Ayrshire woman believes prolonged use of Johnson & Johnson powder caused ovarian cancer

An Ayrshire woman believes prolonged use of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) baby powder caused her ovarian cancer.

June Lennox, from Drongan, was left “bewildered” when she was diagnosed with cancer in July 2024.

The 68-year-old underwent chemotherapy and a hysterectomy as a result of the illness.

Tests were carried out to identify genetic markers, but none were found.

While researching a potential cause online, June came across numerous legal cases involving women and J&J regarding potential asbestos in baby powder products.

It is claimed that the company knew of the risks, as an internal memo from the 1960s shows that J&J sought advice from various scientists on the safety of tremolite, a type of asbestos, in its products.

The memo advised that the use of tremolite should be minimised and that the safety of talc for babies could no longer be guaranteed.

The baby powder was constant throughout June’s life and her children’s lives.

She told STV News: “My mother used it on us every single day for decades.

“When I had my children, I did the same. I used it every single day.

“We always had talcum on us if we were going swimming or going somewhere like the beach.”

The mum is one of the Scottish claimants taking the pharmaceutical giant to court.

She hopes someone can be held accountable for the potential asbestos contamination.

“You trust that if something is produced for use on babies, that it is completely safe to do so”, June said.

“It would never occur to me that there was any problem with it all, or I would never have used it.”

The sale of baby powder containing talc in the UK was stopped in 2023.

J&J has also faced legal action in the US, which has resulted in significant damages being paid out by the company.

Last December, a Baltimore woman, Cherie Craft, was awarded $1.5bn in damages after she developed mesothelioma after a lifetime of using J&J talc products.

A spokesperson from J&J said: “Research, clinical evidence and over 40 years of studies by independent medical experts around the world have supported the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder.”

Kenvue, the former J&J-associated consumer health company, has also been named in the lawsuit.

A spokesperson added: “We sympathise deeply with people living with cancer and understand that they and their families want answers - that’s why the facts are so important.

“The safety of JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder is backed by years of testing by independent and leading laboratories, universities, and health authorities in the UK and around the world.

“The high-quality cosmetic grade talc that was used in JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder was compliant with required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.”