Dr Sarah Rawlings, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, told BBC News, "The link between women who took DES during pregnancy and their daughters potentially having a higher risk of breast cancer is very concerning."
"If women are worried about this information," she said, "we would advise them to speak to their doctor who will be able to assess their risk."
On August 8, 2006, Heather Justice told the Daily Mail, "We've known since the Seventies about the risk of vaginal cancer, and now, as these women are getting to the menopause and there are hormonal changes, we are seeing breast cancers starting to emerge."
Heather's mother took DES for only five weeks during her pregnancy.
There have also been reports of adverse events occurring in male children. DES sons were found to have low sperm counts and undescended testicles, and it is thought they may be at an increased risk of testicular cancer, according to the August 7, 2006 Daily Mail.
In addition, the March 30, 2001, medical journal, Lancet, reported an increased risk of hypospadias in the sons of DES daughters.
Hypospadias is a congenital defect of the urogenital system, where the urethral opening is on the front surface of the penis or scrotum. Problems related to this defect include poor control of the urinary stream, infertility related to misdirected ejaculation, and stress over body image. While hypospadias can be surgically corrected, urological complications can occur.
The article notes that the risk of hypospadias is small but that this was the first study reporting a third generation adverse effect of DES in humans and says that continued close surveillance of DES daughters, sons, and grandchildren is necessary.
Experts say, the long-term side effects of DES surfacing some 30 years after the drug was discontinued, should serve as a potent reminder of the potential harmful consequences of over-zealous drug promotion and distribution.
For more information for injured parties go to Lawyers and Settlements.com
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/des_miscarriage_cancer.html
Evelyn Pringle
evelyn.pringle@sbcglobal.net
"If women are worried about this information," she said, "we would advise them to speak to their doctor who will be able to assess their risk."
On August 8, 2006, Heather Justice told the Daily Mail, "We've known since the Seventies about the risk of vaginal cancer, and now, as these women are getting to the menopause and there are hormonal changes, we are seeing breast cancers starting to emerge."
Heather's mother took DES for only five weeks during her pregnancy.
In addition, the March 30, 2001, medical journal, Lancet, reported an increased risk of hypospadias in the sons of DES daughters.
Hypospadias is a congenital defect of the urogenital system, where the urethral opening is on the front surface of the penis or scrotum. Problems related to this defect include poor control of the urinary stream, infertility related to misdirected ejaculation, and stress over body image. While hypospadias can be surgically corrected, urological complications can occur.
The article notes that the risk of hypospadias is small but that this was the first study reporting a third generation adverse effect of DES in humans and says that continued close surveillance of DES daughters, sons, and grandchildren is necessary.
Experts say, the long-term side effects of DES surfacing some 30 years after the drug was discontinued, should serve as a potent reminder of the potential harmful consequences of over-zealous drug promotion and distribution.
For more information for injured parties go to Lawyers and Settlements.com
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/des_miscarriage_cancer.html
Evelyn Pringle
evelyn.pringle@sbcglobal.net
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