A health scare

It is intriguing that in less than three months since February, the multinational Johnson & Johnson has been fined millions of dollars in the US as compensation to a victim of ovarian cancer reportedly caused by the consistent use of J&J talc for feminine hygiene. Whilst on Tuesday the company was asked to pay the victim, whose cancer is in remission, $55 million, they earlier had to pay $75 million to another American victim who died of ovarian cancer. What is intriguing is that the company is facing 1,200 lawsuits from women, yet it is doing nothing to remove the cancer-causing talc minerals that have been found in ovarian cancer tumours. According to reports, the company became aware of this during in-house research conducted in the 1980s. There may not be 100 per cent proof linking the talc to ovarian cancer, but various studies have found significant links. Last year, the International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer found that talc use increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 30-60 per cent in 23 well-designed cases. Similar conclusions were arrived at by studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute recently.

The Indian government should take cognisance of these studies and look into the J&J talc sold in India. It cannot turn a blind eye to something which is much more serious than the scare it created over Maggie noodles. The various health departments responsible for protecting the health of citizens should also wake up and insist on the company putting a warning on their packs and bottles, as is done in the case of cigarettes. As they say, prevention is better than cure.