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DES Daughters Have Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention in August 2006 found that women whose mothers were prescribed DES (Diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy have almost double the breast cancer risk.  The study examined women whose mothers took DES while they were pregnant with similar women, but who were not exposed to Diethylstilbestrol in utero.  Those women over 40 years old who were exposed to DES had almost twice the risk of developing breast cancer as the unexposed women. 

DES Breast Cancer Study Results
The DES breast cancer study included 4,817 women exposed to DES in utero as well as 2,073 women born in the same time period whose mothers had not taken DES during pregnancy. Most of the women in the study were born in the 1950's.  The researchers suggested that because the DES daughters received a much higher exposure to synthetic estrogen, the extra estrogen spurred the development of additional breast stem cells and thus contributed to the increased risk of cancer.  Previous research had suggested that prenatal hormone levels of DES may affect the risk of breast cancer later in life, and the researches were interested in finding the actual breast cancer risk for DES daughters. Results of the study are as follows:

• Between 2001 to 2003, the study gathered data that 102 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. 
• 76 breast cancer diagnoses were among DES daughter.
• 26 breast cancer diagnoses were among those not exposed to DES. 
• Women who were exposed to DES in utero had a 91 percent higher risk of breast cancer after age 40, and a three-fold increased risk of breast cancer after age 50, when compared to women not exposed to the drug and after compensating for other breast-cancer risk factors.

Legal Help for DES Daughters
If your mother or grandmother took DES during pregnancy, contact Parker & Waichman, LLP.  Our experienced DES lawyers provide a free consultation about your case.  We do not get paid unless we win compensation for you.  Call our firm today at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) or fill out the short form at the right. 

About DES (Diethylstilbestrol)
DES is a synthetic estrogen which was given to women from 1938 until 1971.  It was intended to prevent miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. As many as 10 million American women took DES during pregnancy affecting millions of children and grandchildren.  In addition to breast cancer, DES daughters are at increased risk of clear cell adenocarcinoma, reproductive tract defects (T-shaped uterus), infertility and pregnancy complications (ectopic pregnancy or pre-term birth).  DES sons, or boys born to mothers who took DES, are at higher risk for abnormal growths on their testicles. More DES Info