Talc Powder and Ovarian Cancer

There is currently talcum powder lawsuits where women, that have a history of using talc products; Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Body Powder on their genitals, were found to have ovarian cancer. Scientific studies and the World Health Organization have determined a link between long term genital usage of talcum powder and cancer. In June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study which concluded females that have a history of using talc containing powder on their genital region have a twenty to thirty percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific studies, expert testimony, and factual evidence, a court in St. Louis found that Johnson & Johnson neglected to warn people regarding the risk of ovarian cancer associated to the genital area use of its talc-based powders. Internal company documents disclosed during the trial show that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the studies and attempted to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in compensation to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer and had a history of using Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder.

The Correlation Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific paper to describe a possible link between talc and ovarian cancer was reported in 1971. Detailed were pathology examinations of tissue samples from 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers found talc in each of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had migrated from her external genitalia to her internal organs. Eleven years later, an study performed by Dr. Cramer of Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital demonstrated a statistical link between a history of genital talc containing powder usage and ovarian cancer.

talc powder lawsuit of the study reveal an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s research was published in the August 1982 edition of The New York Times. The research examined the wellness history and genital talc usage of 215 women that were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and measured them to women who did not use talc. The results indicated an association between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Across the continuing years, no fewer than fifteen studies have demonstrated that long-term, regular, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase in the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though some studies have implied no link between the usage of baby powder and ovarian cancer, these studies have been discredited for not holding into account both duration and frequency of talc use which is the only correct measurement of a woman’s exposure to talc.

Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
During the formal discovery portion of recent litigation that involves Johnson & Johnson, information has come to light that expose company worries about asbestos contaminated talc that dates back several decades and that the company fought an intense effort to suppress test results, scientific details and other information that talc in its Baby Powder contained asbestos. The fact that Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower® body powder, as well as other brands of talc containing products might have been contaminated with asbestos, has re-focused much of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos lawsuits and claims focus on work, military and industrial-related exposure to asbestos, and asbestos contaminated products as a source of mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focusing on the connection between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.

Focusing on both the factual and scientific links between risk to asbestos contaminated talc products and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the legal landscape is evolving and being joined by many women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

More Information About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and Its Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a broad phrase which includes several subtypes that are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. Most ovarian cancer is located in the epithelium, that is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. About ninety percent of all ovarian cancers are observed in the epithelium. There are various subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers including serous cell and endometrioid.

An additional subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A low percentage of ovarian cancer cases begin in the peritoneum that is bodily tissue which is separate and away from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a thin membrane that surrounds, protects, and helps support the stomach organs including all of the reproductive organs.


Epithelial Ovarian Cancers
The most common types of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all of which are found in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. In this group are the following subtypes:


Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
This is the most frequent subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, at approximately sixty percent of newly discovered cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is commonly classified as either low-grade or high-grade depending upon the nuclei and mitotic characteristics of the cells.


Endometrioid ovarian cancer
This subtype is known by its connection to the endometrium, that is the membrane which is the inside lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer may frequently develop in connection with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities which may affect the endometrium such as endometriosis.


Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
These 3 are less common subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for testing purposes, the prescribed treatment for each of them is the same.


Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer originates out of the ovaries, in one or more locations of the peritoneum tissue. It could spread to other areas in the abdomen which includes, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, guards, and assists in the supporting of the abdominal organs that includes, for women, the uterus and each of the other female reproductive organs. The peritoneum consists of epithelial cells and, in this way, is similar to the epithelium tissue that covers the ovaries. Because of this, treatment of epithelial and peritoneal cancers is frequently similar. However, peritoneal cancer could be isolated to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It might develop in women who have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer could occur in any location in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.

Peritoneal ovarian cancer generally is defined as cancer cells are present in both the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum signal each other and, in this manner, cancer cells could migrate, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.

Staging of Ovarian Cancers
Once ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to understand its severity and potential treatment options. A frequent ovarian cancer staging protocol is as follows:

Stage I — Presence of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.

Stage IA — Presence is limited to one ovary and the tumor is confined to the inside of the ovary. There is no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites appearing that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IB — Presence is limited to both ovaries minus any tumor on their outer surfaces. There are no ascites appearing containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is confirmed on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites that contain malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage II — Presence of the cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.

Stage IIA — The cancer has extended to and includes the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.

Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.

Stage IIC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is appearing on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage III — Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are appearing: the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant migration to the small bowel or omentum.

Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the practitioner could see cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly visible in the abdomen and it hasn’t expanded to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are observed on a microscope, very tiny amounts of cancer are discovered in the abdominal peritoneal areas.

Stage IIIB — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and traces of cancer are appearing in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to observe but not bigger than 1 inch in size. The cancer hasn’t migrated to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIC — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: the cancer has spread to lymph nodes; and the deposits of cancer are bigger than 2 cm in size and are found in the abdomen.

Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries and distant metastases have happened. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is also evidence of stage IV disease.

Talc Powder and Ovarian Cancer

There is currently talcum powder lawsuit s where women, with a history of usage of talc products; Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder on their genitals, were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Scientific research and the WHO have determined a link between long term genital usage of talcum powder and cancer. During June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that determined women that have a history of using talc containing powder on their genital areas have a twenty to thirty percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific studies, expert testimony, and factual evidence, a court in St. Louis determined that Johnson & Johnson neglected to warn consumers regarding the risk of ovarian cancer associated with the genital region usage of its talc-based powders. Internal company documents shared during the trial show that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the research and attempted to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in damages to the family of a woman who succumbed to ovarian cancer and had a history of using Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower® Body Powder.

The Correlation Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific research to outline a potential link between talc and ovarian cancer was reported in 1971. Chronicled were pathology examinations of tissue samples from 10 females diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The scientists found talc in every one of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had moved from her external genitalia to her internal organs. Eleven years later, an epidemiological study performed by Dr. Daniel Cramer of Brigham & Women’s Hospital showed a statistical association between a history of genital talc containing product use and ovarian cancer.

Results of the research show an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s study was published in the August 12, 1982 issue of The New York Times. The study examined the health history and genital talc use of 215 women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and compared them to women who did not use talc. The results showed an association between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Over the ensuing years, no fewer than fifteen studies have demonstrated that long term, frequent, genital use of talc-containing products by women posed a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though some studies have suggested no connection between the use of baby powder and ovarian cancer, these studies have been discredited for not holding into account the length of time and frequency of talc use which is the only proper measurement of a woman’s exposure to talc.

Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
During the formal discovery part of recent litigation involving Johnson & Johnson, information has come to light that reveal company worries over asbestos contaminated talc dating back several decades and that the company fought an intense campaign to hide data, scientific details and other information that talc in its Baby Powder contained asbestos. That Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower body powder, as well as other brands of talc containing powders may have been contaminated with asbestos, has re-focused much of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos litigation and claims focus on work, military and industrial-related risk to asbestos, and asbestos contaminated products as causing mesothelioma, the ever increasing recent litigation is now focused on the connection between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.

Focused on both the factual and scientific connections between exposure to asbestos contaminated talc products and the development of ovarian cancer, the legal effort is evolving and being joined by thousands of women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Additional News About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and The Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a generic term which combines several subtypes that are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. The majority of ovarian cancer is found in the epithelium, that is the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. Almost ninety percent of all ovarian cancers are found in the epithelium. There are numerous subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers which includes serous cell and endometrioid.

An additional subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A small percentage of ovarian cancer cases begin in the peritoneum which is bodily tissue that is separate and distinct from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that surrounds, protects, and assists in supporting the stomach organs including all of the reproductive organs.


Epithelial Ovarian Cancers
The most common types of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all that are found in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. In this group are the following subtypes:


Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
This is the most common subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately sixty percent of newly discovered cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is frequently classified as either low grade or high grade determined by the nuclei and mitotic characteristics of the cells.


Endometrioid ovarian cancer
This subtype is known from its relationship to the endometrium, which is the membrane which is the interior lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer may often develop in connection with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities that may affect the endometrium such as endometriosis.


Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
These 3 are less frequent subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though distinguishable for testing purposes, the prescribed treatment for each of them is similar.


Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer starts outside of the ovaries, in one or more areas of the peritoneum tissue. It might move to other locations in the abdomen including, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and helps support the abdominal organs including, for women, the uterus and all of the other female reproductive organs. The peritoneum consists of epithelial cells and, in this manner, is similar to the epithelium tissue that covers the ovaries. Because of this, treatment of epithelial and peritoneal cancers is often similar. However, peritoneal cancer could be isolated to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It may develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer may occur in any location in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.

Peritoneal ovarian cancer generally means that cancer cells are present in both the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum signal each other and, in this case, cancer cells might move, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.

Staging of Ovarian Cancers
Once ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to determine its severity and possible treatment options. A frequent ovarian cancer staging protocol is as follows:

Stage I — Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.

Stage IA — Presence is limited to one ovary and the tumor is confined to the inside of the ovary. There’s no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites present containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IB — Presence is limited to both ovaries without any tumor on their outer surfaces. There are no ascites observed containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is confirmed on the outer area of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage II — Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.

Stage IIA — The cancer has expanded to and involves the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.

Stage IIB — The cancer has migrated to other pelvic organs.

Stage IIC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following appear: tumor is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage III — Presence of the cancer includes one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are present: the cancer has spread past the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant migration to the small bowel or omentum.

Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the practitioner can see cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, yet no cancer is grossly noticeable in the abdomen and it hasn’t expanded to lymph nodes. Yet, when biopsies are checked under a microscope, very tiny deposits of cancer are found in the abdominal peritoneal surfaces.

Stage IIIB — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are appearing in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to see but not exceeding 2 cm in size. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIC — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: the cancer has spread to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 2 cm in size and are discovered in the abdomen.

Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries and distant metastases have occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is additionally evidence of stage IV disease.

Talc Powder and Ovarian Cancer

There is currently talcum powder issues where women, that have a history of using talc products; Johnson’s® Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Body Powder on their genitals, were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Scientific studies and the World Health Organization have determined an association between long term genital usage of talcum powder and cancer. During June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that determined females that have a history of using talc-containing powder in their genital areas have a twenty to thirty percent increased risk of contracting ovarian cancer. Presented with scientific determination, expert opinion, and factual evidence, a jury in St. Louis found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn people regarding the risk of ovarian cancer associated with the genital region use of its talc-based powders. Internal company documents disclosed during the trial indicate that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the studies and attempted to discredit them. The jury awarded $72 million in compensation to the family of a woman who succumbed to ovarian cancer and had a history of using Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Body Powder.

The Connection Between Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer
The earliest scientific research to describe a potential connection between talc and ovarian cancer appeared in 1971. Chronicled were pathology observations of tissue samples from 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The scientists found talc in every one of the tissue samples, a sign that each woman’s talc containing powder had moved from her external genitalia to her internal organs. 11 years later, an study performed by Dr. Daniel Cramer of Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital demonstrated a statistical connection between a history of genital talc containing product usage and ovarian cancer.

Results of the research reveal an increase in risk of ovarian cancer. An article regarding Dr. Cramer’s research was published in the August 1982 issue of The New York Times. The research examined the wellness history and genital talc use of 215 women that were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and measured them to women who didn’t use talc. The results showed an association between the genital use of talc and ovarian cancer. Across the ensuing years, more than fifteen studies have shown that long term, regular, genital use of talc-containing products by women created a 33% increase of the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Though talc lawsuit have suggested no connection between the use of baby powder and ovarian cancer, those studies have been criticized for not taking into account the length of time and frequency of talc usage which is the only proper measure of a woman’s exposure to talc.

Asbestos and Ovarian Cancer
During the formal discovery process in recent litigation involving Johnson & Johnson, information has come to light that expose company concerns about asbestos contaminated talc that dates back several decades and that the company fought a fierce campaign to minimize test results, scientific details and other information that talc in its Baby Powder contained asbestos. That Johnson & Johnsons Baby Powder® and Shower to Shower Body Powder, in addition to other brands of talc containing products could have been contaminated with asbestos, has focused most of the nationwide litigation. Though most asbestos lawsuits and claims focus on employment, military and industrial-related exposure to asbestos, and asbestos related products as a source of mesothelioma, the growing recent litigation is now focusing on the link between asbestos, talc and ovarian cancer.

Focused on both the factual and scientific connections between exposure to asbestos contaminated talc powders and the appearance of ovarian cancer, the legal war is evolving and being joined by numerous women that have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Additional Information Regarding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer and The Subtypes
Ovarian cancer is a general term that combines various subtypes that are known and distinguishable by their various characteristics and their location. Most ovarian cancer is found in the epithelium, that is the layer of tissue which surrounds the ovary. Almost ninety percent of all ovarian cancers are found in the epithelium. There are several subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancers which includes serous cell and endometrioid.

Another subtype is peritoneal ovarian cancer. A low percent of ovarian cancer issues start in the peritoneum that is bodily tissue which is separate and distinct from the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that surrounds, protects, and assists in supporting the stomach organs including all of the reproductive organs.


Epithelial Ovarian Cancers
The most common types of ovarian cancer are the epithelial cancers, all of which are found in the epithelium — the layer of tissue that surrounds the ovary. Within this group are the following subtypes:


Serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer
This is the most common subtype of all epithelial ovarian cancer, at approximately 60% of newly discovered cases of ovarian cancer. When diagnosed, serous cell epithelial ovarian cancer is commonly classified as either low grade or high grade determined by the nuclei and mitotic characteristics of the cells.


Endometrioid ovarian cancer
This subtype is identified by its relationship to the endometrium, that is the membrane that is the inside lining of the uterus. Endometrioid ovarian cancer can often develop in connection with other cancers, diseases, or abnormalities affecting the endometrium such as endometriosis.


Mucinous, Clear Cell, and Unclassified/Undifferentiated
These three are less frequent subtypes of ovarian cancer. Though recognizable for testing purposes, the prescribed treatment for each of them is the same.


Peritoneal Ovarian Cancers
Peritoneal ovarian cancer originates out of the ovaries, in one or more areas of the peritoneum tissue. It might move to other areas in the abdomen which includes, in some cases, the ovaries. The peritoneum is a membrane that covers, protects, and helps support the abdominal organs which includes, for women, the uterus and each of the other female reproductive organs. The peritoneum includes epithelial cells and, in this way, is similar to the epithelium tissue that surrounds the ovaries. Due to this, treatment of epithelial and peritoneal cancers is frequently similar. However, peritoneal cancer may be confined to the peritoneum and not affect the ovaries. It could develop in women that have had their ovaries removed. Primary peritoneal cancer could occur anywhere in the peritoneum and not implicate the ovaries.

Peritoneal ovarian cancer generally means that cancer cells are present in both the peritoneum and one or both ovaries. The serous cell lining of the ovaries and the serous cell composition of the peritoneum communicate with each other and, in this way, cancer cells could move, through shedding or other processes, between the two. When cancer cells appear in both of the ovaries and the peritoneum, the diagnosis is peritoneal ovarian cancer.

Staging of Ovarian Cancers
When ovarian cancer is diagnosed, peritoneal, it’s then staged to understand its severity and potential treatment options. A frequent ovarian cancer staging protocol is as follows:

Stage I — Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries.

Stage IA — Growth is limited to one ovary while the tumor is confined to the interior of the ovary. There’s no cancer in the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites present containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IB — Growth is limited to both ovaries minus any tumor on their outer area. There are no ascites observed that contain malignant cells. The capsule is intact.

Stage IC — The tumor is classified as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is observed on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage II — Presence of the cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension.

Stage IIA — The cancer has extended to and includes the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or both.

Stage IIB — The cancer has moved to other pelvic organs.

Stage IIC — The tumor is determined as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following are present: tumor is present on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; the capsule has ruptured; and there are ascites that include malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings.

Stage III — Growth of the cancer includes one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are appearing: the cancer has migrated past the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and the cancer has expanded to lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant migration to the small bowel or omentum.

Stage IIIA — During the staging operation, the practitioner could see cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, but no cancer is grossly observable in the abdomen and it has not spread to lymph nodes. However, when biopsies are checked under a microscope, very small deposits of cancer are found in the abdominal peritoneal surfaces.

Stage IIIB — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and traces of cancer are appearing in the abdomen that are big enough for the doctor to observe but not exceeding 1 inch in size. The cancer hasn’t migrated to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIC — The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: the cancer has migrated to lymph nodes; and the amounts of cancer exceed 1 inch in diameter and are found in the abdomen.

Stage IV — This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries and distant metastases have occurred. Discovering ovarian cancer cells in pleural fluid is also evidence of stage IV disease.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

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