Table of contents:
- What is contained in loose powder?
- How can powder in the vagina cause ovarian cancer?
- What can I do to avoid the risk of ovarian cancer?
Loose powder has been used for generations as a baby fragrance as well as to keep skin dry and avoid rashes. Some women also use powder on the vagina as a way to keep the vagina dry and fragrant. But behind its softness, the loose powder holds a more unsettling secret.
Based on a series of study evidence and scientific research that has been accumulated since the last few decades, health experts are increasingly active in urging women not to use powder anymore to scent their intimate areas. They insist that this habit can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 20-30 percent. How come?
What is contained in loose powder?
Powder alias talcum powder widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and body powder, face powder, as well as in a number of other consumer products. Loose powder is also often used by women as a way to keep the vagina cool, rough, and free from odors.
The classic powder on the market contains talcum. Talcum is a fine grain produced from the crushing, drying and grinding process of talc clay minerals. In its most natural form, talcum as a result of the mining process also contains other minerals, such as magnesium, silicon and asbestos.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the WHO, classified talc as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" based on studies of use in the genital area. Meanwhile, asbestos is known to be proven as a rare lung cancer trigger, especially when inhaled.
How can powder in the vagina cause ovarian cancer?
Although now all commercial powders are guaranteed to be free from asbestos, this powder still contains super fine talcum fiber which takes years to dissolve. Scientists believe that when powder is applied to the genital area (onto the material of the underwear; or onto the surface of the pantyliner), the fine grains are carried into the body through the vagina - through the uterus and along the fallopian tubes to the ovaries, creating a build-up and triggering an inflammatory reaction similar to the effect. asbestos carcinogen in the lungs.
This study by Cancer Prevention Research, which involved nearly 2,000 women, found no direct relationship between how much powder was used and cancer risk: use ranged from daily to occasional.
This study supports a number of other studies, including one 2003 analysis that combined 16 studies that found an increased risk of ovarian cancer by up to 30 percent among women using loose powder.
However, individually, even if a woman has a risk of ovarian cancer, the likelihood of an increased risk from using loose powder is very small. A woman's average lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is less than 2%, so a 30% increase will only slightly increase your risk.
On the other hand, many experts argue that studies like this can be biased because they tend to rely more on the relative memory of study respondents about the use of loose powder from previous years.
What can I do to avoid the risk of ovarian cancer?
Talc is used widely in many cosmetic and personal hygiene products, so it is important to determine whether the increased risk is real. If you are concerned about using a product containing talc, then the best protection is to limit your exposure.
As the American Cancer Society suggests, cornstarch-based cosmetic powder products may be a safer alternative because to date there is no evidence linking cornstarch powder to cancer development.
If you have problems with vaginal moisture, especially when menstruating or experiencing vaginal discharge, do not use loose powder at all. Just clean your vagina with warm water, at least twice a day, to get rid of germs and bacteria.
You can also use feminine cleansers that contain povidone-iodine to prevent vaginal infections, especially during menstruation. After washing your vagina, don't forget to always dry it before putting your underwear back on.
To keep the vagina dry. If you are prone to sweating in the vaginal area, doctors recommend wearing cotton clothing and changing clean underwear frequently, avoiding wearing tights, or simply removing your underwear during the night's sleep (to give your intimate area a chance to breathe).
Lastly, it is important to note that based on the above research, talc is not the sole direct culprit of any type of cancer, but is strongly suspected of exacerbating the risk and symptoms. Every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer is urged to consider the possibility of having her disease associated with a history of using loose powder.
However, research from the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2020 showed that baby powder was not significantly associated with ovarian cancer risk. However, further research is still needed to really determine whether sprinkling baby powder on the vagina can lead to the risk of ovarian cancer.
