Tag: Cancer

Effets transgénérationnels des perturbateurs endocriniens: les leçons du DES

Endocrine Disruptors and Lessons from DES Diethylstilbestrol

Pour plus d’information sur la journée tenue à l’Assemblée Nationale le 10 Avril 2012 vous pouvez lire cet article: Les Perturbateurs Endocriniens publié le 26 Avril dernier.

Intervention du Dr Annie J. Sasco, Médecin épidémiologiste du cancer, sur le thème “Effets transgénérationnels des perturbateurs endocriniens: les leçons du DES” lors de la table-ronde organisée par WECF le 10 avril sur le thème “Perturbateurs endocriniens, effets et mécanismes d’action de la conception à la maturité”.

Le Distilbène DES, en savoir plus

Endocrine Disruptors: DES Lessons

On Tuesday 10th April 2012, the French National Assembly hosted a debate around the harmful effects of endocrine disruptors to convince governments to take action.  French and foreign Endocrine Disruptors (ED) specialists attended the event, gave presentations and discussed the many issues associated with ED.  Among them was Dr. Annie J. Sasco , Cancer epidemiologist, INSERM Research Director, University of Bordeaux, France,  who worked on the transgenerational effects of endocrine disruptors, more specifically those of DES: “I am very pessimistic. For 30 years, cancer has doubled in the world. The DES tragedy is not enough. Even though DES was registered in 1939 in Britain on the poisons’ list, and it had been proven it was ineffective for the prevention of miscarriage since 1953, nothing prevented this drug from being widely produced and prescribed. It has been recognized as a carcinogenic drug since 1974, and it is now proven to have effects on the third generation in terms of risk of cancer, including ovarian and genital malformation rate 18 times higher than normal. We’ve just banned Bisphenol A in baby bottles yet the risks were known since the 30s. Another example is hormone replacement therapy: its extended use to 10 years of treatment is associated with an increased risk of cancer. ”

You can find more information about this debate by reading this article published on April, 26th (approximate translation by Google).

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Diethylstilbestrol Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma Vaginal Cancer

Elevated risk for this type of cancer in DES Daughters as they age

DES and Cancer: the Never Ending Story

Diethylstilbestrol DES clear cell adenocarcinoma CCA vaginal cancer41 years ago, a connection between DES exposure and cancer in DES daughters was established.  Cases of Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the vagina were diagnosed in an age group never before found to develop it. At the time the peak incidence of CCA in DES Daughters was in the late teens and early 20s. Most young women with CCA of the vagina have a history of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). DES daughters were told by physicians that the risk was low when you reach your 30s and you can still read today on some websites that “if a DES daughter has not developed this cancer by age 30, she will not develop it”.

But today, DES daughters cancer fears are confirmed and justified as the findings and conclusions of a new report by CDC researchers suggest an elevated risk for this vaginal/cervical cancer in DES Daughters as they age.

When researchers first linked prenatal DES exposure to vaginal / cervical cancer in a small group of women, soon after, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified physicians throughout the U.S.A. that DES should not be prescribed to pregnant women (note that it wasn’t banned!). In Europe, the drug continued to be prescribed to pregnant women until 1978. So even though this report says “elevated risk among women born between 1947 and 1971 in the United States”, it should read “among all women born between 1947 and 1978 in countries where DES was prescribed”. In the United States alone it is estimated that five to 10 million people were exposed to DES between 1938 and 1971.

When will this stop?  The statement “The more I learn the less I know” really seems to apply to the DES tragedy. As we learn more about the devastating health effects of diethylstibestrol, we begin to become more aware of the limits of our knowledge regarding the long term effects not only for DES daughters but also DES sons and the DES 3rd generation (children of DES daughters and sons). DES truly is a never ending story!

Wherever you are stay safe and remind your GP that DES daughters need yearly Pap test and pelvic exam as well as regular health screening and adequate care!

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New England Journal of Medicine Report

Diethylstilbestrol in utero exposure and cancers risk, 2011

From Maryland – Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol in the womb raises a woman’s risk of many cancers, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers studied over 6500 women, 4600 of whom were exposed to DES in the womb. Results showed that this exposure significantly increased risk of many cancers and fertility problems, including a 40x increased risk of clear-cell adenocarcinoma, 8x increased risk of neonatal death, 2.4x increased risk of infertility and a 1.8x increased risk of breast cancer.

Video from Insidermedicine In 60.

Watch our compilation of DES Videos in English on YouTube via the Diethylstilboestrol Channel.

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Beating Cancer One Lap at a Time

DES Daughter Susan Helmrich is one of the best swimmers in the world in her age group

Susan Helmrich is one of the best swimmers in the world in her age group. She’s also a three-time cancer survivor and a victim of one of the greatest drug tragedies in history. With luck, determination, great medical care, the support of family and friends and the benefits of the sport of swimming, Susan has fought to escape the deadly legacy of a supposed wonder drug turned nightmare.

Links
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DES Picnic Social Event in Australia

DES Action Australia: support and advocacy for those exposed to DES ; related hormones and endocrine disruptors

A few weeks ago DES Action Australia NSW in Sydney had a notice published in the RSVP section of the Sydney Morning Herald, inviting people affected by DES (diethylstibestrol) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the DES cancer finding.  For this occasion Carole Devine, DES Action Australia NSW founder, is inviting the group members and associates, their friends and families to meet up for a DES picnic community event.

DES ACTION AUSTRALIA BIG PICNIC

DES Picnic Community Event in Australia

Where: Lilies on the Park (cafe), Bicentennial Park,
adjacent to Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
When: Saturday November 26th – 11.30 am
Directions: Follow signs to Sydney Olympic Park.
On Australia Ave take first turn on right into Bicentennial Ave.
(Lattice clock tower at park entry).
Event attendees will then move on to a nearby picnic area.

If you’ve been affected by the DES drug and are anywhere near Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 26th November, join your local DES community and bring along a picnic or buy food at Lilies Cafe. Just come along and look out for DES Action Australia identifying marker – yellow balloons!

Tea, coffee, juice will be provided and there will be an opportunity to hire bicycles at the park for AU$ 15 per hour.

For more information about the 40th Anniversary of the DES cancer finding watch this video featuring US researcher Dr Arthur Herbst.

To get an idea of interest and to help with catering, DES Action Australia NSW is asking participants to RSVP as soon as possible by emailing c_devine@bigpond.net.au or phoning 02 98754820. For more information about the great work they are doing, please visit DES Action Australia NSW blog.

HAPPY DES PICNIC EVERYONE!

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The DES Generations Concern

Diethylstilbestrol DES has consequences for those who took it, their children and maybe their grandchildren

Meet Caitlin McCarthy, a multi-award winning writer and DES Daughter. Diethylstilbestrol DES has consequences for those who took it, their children and maybe their grandchildren.

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DES and Breast Cancer

A breast cancer survivor, Jackie, reports on her DES journey

Jackie White is one of 53 women who is bringing the DES Breast Cancer lawsuit in Boston against the maker of the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) prescribed to millions of women decades ago.

According to a large study, DES, the anti-miscarriage drug used in the USA until 1971 but also used in Australia and many European countries well after 1971, has been linked to health problems — including breast cancer, infertility, difficult pregnancies and early menopause — in the daughters and the granddaughters of women who took it.

The study suggests that one in 50 DES daughters had the chance of developing breast cancer due to their DES exposure.
Read more about DES and breast cancer risks.

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The DES Paper 40th Anniversary – Dr Arthur Herbst

The University of Chicago, 17 May 2011

Commemorating Arthur L Herbst and the 40th Anniversary of His Landmark DES Paper.

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The DES Story, Lessons Learned

National Cancer Institute, October 2011

Dr. Robert Hoover, director of NCI’s Epidemiology and Biostatistics Programme, discusses a new study of diethylstilbestrol (DES), a drug once prescribed to pregnant women. Dr. Hoover describes the history behind DES and the long-term health effects that are now known to be associated with prenatal exposure to the drug. A written article about the study appears in the NCI DES follow-up study.

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DES DiEthylStilbestrol Resources (5)

Want to know more about the pregnancy drug DiEthylStilbestrol?

DES-molecule image
New AFSSAPS DES survey and update
DES historical facts, current issues, risks associated with DES exposure, breast cancer risks, post adolescent psychiatric disorders, risks for the 3rd generation, DES pregnancy care.

DES Sons Numbers and Health Concerns
Although less is known about the consequences of diethylstilbestrol exposure in men than in women, important DES health concerns have been identified.

DES Sons Studies
The most common reported health issues in DES sons studies are epididymal cysts, testicular problems, testicular cancer, infertility, psychological and neurological effects.

Gender Identity and DES Exposure
Dr. Dana Beyer radio interview on the significant evidence linking prenatal Diethylstilbestrol DES exposure with gender identity and transsexual development.

Historic DES Breast Cancer Court Cases
Boston Federal Courthouse holds the first DES Breast Cancer court cases on behalf of 53 DES Daughters September 07-23 2011.

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