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Talc Powder allegedly linked to cancers in new class action investigation

Shine Lawyers is investigating a class action against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of Australian women who, after regular and prolonged exposure to Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder (Johnson & Johnson’s Talcum Powder), were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and other female reproductive cancers.

Joint Head of Class Actions, Vicky Antzoulatos who is leading the investigation, said, “this investigation aims to determine whether Johnson & Johnson Talcum powder was a defective product that caused ovarian and other cancers, and was unfit for purpose and not of merchantable quality. “

“We’ve received several enquiries from women who believe their cancers were the result of exposure to this product as adults, after applying it to their genital regions,” said Antzoulatos. 

Julie Forster enquired with Shine Lawyers to seek justice for her sister Elizabeth Annette Dinjar and her family.

“A class action is so important because the rug was pulled out from my sister’s family when she passed. They have struggled to move past this loss,” she said. 

Elizabeth was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, and devastatingly, lost her battle in 2018, leaving behind three children. 

“My sister had robust health her entire life and then her ovarian cancer diagnosis came out of the blue,” Ms Forster said. 

“Elizabeth was tested for the BRCA gene but didn’t have it and then the research about Johnson & Johnson talc and ovarian cancer started to surface. It was the only explanation we could find.” 

“I was born in 1961 and Elizabeth was born in 1967. As children, we were sprinkled with talc. 

“It was applied to genital areas and all over the body as part of our bathing ritual. This occurred every day for years from when we were newborns and into our teens. She used it well into her adult years too.”

“Ovarian cancer is particularly cruel, especially at the end, and the family has never recovered.” 

“We’ve joined this investigation, so it goes some way to providing a life for the family that Elizabeth is unable to provide for.”

“We need to urge corporations to take greater care. If there’s an ingredient you’re unsure about, put people first,” she said.

Elizabeth was one of three daughters. Julie says their mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the same year Elizabeth’s cancer was detected. 

“We all just went into shock.”

“We didn’t deserve to have our sister and the children their mother, taken at the age of 50,” she said.

Women who used the talcum powder as adults on a regular basis for prolonged periods in excess of five years and developed ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal, endometrial, uterine, vaginal or cervical cancer, may be eligible to join the class action investigation. 

To register your interest and to find out more, head to: https://www.shine.com.au/service/class-actions/jj-talcum-powder-class-action

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