Understanding Ovarian Cancer in Light of the J&J Talc Lawsuits

Two juries have now sided with plaintiffs in lawsuits against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, awarding a combined $127 million in damages. Those lawsuits claims that the plaintiffs’ use of talc-based feminine hygiene products led to their developing ovarian cancer. These decisions are very important, and not only because they hold J&J accountable for their defective products. If J&J is making a product that can increase the number of women who develop ovarian cancer every year, then the public need to know more about the disease.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we believe that information is power. We want you to know more about ovarian cancer and the potential link between using talc cosmetics and developing the illness. If you believe you have a case, you can contact an experienced South Carolina defective product attorney at our firm by filling out this form or calling 803-327-7800.

What you should know about ovarian cancer

One of the reasons ovarian cancer is so deadly is because many doctors do not catch it early enough. In fact, the American Cancer Society says that only about 20% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed while still in the early stage. If it is caught early, while still in a localized stage, a patient has a much better chance at surviving. By the time a patient reaches the second stage, her chances of surviving past 5 years drops to 70%. In stage three, it drops to 39%.

Another dilemma with diagnosing ovarian cancer is that the early stages don’t always present with symptoms. When they do, those symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Pain in the pelvic region, abdomen or back
• Pain during intercourse
• Trouble eating
• Feeling like you have to frequently or urgently use the bathroom
• Fatigue
• Changes in the menstrual cycle

These symptoms are common enough that they can be explained away by women as part of another condition, so many patients don’t think to get the tests they need. Since most patients are older women, who may be experiencing menopause at the time, signs like fatigue, changes in the cycle or bloating might seem par for the course. Doctors, too, may miss a diagnosis of ovarian cancer for these very reasons – and especially if the patient has no symptoms at all.

Are there ways to obtain an early diagnosis?

Pelvic exams should be done regularly. These are different from Pap smears, which can detect cervical cancer, but are not able (usually) to detect ovarian cancer. There are no real screening tests available at this time, so doctors usually use transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test. The TVUS can detect a mass in the ovaries, but it cannot determine whether or not the mass is a cancerous tumor. The CA-125 looks for elevated protein levels, which can indicate ovarian cancer. When the two tests are done together, doctors have the best chance of diagnosing the disease. Unfortunately, there are a lot of other factors at play, which is why routine testing is necessary in order to offer the best protection for women.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we support women. We protect the rights of families throughout South Carolina who have been injured because of a defective product. Please contact us to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced South Carolina defective products attorney. You can fill out this form or call 803-327-7800 to find out more.