Wednesday February 18, 2009

CAP warns of ovarian cancer risk in talcum powder

GEORGE TOWN: Instead of using talcum powder which poses health risks, consumers should use traditional bedak sejuk (rice talcum), says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).

The association made the call following findings in the United States that suggest that women who use talcum powder are 40% more likely to suffer from ovarian cancer.

»Women with ovarian cancer used talcum powder on their genitals more frequently than healthy women« S.M. MOHD IDRIS

CAP president S.M. Mohd Idris said bedak sejuk (powder made from rice flour) and powder made from corn flour were good alternatives to talcum powder.

He cited a study from the Harvard Medical School in the United States that found, from a sample of more than 3,000 women, that those using talcum once a week had a 36% higher risk of getting ovarian cancer while those using talcum daily faced a 41% higher risk.

A website that provides medical news, www.news-medical.net, reported that the study also revealed that the risk was greater still for those with a certain genetic profile.

The study’s lead researcher, Dr Maggie Gates, was also reported as saying that women should avoid using talcum powder in the genital area until more research was done,

Mohd Idris told a press conference yesterday that, despite the dangers associated with talcum powder, there were numerous talcum powder products in the market.

Some of these products were also baby products, he said.

“The majority of talcum products are being produced by well-known players in the industry and consumers buy them as they love the feel of talcum on their skin,” he added.

“Powder is an effective absorbent to help deodorise and imparts a silky touch.”

Mohd Idris said the primary component in talcum powder is magnesium silicate hydroxide, also commonly known as talc, which is the main ingredient in baby, medicated and designer perfumed body powder.

“Talc particles are capable of moving up the reproductive system and being embedded in the ovary lining,” he said.

“Researchers have found talc particles in ovarian tumour and they have also discovered that women with ovarian cancer used talcum powder on their genitals more frequently than healthy women.”

He urged the Health Ministry to place a warning on products containing talc and to stop the marketing of baby powder containing talc.