Women have been warned not to put talcum powder in their underwear following a landmark legal case in the US.
Jackie Fox, who died last year aged 62 from ovarian cancer, claimed her condition was caused by her use of the Johnson & Johnson product.
She was said to have applied talcum powder to her perineum on a daily basis.
This week her family were awarded $72 million (£51 million) in damages by a court in Missouri following her death in October.
Scientists have insisted there is no need to panic because evidence linking talcum powder with ovarian cancer is weak.
But Katherine Taylor, of Ovarian Cancer Action, told the Times: “If you’re using talc, don’t panic.
“Given the evidence is inconsistent we do advocate a ‘better safe than sorry’ attitude and advise that women using talc on their genitals stop doing so. But the suggested increased risk is very small.”
Johnson & Johnson has insisted talc is safe and is expected to appeal the ruling.
