Talcum powder stunts growth of lung tumors

GRAINSVILLE, Fla., June 8 (UPI) -- University of Florida researchers say a special talcum powder may stunt lung cancer growth by cutting the flow of blood to metastatic lung tumors.

The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, reveals that talc stimulates healthy cells to produce endostatin, a hormone considered the magic bullet for treating metastatic lung cancer.

The researchers say talc is an exciting new therapeutic agent for a cancer largely considered incurable.

"We found, to our surprise, that talc causes tumor growth to slow down and actually decreases the tumor bulk," Dr. Veena Antony, of the University of Florida College of Medicine, said in a statement.

Ironically, parents have been warned in the past to avoid talcum powder on babies because the fine powder can pose a risk for respiratory problems from breathing it in, but the talc used in the lung treatment is special.