Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure and Cancer

DES (Diethylstilboestrol) was formerly used worldwide in the treatment of threatened miscarriage between the 1940s and 1970s. In 1971, an assessment of women in the U.S. with clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix, led to the first association between the development of this condition and prenatal exposure to DES. In the U.K., the issue was reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and in 1973, the Committee took the decision to write to all doctors to inform them of the results of the U.S. study. The NHS has recently released a letter on DES exposure and links on where to find information. This letter is enclosed in this guidance. The National Cancer Institute NIH, has also released guidance and information about children and grandchildren of DES exposed individuals. The link is accessible through Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure and Cancer - NCI. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/des-fact-sheet The NIH guidance also details the supporting literature on DES exposure.