Women plan UK legal action over talc cancer claims

Hundreds of women in the UK are planning to take on one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies over alleged links between talc and cancer.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, Cassandra Wardle is one of the women launching a group action against the biggest seller of talcum powder, Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

Cassandra, who stumbled on a Facebook article linking cancer and talc following her diagnosis, said it was used on her as a baby and she continued to use it "for 20 years or more".

If it proceeds, the legal action would be the first of its kind brought against the pharmaceutical multinational in the UK.

With 1,900 potential claimants, including cancer patients, survivors and families, lawyers say it is set to be the largest pharmaceutical product group action in English and Welsh legal history.

The BBC has spoken to a number of women with gynaecological cancers - many are part of the group action - who believe their repeated use of talcum powder played a part in their diagnosis.

Their lawyers allege that for decades, talcum powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos - something they claim J&J was aware of but sought to suppress.

J&J denies suppressing any information and denies any links between its baby powder, asbestos and cancer.

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Source: BBC News, 20 November 2024