A Somerset grandmother has launched a scathing attack on consumer health giant Johnson & Johnson, accusing it of shocking 'corporate greed' after she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, which she believes was caused by decades of using the company's iconic baby powder.
A Life Built on Trust in a Brand
Siobhan Ryan, 63, is one of approximately 3,000 people in the UK who claim that they or their loved ones developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from the bathroom staple. Her trust in the product was built over a lifetime. 'It was always in our house,' she recalled. 'My mum used it on me as a baby. I used it all through my childhood.' The powder remained a constant presence, used after swimming as a teenager and later on her own children when they were young.
Now, that lifelong trust has been shattered. Following her diagnosis in April 2024, doctors discovered a cyst she described as 'the size of a large melon.' She is now seeking damages from the American pharmaceutical giant, convinced her illness is a direct result of sustained talc use without knowledge of its potential dangers.
A Devastating Diagnosis and a Life Upended
Siobhan's life has been irrevocably changed by her stage 4b ovarian cancer. What began with symptoms she initially dismissed as Covid or menopause led to a rapid journey through the NHS, culminating in the devastating news. She has since endured a full hysterectomy, multiple rounds of gruelling chemotherapy, and battles with sepsis and hair loss.
The physical toll is immense. 'I can't go out anywhere,' she explained, describing how a compromised immune system isolates her from everyday life, including parties, supermarkets, and precious time with her grandchildren. The emotional burden is equally heavy, with the grandmother grappling with the painful reality that she may not see her grandchildren grow up and that her parents might outlive her.
The Legal Battle and Allegations of a Cover-Up
The heart of the legal claim, now proceeding in London's High Court, alleges that Johnson & Johnson concealed the risks of its product for decades. Lawyers for the claimants state that the company was aware that the talc used in its powder was often contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. They claim J&J 'suppressed information' and 'acted in bad faith' to protect profits.
While the company, now represented by Kenvue, denies the claims and states its talc was safe, asbestos-free, and compliant with regulations, it only recalled 33,000 bottles of its talc-based powder in the US in 2020. The UK formulation was not switched to corn starch until 2023 – a move that came too late for Siobhan and thousands of others.
For Siobhan, the fight is not primarily about compensation. 'I have no idea if any money will come our way and I may not even be around to benefit from it,' she stated bluntly. Instead, she wants corporate accountability. 'They knew there was a risk but they carried on marketing it... It is corporate greed and they need to be held to account for it.'
