Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer risk

Abstract

A number of observational studies (largely case-control) conducted over the last two decades suggest an association between use of talc powders on the female perineum and increased risk of ovarian cancer. A subset of these reports shows a roughly 30-60% increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with perineal talc exposure. A number of researchers partly base their conclusions of an association on the '…chemical relationship between talc and asbestos', the latter substance being a known human carcinogen. Although separating causal from noncausal explanations for an observed statistical association is a difficult process, there currently exist commonly accepted guidelines by which such inferences can be made. These scientific approaches include consideration of the strength of the association, the consistency of the finding across studies, and existence of a biological explanation of the observed phenomenon, among others. When applied to the context of a proposed talc/ovarian cancer association, we conclude that the weak statistical associations observed in a number of epidemiological studies do not support a causal association.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Targeted immune therapy of ovarian cancer

“…One proposed environmental exposure shown to induce inflammation in animal models is talcum powder [17]. Composed primarily of magnesium silicate, this moisture absorbing substance has been linked to ovarian cancer risk in a number of studies [6, 18-20] although selection bias and confounding were strong concerns for the studies that found these associations [21, 22]. The strong correlation between endometriosis and ovarian cancer also supports the chronic inflammation hypothesis.…”

The Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Ovarian Cancer

“…18 Composed primarily of magnesium silicate, this moisture absorbing substance has been linked to ovarian cancer risk in a number of studies, 6, 19–21 although selection bias and confounding were strong concerns for the studies that found these associations. 22, 23 The strong correlation between endometriosis and ovarian cancer also supports the chronic inflammation hypothesis. Endometriosis involves endometrial cells growing outside of the uterus and has been investigated extensively as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.…”

Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature

“…The debate on the role of talc as a carcinogen has continued until now. In 2011, Huncharek and Muscat [ 213 ] applied Bradford Hill’s criteria to epidemiological studies and concluded that a causal association between perineal talc use and ovarian cancer was not sufficiently proven. In contrast, Terry et al [ 185 ] analyzed 8525 cases and 9859 controls, and they found that genital powder use was associated with a small-to-moderate increase in the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.…”