BREAST-CANCER IN DES-EXPOSED MOTHERS - ABSENCE OF ASSOCIATION

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (2) , 89-93
Abstract
Reports in the popular press have suggested that exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) is followed by an abnormally high incidence of breast cancer. The reports were based on a reanalysis of data not considered ominous originally; data and analyses are summarized here. In addition, new data are presented on mothers of young women enrolled in the National DESAD Project at its Mayo Clinic Center [USA]. Among 408 women given DES, there were 8 confirmed instances of breast cancer, in comparison with an expected number of 8.1, based on breast cancer incidence rates among parous women in the local population. A previous case-control study of the possible association of antihypertensive therapy and breast cancer in the local population revealed DES exposure in 10% of the breast cancer group and 12% of the controls. These apparently negative results clearly indicate a need for further studies of the alleged effect of DES.