FDA Offers Grants to Research Talc-Cancer Link in Women

“Talc’s effects on female genital system tissues have not been adequately investigated,” said Dr. Nakissa Sadrieh, one of scientists who has received grant money from the U.S. FDA’s Office of Women’s Health to research talc’s link to ovarian cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health awards grants “for 1-2 year studies […]

April 6, 2017

fda-funded-research-talc-cancer-link “Talc’s effects on female genital system tissues have not been adequately investigated,” said Dr. Nakissa Sadrieh, one of scientists who has received grant money from the U.S. FDA’s Office of Women’s Health to research talc’s link to ovarian cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health awards grants “for 1-2 year studies to address regulatory research questions related to women’s health issues and the impact of sex differences on product safety and efficacy.”

Controversy continues to surround the topic of a possible link between talc and ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson, manufacturer of talcum powder products used for decades for feminine hygiene, has faced literally thousands of lawsuits by women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Dr. Sadrieh’s proposed research would help “fill in some of the existing data gaps.” She referenced one 2009 study in which researchers injected talc into rats intravaginally every day for three months. Early results showed unfavorable effects in the rats’ genital systems, but Dr. Sandrieh called for more studies with “longer exposure periods and more detailed evaluation of the early events in genital system tissue transformation.”

FDA-funded research like Dr. Sandrieh’s could provide vital information that would help establish a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.