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baby powder and uti
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niarn posted:
I was told that baby powder used on genital area can cause uti- where can I find literature to confirm this.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:baby powder and utiI was told that baby powder used on genital area can cause uti- where can I find literature to confirm this.
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear niarn: The concern about powder in the genital area relates to talcum (talc) rather than the cornstarch base of most baby powders now sold in the US. Most of the literature at the National Library of Medicine site focus on talcum powder and an increased risk for ovarian cancer, and cancer of the uterine lining. Here is one of the more recent citations:

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2011 Nov;20(6):501-7.
Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer risk: a case study of scientific standards in environmental epidemiology.
Huncharek M, Muscat J.
Source

Meta-Analysis Research Group, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA. metaresearch@hotmail.com
Abstract

A number of observational studies (largely case-control) conducted over the last two decades suggest an association between use of talc powders on the female perineum and increased risk of ovarian cancer. A subset of these reports shows a roughly 30-60% increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with perineal talc exposure. A number of researchers partly base their conclusions of an association on the '"026chemical relationship between talc and asbestos', the latter substance being a known human carcinogen. Although separating causal from noncausal explanations for an observed statistical association is a difficult process, there currently exist commonly accepted guidelines by which such inferences can be made. These scientific approaches include consideration of the strength of the association, the consistency of the finding across studies, and existence of a biological explanation of the observed phenomenon, among others. When applied to the context of a proposed talc/ovarian cancer association, we conclude that the weak statistical associations observed in a number of epidemiological studies do not support a causal association.

Niarn, I could not find any citations linking talcum powder and UTIs or bladder cancer. ...If you are accustomed to using powder in the genital area, check to be sure that it is cornstarch without talcum or talc.

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:baby powder and utiDear niarn: The concern about powder in the genital area relates to talcum (talc) rather than the cornstarch base of most baby powders now sold in the US. Most of the literature at the National Library of Medicine site focus on talcum powder and an increased risk for ovarian cancer, and cancer of the uterine lining. Here is one of the more recent citations:<br /><br />Eur J Cancer Prev. 2011 Nov;20(6):501-7.<br />Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer risk: a case study of scientific standards in environmental epidemiology.<br />Huncharek M, Muscat J.<br />Source<br /><br />Meta-Analysis Research Group, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA. metaresearch@hotmail.com<br />Abstract<br /><br />A number of observational studies (largely case-control) conducted over the last two decades suggest an association between use of talc powders on the female perineum and increased risk of ovarian cancer. A subset of these reports shows a roughly 30-60% increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with perineal talc exposure. A number of researchers partly base their conclusions of an association on the '"026chemical relationship between talc and asbestos', the latter substance being a known human carcinogen. Although separating causal from noncausal explanations for an observed statistical association is a difficult process, there currently exist commonly accepted guidelines by which such inferences can be made. These scientific approaches include consideration of the strength of the association, the consistency of the finding across studies, and existence of a biological explanation of the observed phenomenon, among others. When applied to the context of a proposed talc/ovarian cancer association, we conclude that the weak statistical associations observed in a number of epidemiological studies do not support a causal association.<br /><br />Niarn, I could not find any citations linking talcum powder and UTIs or bladder cancer. ...If you are accustomed to using powder in the genital area, check to be sure that it is cornstarch without talcum or talc.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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