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Anti-Miscarriage Drug Poses Cancer Risk

Anti-Miscarriage Drug Poses Cancer Risk


-August 7, 2006

Research is now showing that a once common pregnancy drug known as DES (diethylstilboestrol) increases the risk of breast cancer in the daughters of women who took it while pregnant.

"The link between women who took DES during pregnancy and their daughters potentially having a higher risk of breast cancer is very concerning," said Dr. Sarah Rawlings of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

DES Breast Cancer & Other Dangers

DES was prescribed regularly prior to 1975 to help combat morning sickness and protect against miscarriage. The drug was withdrawn from the market after being linked to various reproductive disorders in children.

Subsequent research revealed that mothers who used DES during pregnancy faced an increased risk of breast cancer. Recently, scientists at Boston University reported that the daughters of women who used the drug also face a heightened risk for breast cancer.

DES Breast Cancer Study

Researchers examined breast cancer rates in 4,817 women whose mothers took DES during pregnancy and 2,073 women whose mothers had not.

According to the findings, women whose mothers used DES while pregnant faced a 40 percent increased risk of developing breast cancer. The research also seemed to suggest that the risk increased with age.

"This is really unwelcome news because so many women worldwide were prenatally exposed to DES and they are just now approaching the age at which breast cancer becomes more common," said lead researcher and professor Julie Palmer.

Women who are worried about this information are encouraged to consult with a physician who can assess their risk of developing breast cancer.

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