Fears Johnson and Johnson Baby powder contributed to mum’s cancer death as lawyers investigate

The family of a mother of three who died from ovarian cancer believe her death could be linked to a household product “so prevalent” in Aussie homes.

Elizabeth Annette Dinjar was a devoted mother, a well-respected dental saleswoman, and never missed an Elton John Australian tour, her older sister Julie Forster gleefully recounted.

But in 2018, the Sydney-based mother-of-three died from ovarian cancer, which her family believes could be linked to a common household product “prevalent” in Australian homes over the recent decades - although it’s strongly denied by its maker.

Ms Forster is now assisting in a legal investigation she hopes will become her sister’s “legacy.”

“No one could give an explanation as to the reasons for her ovarian cancer and being diagnosed with it,” Ms Forster told news.com.au.

“Sometime later, I became aware of the [possible] link between the talcum powder and ovarian cancer.”

Ms Dinjar’s death now forms part of a significant investigation against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of Australian women by class action lawyers, just months after the company paid billions to settle tens of thousands of US lawsuits alleging that talc in its iconic baby powder causes cancer.

Elizabeth Annette Dinjar with her three children. Her family believes Johnson and Johnson's Baby powder potentially caused her 2018 cancer death. Picture: supplied

While J & J has reiterated that its talc products are safe and do not cause cancer, Australian law firm Shine Lawyers is investigating the claims of Australian women who allege their cancers came after regular and prolonged exposure to J & J Baby Powder.

Leading the investigation is Shine’s joint head of class actions Vicky Antzoulatos, who said the firm seeks to determine “whether Johnson & Johnson Talcum powder was a defective product that caused ovarian and other cancers, and was unfit for purpose and not of merchantable quality.”

Julie Forster (right) said she and Elizabeth (centre) used regularly baby powder from a young age. Their sister Cath is pictured left. Picture: supplied

“We’ve received several inquiries from women who believe their cancers were the result of exposure to this product as adults, after applying it to their genital regions,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

In April this year, J & J and its subsidiary LTL Management LLC (LTL) vehemently rejected similar claims in the US when it agreed to pay US$8.9bn payable over 25 years to more than 60,000 claimants who alleged its baby powder and other products caused cancer.

A statement declared it was not an admission of wrongdoing, nor was it “an indication that the Company has changed its longstanding position that its talcum powder products are safe.”

“The Company continues to believe that these claims are specious and lack scientific merit,” Erik Haas, Worldwide Vice President of Litigation at J & J, said.

J & J recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder in October 2019 after the FDA found traces of asbestos during tests; it later announced it would stop selling it globally in 2023.

Ms Dinjar died in 2018, leaving behind three kids and her husband. Picture: supplied

Regardless, Ms Forster is steadfast in her claims that her sister’s death might be linked to the product.

“A class action is so important because the rug was pulled out from my sister’s family when she passed. They have struggled to move past this loss,” she said.

Ms Dinjar, who would have become a grandmother in September, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, and died 2018.

“My sister had robust health her entire life, and then her ovarian cancer diagnosis came out of the blue,” Ms Forster said.

“Elizabeth was tested for the BRCA gene (genes found to impact a person’s chances of developing certain cancer) but didn’t have it, and then the research about Johnson & Johnson talc and ovarian cancer started to surface.

“It was the only explanation we could find.”

Elizabeth (left) with Julie. Her sister claims she used baby powder into adulthood. Picture: supplied

Ms Forster said talc, in particular J & J Baby Powder, was a staple for parents when she and her sister were children and hoped an investigation would provide clarity and information for the large number of people who had no doubt come into contact with it.

“It was applied to genital areas and all over the body as part of our bathing ritual,” she said.

“(Elizabeth) used it well into her adult years too, and on her own children.”

“Our generation was pretty well exposed to it right from childhood, and a lot of us used it way up into adulthood as well.”

Ms Forster said Ms Dinjar’s family, including her children, now aged between 19 and 31, have “never recovered” from witnessing their loved one’s slow death.

Julie (left) hopes any positive outcome would become Elizabeth’s ‘legacy’. Picture: supplied

“We’ve joined this investigation, so it goes some way to providing a life for the family that Elizabeth is unable to provide for,” she said.

“She was barely even contemplating retirement; she would have kept working and adding to her professional life, travelling overseas, speaking at conferences.

“We need to urge corporations to take greater care. If there’s an ingredient you’re unsure about, put people first.”

Shine Lawyers is encouraging women who used talcum powder as adults regularly for prolonged periods over five years and developed ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal, endometrial, uterine, vaginal or cervical cancer to get in touch.

J & J has been approached for further comment.