Women who regularly use talcum powder are almost a quarter more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, scientists say.
Forty per cent of women are thought to apply talcum powder daily for intimate personal hygiene, but research published in journal Cancer Prevention Research shows doing so increases risk of ovarian tumour by 24 per cent, the Daily Mail reports.
Previous studies have linked use of powder to tumours and some have detected links with ovarian cancer with inconclusive results.
But this recent study analysed data from eight separate studies comparing 8,525 women diagnosed with cancer and 9,800 women who were cancer-free.
Comparing talcum powder use between the two groups showed applying talc after bathing or showering raised the risk of an ovarian tumour by 24 per cent.
The researched warned particles could travel into a woman’s body and cause inflammation which could heed growth of cancer cells.
In Australia, more than 1300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and 800 women will die from the disease.
Approximately 75 percent of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and is difficult to treat successfully.
At the moment, only 43 per cent of women with ovarian cancer will be alive five years later.
It is known as the ‘silent killer’ because of the low survival rate as the lack of early warning signs mean the cancer is often detected at an advanced stage.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
