Perineal talc exposure and risk of ovarian carcinoma

Abstract

tence of an association between ovarian carcinoma and talcum powder use. Talc Harvey A. Risch, M.D., Ph.D.particles have been detected in histologic sections of ovarian carcinomas. It has also been demonstrated that inert particles travel from the perineum to the ovaries. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health,Results from epidemiologic investigations have varied, from risks increased by Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.twofold to no significant risk detected. METHODS.A total of 450 patients with borderline and invasive ovarian carcinoma and 564 population controls in metropolitan Toronto and nearby areas of southern Ontario, Canada, were identified. These subjects were interviewed about their reproductive and menstrual histories as well as their exposure to dusting powders. Continuous unconditional logistic regression methods were used for analysis. RESULTS.Exposure to talc, via sanitary napkins, direct application to the perineum, or both, was significantly associated with risk of ovarian carcinoma (odds ratio been suspected as a lung and ovarian carcinogen. 2,6 Like asbestos, talc is a magnesium silicate. Pulverized talc, or talcum powder, is a

Perineal talc exposure and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in the Central Valley of California

“…Our analysis found that talc use and EOC risk varied by histologic subtype, as have others who found that exposure to talc is a significant risk for invasive tumors 22 and specifically for serous invasive tumors. 21 Cook et al 11 also found an increased risk of serous tumors (including both invasive and borderline) in talc users versus nonusers.…”

“…Cornstarch use and ovarian cancer has been evaluated in a small number of case-control studies 11,21,22,26 and have been reviewed with the conclusion that no relationship exists between cornstarch and EOC, although the number of study participants using cornstarch versus talc was small. 13 Our study was not able to differentiate between use of perineal powders containing talc and those containing cornstarch, which may have driven the odds ratio toward the null.…”

Kreftrisiko blant norske papir- og cellulosearbeidere

“…Noen studier har vist at kvinner som har vaert eksponert for talkum på ytre genitalia, via pudderbruk, underlivsspray og på bind, hadde økt risiko for eggstokkreft (34,35). I norsk papir-og celluloseindustri vet vi at det har vaert brukt talkum i papirmassen for å unngå harpiksflekker i papiret.…”

Use of talcum powder and endometrial cancer risk

“…It has been postulated that talcum powder used in the perineal region can enter the genital tract and cause local pelvic inflammation. Numerous studies [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] have reported that perineal talc use is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer, although a clear dose-response relationship has not been established. In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that perineal talc use was ''possibly carcinogenic to humans'' [17,18].…”