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That link says what I'm saying: it's not clear that this is really happening.

> Many studies in women have looked at the possible link between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings have been mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no increase. Many case-control studies have found a small increase in risk. But these types of studies can be biased because they often rely on a person’s memory of talc use many years earlier. Two prospective cohort studies, which would not have the same type of potential bias, have not found an increased risk.




Even if there is a correlation, there might not be a cause and effect relationship.

For example, it's known that female reproductive cancers are associated with the levels of various female sex hormones. Female sex hormones also affect the vaginal lining and external genitalia (in particular, moisture levels). It might be that women who are prone to ovarian cancer due to hormone levels also have a vaginal/labial situation that makes them more likely to apply powder to keep the area dry. If that were the case, you'd see a correlation with no cause and effect relation whatsoever.

(just an illustration... I'm not claiming this is what's going on, but I'd probably try to argue something like that if I were a lawyer for J&J).

However, if the coverup of the correlation is as described in the article, that would be a bad, bad thing.


I wonder if this is going to end up like the breast implant thing, with lawyers getting rich and companies in bankruptcy before we take a step back and realize the law is way ahead of the science.


This is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe the law as being ahead of anything.


Perhaps I should have said the lawsuits were ahead of the science.




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