Entering the shadow of DES: Health risks still loom
Diethylstilbestrol was prescribed to millions of pregnant women. Doctors and patients now confront its legacy -- increased cancer risk, fertility issues and other potential health problems.
By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Aug. 4, 2003.


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Anne Leavitt, MD, remembers when her mother told her she had been exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol. It was in the early 1970s, soon after the news of the drug's ill effects on offspring hit the headlines. Dr. Leavitt, a Seattle developmental pediatrician, was upset by the news and her emerging understanding of risks she faced.

But knowing led her to take action. She became more aggressive about cancer screening. She also asked her gynecologist to automatically consider her pregnancies high risk.

For the entire article: http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/am...03/hlsa0804.htm

Betsy

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