Talcum Powder & Cancer

Northern Colorado Women's Wellness

Located in Greeley Colorado, Noco Women's Wellness is a Gynecology practice whose mission is to help women of all lifestyles heal their way to better health and happiness. Our team of female providers is dedicated to helping each patient achieve maximum wellness and to be their best self.

Women sometimes ask us about talcum powder and whether it causes cancer. We went to the American Cancer Society’s web page for an answer, and here’s what we found:

It is not clear if consumer products containing talcum powder increase cancer risk. Studies of personal use of talcum powder have had mixed results, although there is some suggestion of a possible increase in ovarian cancer risk. There is very little evidence at this time that any other forms of cancer are linked with consumer use of talcum powder.

Until more information is available, people concerned about using talcum powder may want to avoid or limit their use of consumer products that contain it. For example, they may want to consider using cornstarch-based cosmetic products instead. There is no evidence at this time linking cornstarch powders with any form of cancer.

To read more about the possible link to developing some cancers, here is the link to the American Cancer Society webpage: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html