Many women apply talcum powder every day to keep the vagina dry. However, according to a recent study in the U.S., the risk of ovarian cancer in these individuals will rise to 40%.
Scientists said that a small amount of talcum powder when applied to the vagina can enter the ovaries and lead to inflammation, enabling cancer cells to grow.
As recommended by scientists, all women should immediately stop using talcum powder.
Experts from Harvard Medical School in Boston studied more than 3,000 women. They found using talc merely once a week raised the risk of cancer up to 36% and up to 40% for those applying powder every day.
These results indicate that the talc used around the genital area, not the other parts of the body.
The study also revealed that the risk is even higher for some women with certain genetic profile. People who carry a gene called GSTM1, but lacking GSTT1 gene, the risk of developing tumors is nearly 3 times. These two genes have a protective effect on the body against certain toxins.
Talc is made from a soft mineral called hydrous magnesium silicate, very popular. It is crushed, dried and milled to produce powder used in cosmetics. Some experts said that it is chemically similar to asbestos can cause lung cancer.
From laboratory studies show that when cells in the ovary is exposed to talc divide more rapidly, a hallmark of cancer.
The problem is that scientists have not shown that powder can pass through the reproductive tract and then into the ovary.
However, last year a team of doctors at Harvard Medical School have discovered a very small amount of powder in the pelvis was 68 years old woman with ovarian cancer. She had used talc every day for 30 years.
Professor Maggie Gates, who heads the research team said, before any further research on this issue, women should avoid using talcum powder around the genitals.
Scientists said that a small amount of talcum powder when applied to the vagina can enter the ovaries and lead to inflammation, enabling cancer cells to grow.
As recommended by scientists, all women should immediately stop using talcum powder.
Experts from Harvard Medical School in Boston studied more than 3,000 women. They found using talc merely once a week raised the risk of cancer up to 36% and up to 40% for those applying powder every day.
These results indicate that the talc used around the genital area, not the other parts of the body.
The study also revealed that the risk is even higher for some women with certain genetic profile. People who carry a gene called GSTM1, but lacking GSTT1 gene, the risk of developing tumors is nearly 3 times. These two genes have a protective effect on the body against certain toxins.
Talc is made from a soft mineral called hydrous magnesium silicate, very popular. It is crushed, dried and milled to produce powder used in cosmetics. Some experts said that it is chemically similar to asbestos can cause lung cancer.
From laboratory studies show that when cells in the ovary is exposed to talc divide more rapidly, a hallmark of cancer.
The problem is that scientists have not shown that powder can pass through the reproductive tract and then into the ovary.
However, last year a team of doctors at Harvard Medical School have discovered a very small amount of powder in the pelvis was 68 years old woman with ovarian cancer. She had used talc every day for 30 years.
Professor Maggie Gates, who heads the research team said, before any further research on this issue, women should avoid using talcum powder around the genitals.
