prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (des) can result in which type of cancer course hero

by Ms. Sandrine Hills 9 min read

Full Answer

What is DES?

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen . It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prev...

What is the cancer risk of people who were exposed to DES in utero?

The overall risk of cancer is not elevated in people whose mothers used DES while pregnant compared with the general population ( 6 – 8 ). However,...

Do the children of women who took DES have problems with fertility and pregnancy?

Several studies have found increased risks of premature birth , miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy in females exposed to DES in utero . An anal...

What other health issues or characteristics might DES daughters and DES sons have?

People who were exposed to DES in utero may have other health issues or characteristics, including: Autoimmune conditions.  Concerns have been r...

What health issues might DES grandchildren have?

Researchers are also studying possible health effects among the children of DES daughters. These groups are called DES granddaughters and DES grand...

What health issues might women who took DES during pregnancy have?

The women who used DES are now in their 70s and older. These women have already experienced the slight increase in risks of developing ( 29 ) and d...

How can people find out if they took DES during pregnancy or were exposed to DES in utero ?

It is estimated that 5 to 10 million Americans—pregnant women and the children born to them—were exposed to DES between 1940 and 1971 ( 5 ). DES wa...

What should DES daughters do?

Women who know or believe they were exposed to DES before birth should be aware of the health effects of DES and inform their health care provider...

What should DES sons do?

Men whose mothers took DES while pregnant should inform their health care provider of their exposure and be examined periodically. Although the ris...