestos-free. Asbestos can cause lung cancer and mesotheliomas (cancers affecting the lining surfaces of the chest and abdominal cavities).

Does Talc Cause Cancer in Animals?

Experimental toxicology studies have suggested carcinogenicity (the ability of a substance to cause cancer) of inhaled, asbestos-free talc powder in some rodent species but not in others.

Does Talc Cause Ovarian Cancer in Humans?

It has been suggested that talcum powder may be carcinogenic to the covering layer of the ovaries through the migration of talcum powder particles (applied to the genital area, sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary. Several epidemiologic studies have examined the relationship between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings are mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no association.

A case-control study published in 1997 of 313 women with ovarian cancer and 422 without this disease found that the women with cancer were more likely to have applied talcum powder to their external genital area or to have used genital deodorant sprays. Women using these products had a 50% to 90% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Storing diaphragms with powder did not significantly increase cancer risk. Since many of these women might have used products with more asbestos contamination than that in current products, the ovarian cancer risk for current users is difficult to evaluate. One study has suggested that an increased risk, if it exists, might be confined to borderline and endometrioid (uterine-like) tumors and therefore might not affect the majority of ovarian cancers.

A prospective study (considered to generally be the most informative) published in 2000 found no effect on ovarian cancer overall but a 40% increase risk in one type – invasive serous cancers.

A meta-analysis which reanalyzed data from 16 studies published prior to 2003 found a 33% increase in ovarian risk among talc users. However, women with the highest exposure were at no greater risk than those with lower exposure, leading the researchers to question whether the association they observed was truly valid.

The most recent study of this subject found an overall 37% increased risk among talc users. It was interesting that the risk from talc use increased by 54% among women who had not had a tubal ligation (had their tubes “tied”) to prevent pregnancy, whereas talc had no impact on women whose tubes had been tied. Because tubal ligation is expected to block external carcinogens from reaching the ovaries via the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes, this finding provides some support for the idea that talc is a carcinogen.

Does Talc Cause Lung Cancer in Humans?

No increased risk of human lung cancer has been reported in association with the use of cosmetic talcum powder. Although some studies of talc miners and millers have suggested an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, others found no increase in lung cancer risk. And the industrial grade talc to which such workers are exposed contains varying amounts of silica and asbestos, unlike the purified talc sold to consumers. One study of pottery workers exposed to silica dust and nonasbestiform talc showed an excess risk of lung cancer, while other studies of occupational talc exposure have not found an increased risk. While experimental evidence suggests that some forms of silica may cause cancer in animals, observational studies in humans are not conclusive.

Advice for People Concerned About Talc and Cancer Risk

Studies of personal use of talcum powder have yielded inconsistent results, although there is some suggestion of an increase in ovarian cancer risk. No other forms of cancer appear to be associated with the use of talcum powder.

However, only a very small minority of women who have used talcum powder will ever develop ovarian cancer. And it is impossible to say to what extend talc use had contributed to these cases.

Until additional information is available about the safety of talc use, people who use powder may wish to consider avoiding these products or substituting cornstarch-based powders that contain no talc. There is no evidence at present linking cornstarch powders with any form of cancer.

References

Coggiola M, Bosio D, Pira E, Piolatto PG, La Vecchia C, Negri E, Michelazzi M, Bacaloni A. An update of a mortality study of talc miners and millers in Italy. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2003; 44:63-9.

Cook LS, Kamb ML, Weiss NS. Perineal powder exposure and the risk of ovarian cancer. Am J Epidemiol 1997; 145:459-465.

Gertrg DM, Hunter DJ, Cramer DW, Colditz GA, Speizer FE, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Prospective study of talc use and ovarian cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst; 2000: 92:249-252.

Harlow BL, Cramer DW, Bell DA, Welch WR. Perineal exposure to talc and ovarian cancer risk. Obstet Gynecol 1992; 80: 19-26.

Hartge P, Stewart PA. Occupation and ovarian cancer: a case-control study in the Washington DC metropolitan area, 1978-1981. J Occup Med 1994; 36: 924-927.

Honda Y, Beall C, Delzell E, Oestenstad K, Brill I, Matthews R. Mortality among workers at a talc mining and milling facility. Ann Occup Hyg. 2002; 46:575-85.

Huncharek M, Geschwind JF, Kupelnick B. Perineal application of cosmetic talc and risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis of 11,933 subjects from sixteen observational studies. Anticancer Res. 2003; 23:1955-60.

Mills PK, Riordan DG, Cress RD, Young HA. Perineal talc exposure and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in the Central Valley of California. Int J Cancer. 2004; 112:458-64.

Thomas TL, Stewart PA. Mortality from lung cancer and respiratory disease among pottery workers exposed to silica and talc. Am J Epidemiol 1987; 125: 35-43.

Revised: 01/31/2006