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DES Update Home: For Consumers, health care providers and DES update partners

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a drug once prescribed during pregnancy to prevent miscarriages or premature deliveries. In the U.S. an estimated 5 to 10 million persons were exposed to DES from 1938 to 1971, including pregnant women prescribed DES and their children. In 1971, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised physicians to stop prescribing DES because it was linked to a rare vaginal cancer.

After more than 30 years of research, there are confirmed health risks associated with DES exposure. However, not all exposed individuals will experience DES-related health problems. Whether you know for sure or suspect you were exposed to DES, you can use CDC's DES Update to learn more about DES exposure and what you can do about it.

 
  Upcoming Events  
  CDC's DES Update Teleconference "Cancer Risks for DES Daughters"

Wednesday, May 14, 2003
8:30 pm EST
 		  

For Consumers
Image of parents with grown son and daughterHelpful information on DES research and a guide to help assess whether you might have been exposed to DES, as well as in-depth information for women prescribed DES while pregnant and their DES Daughters and DES Sons.

For Health Care Providers
Image of doctorResources to help identify and counsel DES-exposed individuals. Material includes essential facts for clinicians and nurses, pharmacology, NCI guidelines, educational tools and resources, and support organizations.

For DES Update Partners
Image of an older womanTools to help you share information from the DES Update with your organization, including promotional materials, Web site linking kit, fact sheets and newsletter articles.


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This page last reviewed February 12, 2003

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

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