Category: News

Home US-based pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson put forward an $8.9 billion settlement to resolve all the lawsuits which alleged that their talc powder products cause cancer. A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson will re-file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and seek court permission for a plan that would lead to one of the biggest product-liability settlements in the country’s history. Continue reading this article for a better understanding of the lawsuit. “>”>What is the story behind the Johnson & Johnson controversy?  Johnson & Johnson is a multinational corporation founded in 1886 that developed packaged goods, pharmaceutical products and medical devices. The company has been the subject of over 40,000 lawsuits which claimed that its talcum powder causes ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. It is because the powder is contaminated with asbestos which is a naturally occurring silicate material, also a known carcinogen. Most adult women use Johnson & Johnson baby powder for feminine hygiene Read: A healthy lifestyle and early screening help us deal with hormone dependent cancer: Dr Sandip Bipte shares his expertise  In 2015, a 62-year-old woman died due to ovarian cancer, and a court ordered the company to pay her family compensation worth $72 million. Afterwards, over 1,000 women in the country sued Johnson & Johnson for covering up the cancer risk. Subsequently, more and more women came forward with lawsuits, including an ovarian cancer victim who was awarded $400 million compensation by a jury in California. The cases eventually reached the supreme court of the United States, which refused to consider an appeal from Johnson & Johnson.  Though they stand firm on their argument that the powder is safe for use, Johnson & Johnson announced in 2020 that they would stop making talc-based powder and replace it with cornstarch-based powder. In India, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration cancelled J&J manufacturing licence. Samples taken from a Mulund plant were declared “not of standard quality” in 2019, though this decision was set aside by the Bombay High Court.  Read: 10 risk factors for head and neck cancer  “>How is asbestos linked to cancer risk in people? “> Cancer is defined as a condition where the old cells in the human body abnormally divide to form lumps of tissue called tumours, which can spread to other parts, a condition called metastasis. It is often the result of injuries or mutations within the human body where the normal process of DNA repair does not happen. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, a material that can cause mutation within the human body. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is used to make products such as insulation materials, wallboard materials, fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, etc. When asbestos enters the human body, it remains there for a long time, possibly creating inflammation and scarring. However, people should know that only prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause massive damage to the human body. For example, people who engage in textiles or renovation, repair, and construction of asbestos-containing materials are exposed to high levels of this mineral.  Read: Benign and malignant tumours Why is it essential to understand the distinction  Asbestos exposure is linked to the following cancers;  Mesothelioma: It is the most reported cancer that occurs as a result of asbestos exposure, and it is noted in the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. It is the type of cancer that affects the lining of certain body organs’ outer surfaces, notably the lungs, stomach, testicles, and heart. Ovarian cancer: It is the type of cancer that affects the ovaries, the female sexual organ which produces eggs or ovum and secretes the female hormone estrogen.  Lung cancer:​ It is the type of cancer that begins in the lungs and then spreads to other parts of the human body, including the brain.  Larynx cancer:​ Laryngeal cancer is the type of cancer that affects an individual’s voice box or larynx. “>Does Johnson & Johnson talc powder contain asbestos? “> A research report published by Reuters cited a mesothelioma victim who, for a long time, didn’t know how she was exposed to unhealthy levels of asbestos. It was her personal injury lawyer who found out that Johnson’s Baby Powder had asbestos-contaminated talc in it.  Over the years, people from various sections sued the multinational corporation. J&J also hid the fact that different tests by at least three different labs from 1972 to 1975 mentioned the presence of asbestos in it’s talc. Experts representing J&J defense team stood firm regarding the safety of the powders. However, medical experts, notably paediatricians, have raised concerns regarding the safety of talc powder, especially for children. The pharmaceutical giant’s decision to dissolve talc powder manufacturing and settle the case highlights the validity of the case.  “>In conclusion,”> Baby skin is delicate and medical experts often discourage parents from providing their babies with powder and other cosmetic products. However, baby powder is applied mostly to reduce rashes and friction caused by diapers. Most women apply baby powder to the skin close to their private parts to reduce rashes and feminine odours. The world health organization’s (WHO) research wing international agency for research on cancer (IARC) discouraged people from using talc powder on their genitals, citing the possible carcinogenic effects on the genitals. Centre for disease control and prevention or CDC cited that inhalation of talc powder is harmful to the lungs. It is safer for people to choose alternatives like cornstarch, tapioca starch or baking soda.  “>Think you have lung cancer? “> CancerMitr provides a holistic plan to tackle all cancer-related challenges, from discovery to recovery. We provide a range of packages to assist patients in diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care. Check out our website for more details about our services.  Click here

Home The name “Innocent” is popular amongst Malayali households. Four generations grew up watching and enjoying excellent comedic performances and memorable characters portrayed by the late actor. During Malayalam cinema’s golden heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, practically every film included a few recognised faces, and Innocent was one of them. His passing dims the light of a generation of performers who produced a wave of outstanding performances. Innocent Vareed Thekkethala has a 50-year career in Malayalam film. He also appeared in films in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English. Innocent was a best-selling author as well as a Member of Parliament (MP) in India’s 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019), representing Kerala’s Chalakudy seat. The actor was also a cancer survivor who, unlike many of his contemporaries who sought treatment in silence, was open about his illness and raised awareness.  “>”>His cancer diagnosis Innocent had mentioned how he felt an unusual throat pain about a decade ago. He got himself tested and underwent a biopsy. He was in a film shoot when noted oncologist Dr VP Gangadharan informed him of a “news.” Innocent could sense that it was something bad but found the inner strength to memorise the lines he had in that scene and completed the shoot. Afterwards, he was told that he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. He had noted how such information causes a flurry of racing thoughts in one’s mind, including the realisation that he must leave his loved ones behind. He did, however, find the inner strength to overcome the condition. “>”>What is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?  Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a blood cancer that begins in the human body’s lymphatic system, where the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell (WBC), start to divide and grow abnormally into the bloodstream. These lymphocytes can form tumours throughout the body. According to research, 1 out of every 43 men and 1 out of every 53 women can develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in their lifetime. However, the epidemiology of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in India is less when compared to Europe and North America. In India, the age-adjusted incidence rates for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in men and women are 2.9/100,000 and 1.5/100,000, respectively. “>”>What are the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?  The most visible symptom of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a swollen lymph node in the neck, armpit or groin region. Oral lesions of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma manifest in the form of tooth mobility, swelling or ulcer, unexplained dental pain, or lesions. Actor Innocent experienced a lesion in his oral cavity as part of the disease.  Other signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are as follows;  Abdominal pain​ Swelling in the neck or abdomen ​ Chest pain​ Frequent coughs​ Swelling in the neck or abdomen  Fever and chills ​ Night sweats​ Unhealthy weight loss ​ “>”>How did actor Innocent spread cancer awareness? The late actor underwent chemotherapy to overcome the disease. While he was being treated, his wife Alice underwent screening and testing for cancer, including mammography. The mammography revealed that she had breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most commonly reported cancer in women, particularly older ones. Breast cancer is relatively easy to cure compared to other cancers because it can be surgically removed without causing major implications in the human body aside from physical appearance. Unfortunately, women frequently disregard warning signals and symptoms due to a lack of awareness.  Also read: A comprehensive guide to breast cancer  His experiences dealing with cancer, including his wife’s expected diagnosis, compelled him to spread better awareness about the disease. Fear and stigma around the disease coerced a lot of people to suffer in silence. Artists who have cancer often get treatment in silence because they fear the loss of opportunities and other taboos that come with the illness. Innocent himself experienced uncomfortable stares from people and comments over his physical state. In an interview with Ramesh Pisharody, he said, “people used to come to my house to visit me and simply stare at me for several minutes. One person asked if I was all dressed up to see god. People need to know how to communicate with patients.”  During treatment, he participated in the activities of organisations like the Kochi Cancer Society. He talked to other cancer patients and tried to keep them motivated and positive. He also spoke on several platforms about the importance of early screening, mental health support, and better funds for cancer patients.  Also read: A healthy lifestyle and early screening help us deal with hormone-dependent cancer: Dr Sandip Bipte shares his expertise As a Lok Sabha Member, Innocent advocated affordable mammography and cancer screening for the general public. Innocent became an idol of sorts for society as a celebrity who openly publicised his cancer success story, according to Dr VP Gangadharan, a prominent oncologist, in an interview with Malayalam media.  Innocent also called out the pseudo-scientific bits of advice and medical malpractices associated with cancer treatment. During his treatment, a lot of stars and well-wishers advised him not to undergo chemotherapy but to use phytomedicines and potions made from fruits. He was also asked to pray more instead of undergoing treatment Also read: 5 effective ways to avoid breast cancer risk  ‘Prayer is important. Faith is important. I know I am alive because of many people’s prayers. But, you need proper medical guidance to beat cancer,’ he had mentioned in a speech during Alappuzha Medifest. Dr Gangadharan praised Innocent for remaining in India for cancer treatment instead of going abroad, like other prominent artists. Innocent’s success against cancer highlighted how India’s medicines, at the time, were also as effective as foreign ones. Dr Gangadharan also accompanied Innocent during his cancer awareness campaigns.  Cancer is regarded as an unjust death sentence, yet Innocent’s approach to the disease was that it could be treated with a sense of humour. He even penned a book titled ‘Cancer Wardile Chiri’ (transl – laughter in cancer ward). Dr VP Gangadharan confirmed that the 75-year-old actor died due to post-COVID-19 complications and not due to cancer. He was