Talc, Asbestos, and Epidemiology: Corporate Influence and Scientific Incognizance

Tran, Triet; Steffen, Joan E; Clancy, Kate; Bird, Tess; Egilman, David

doi:10.1097/ede.0000000000001091

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The patient reported the use of cosmetic talc for perineal hygiene from birth (1933) until 1980. It is well documented that until 1976, cosmetic talc was frequently contaminated by asbestos [ 31 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. SEM-EDS analyses revealed the presence of fibers probably attributable to asbestos tremolite.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concerning the role of contaminated talc, the first reports that suggested cosmetic talc use in the genital region as a possible factor for ovarian cancer date back to the 1970s [ 12 , 174 , 175 ], and until 1976 cosmetic talc was frequently contaminated by asbestos [ 31 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. However, this remains an open debate with not yet conclusive results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature

Vimercati

Cavone

Delfino

et al. 2021

Cancers

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Primary ovarian mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive neoplastic disease with a poor prognosis. At onset, the tumor is only rarely limited to the ovaries and usually already widespread in the peritoneum. The rarity of this entity and the difficulties differentiating it from either ovarian carcinoma or peritoneal mesothelioma may lead to frequent misdiagnoses and may raise some concerns about its histogenesis. Thus, reporting such rare cases is fundamental to gain greater awareness of this neoplasm and try to answer unsolved questions. Herein, we described four cases of histological diagnoses of ovarian mesothelioma extrapolated by the regional mesothelioma register of Apulia (southern Italy). In all cases, a detailed medical history was collected according to national mesothelioma register guidelines. A broad panel of antibodies was used for immunohistochemistry to confirm the diagnoses. Moreover, ovarian tissue samples were also examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, detecting asbestos fibers and talc crystals in two cases. Because of the few cases described, we reviewed the English literature in the Medline database, focusing on articles about ovarian mesothelioma “misclassification”, “misdiagnosis”, “diagnostic challenge” or “diagnostic pitfall” and on unsolved questions about its histogenesis and possible risk factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature

Vimercati

Cavone

Delfino

et al. 2021

Cancers

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show abstract

“…Of thirty-two epidemiologic studies of talc and ovarian cancer, twelve accepted the claim that cosmetic talc products have been asbestos-free since 1976. 15 Without an alternative mechanistic explanation, some researchers rejected causal associations between talc use and ovarian cancer. 15 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 15 Without an alternative mechanistic explanation, some researchers rejected causal associations between talc use and ovarian cancer. 15 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of the Talc Industry’s Influence on Federal Regulation and Scientific Standards for Asbestos in Talc

Bird

Steffen

Tran³

et al. 2021

New Solut

Self Cite

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The talc industry and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have asserted that talc has been asbestos-free since 1976 when the industry created a voluntary specification for the asbestos content of cosmetic talc. However, recent evidence reveals that cosmetic talc is not and never was asbestos-free. This narrative review examines the talc industry’s role in delaying and ultimately blocking federal regulation of cosmetic talc from the 1970s to today. We review primary source material, including corporate documents released in recent litigation and FDA documents released in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. Our results indicate that the talc industry exerted considerable influence over three key areas: regulatory proceedings at the FDA; testing methods and the manipulation of test results (including undisclosed results); and press coverage and the medical literature. The talc companies’ actions and FDA indifference have had a lasting effect on consumer health, including the regulation of talc by other government agencies.

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Genital powder use and risk of uterine cancer: A pooled analysis of prospective studies

O’Brien

Tworoger

Harris

et al. 2021

Intl Journal of Cancer

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When powder is applied to the genital area, it has the potential to reach internal reproductive organs and promote carcinogenesis by irritating and inflaming exposed tissues. Although many studies have considered the association between genital powder use and ovarian cancer risk, the relationship between genital powder use and uterine cancer is less well‐studied. We pooled data from four large, prospective cohorts (the Nurses' Health Study, the Nurses' Health Study II, the Sister Study and the Women's Health Initiative ‐ Observational Study). We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for prespecified confounders. In total, 209 185 women were included, with 37% reporting ever genital powder use. Over a mean 14.5 years of follow‐up, 3272 invasive uterine cancers were diagnosed. There was no overall association between ever genital powder use and uterine cancer (HR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94‐1.09), with little difference observed for frequent (≥1 times/week) vs never use (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.95‐1.16; P‐for‐trend = .46). Long‐term use (>20 years; HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.96‐1.31; P‐for‐trend = 0.14) was associated with a small, but not statistically significant, increase in risk, compared to never use. There were not clear differences by uterine cancer histologic subtypes or across strata of relevant covariates, including race/ethnicity, follow‐up time, menopausal status and body mass index. The results of this large, pooled analysis do not support a relationship between the use of genital powder and uterine cancer, although the positive associations observed for long‐term use may merit further consideration.

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Talc, Asbestos, and Epidemiology: Corporate Influence and Scientific Incognizance

Cited by 22 publications

References 61 publications

Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature

Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature

A Review of the Talc Industry’s Influence on Federal Regulation and Scientific Standards for Asbestos in Talc

Genital powder use and risk of uterine cancer: A pooled analysis of prospective studies

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