Talcum powder has gotten a negative reputation in the news over the past few years. As a result, many people, and women, in particular, have reconsidered purchasing hygiene products that contain this ingredient. Giving up talcum products doesn’t mean you want to give up the benefits you may have experienced when you were still using it. Luckily, there are affordable alternatives.
There is dangerous and conflicting information about talcum powder. It has been linked to asbestos and ovarian cancer. Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Using alternatives to talcum powder can help keep you fresh throughout the day without the risk of sickness.
More About Talcum Powder and Cancer
There is growing evidence that applying talc to the genital area after bathing or showering can increase the chances of ovarian cancer. The longer a woman uses talc, the higher the likelihood of cancer. If you’ve ever used body powder on yourself or your child, there are a few things you should be aware of.
About one in every 75 women will have ovarian cancer at some point in life. This is a little more than 1% and a low risk compared to the risk of breast cancer, which is 12%. However, there is no ovarian cancer screening, unlike breast cancer. For this reason, ovarian cancer is seldom diagnosed early.
There were more than 20,000 new ovarian cancer cases and 14,000 deaths from ovarian cancer in 2017. However, when this type of cancer is detected early, women have about a 93% chance of survival as much as five years after the diagnosis. These odds drop drastically to around 30% if ovarian cancer is found once it has spread to other areas of the body.
Several research studies were conducted on thousands of women. The studies confirmed that women who use talcum powder have a 30% higher chance of developing ovarian cancer than women who don’t. In other words, a woman increases the likelihood of ovarian cancer from 1.3% to 1.7% if she uses talcum powder.
This still means that the risk of ovarian cancer is low. However, the percentages indicate that if one million women use powder that contains talc, 4,000 more of these women will get ovarian cancer.
Don’t Use Talcum, Use These Instead
These are some alternatives to talcum powder that you can use daily. These natural ingredients are made from safe ingredients and do not cause cancer.
Cornstarch
You can cornstarch in the baking section of the grocery store, and it has the same consistency of talc. Cornstarch prevents excess moisture, and it is safe for adults and children.
Arrowroot or Tapioca Starch
You can use tapioca starch for more than baking. It is made from the cassava plant, and it is a great way to soothe diaper rash and prevent body odor throughout the day.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has many uses, and you can use it instead of baby powder or deodorant. It may be best to mix the baking soda with cornstarch or a little water if you’re using it under your arms to prevent irritation.
Oat Flour
Oat flour is a thicker alternative to talcum powder, and it may be useful if you’re in hot weather and want to avoid sweating. This flour is also ideal for people with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
It is also best to use non-talc products because talc should not be inhaled. When you use powder that contains talc, and small particles of the powder are swallowed or inhaled, it can cause breathing issues, especially in young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics asserts that parents should use caution when using talcum powder on infants.
If you have developed ovarian cancer as a result of using talcum powder, you could be entitled to compensation. This is often the case when the company manufacturing the powder did not warn consumers of the risk of cancer. You can follow this link for more information about filing a lawsuit.
