Women have been warned to stop using talcum powder around their genitals after research found it could increase the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40%.

Although previous studies have raised concern about talcum powder, American scientists now fear it can travel up a woman's reproductive tract as far as the ovaries and cause inflammation that allows cancer cells to flourish.

Scientists at Harvard Medical School studied more than 3000 women and found using talc once a week raised the risk of ovarian cancer by 36%, rising to 41% for those who use it every day.

The findings, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, apply only to talcum powder used around the genital area, not the rest of the body.

Cancer Council of Australia chief executive Professor Ian Olver said women should avoid using talcum powder on their genitals until the outcome of further research. "It doesn't make the case definitively, but given we have no way of screening for ovarian cancer and it's difficult to pick up the symptoms, this is something women can do to reduce their risk," he said.

 

The study revealed that the risks were greater still for those with a certain genetic profile.

Women carrying a gene called glutathione S-transferase M1, or GSTM1, but lacking a gene called glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1), were nearly three times as likely to develop tumours. About one in 10 Caucasian women is thought to have this genetic profile.

Ovarian cancer is often termed the silent cancer, as it grows quietly and is often detected only in the final stages. It is the sixth biggest killer of all cancers for Australian women. About 1200 new cases are diagnosed annually with 800 deaths.

Until now, it has been thought the main risk factors included a family history of the disease, having already had breast cancer and starting periods at a young age.

Source : www.theage.com.au