Scientists warn of possible talcum powder, cancer link

Scientists are warning women that using talcum powder may increase the risk of contracting ovarian cancer.

A study conducted by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research has been trying to determine risk factors in contracting the disease, which kills more than 600 women in Australia each year.

Researcher Dr David Purdie says they found that tubal sterilisation or hysterectomies reduced the risk by up to 40 per cent.

He says the study also showed that women who used talcum powder for 'hygiene', if they had not had a tubal ligation, were more prone to ovarian cancer.

"So our hypothesis was that these substances or carcinogens that women are exposed to in the environment are making their way up through the vagina and cervix into the uterus up through the fallopian tubes and actually attaching themselves to the ovary," he said.

"And there's biological proof of this where they've actually taken out women's ovaries and found talc on the ovary."

"So it definitely is possible."

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