A shocking medical scandal has come to light, and it's time to demand justice. The pregnancy drug DES, once widely prescribed on the NHS, has been linked to devastating health consequences, including cancer and infertility. This hidden thalidomide, as some call it, has affected hundreds of women and their families, and now they're fighting back.
After a year-long investigation by ITV News, the scale of this tragedy has been exposed, leading to calls for a public inquiry and compensation. The synthetic hormone, known as DES (Diethylstilboestrol), was given to an estimated 300,000 women between the 1930s and 1980s to treat various issues, but its sinister side effects were ignored for far too long.
More than 300 victims have come together to form DES Justice UK, a powerful group advocating for change. Their stories are heart-wrenching and deserve to be heard. Mary Stuart, now 83, was prescribed DES tablets after suffering multiple miscarriages. Little did she know that the drug would cause a lifetime of pain and health issues for her daughter, Helen.
Helen, now 58, has endured debilitating pain since she was a teenager. She was diagnosed with a misshapen womb and later cervical cancer. The decision to have a hysterectomy was a difficult one, but it was necessary to remove the danger and risk. Helen's story is just one of many, and her mother lives with guilt, wishing she had never taken those tablets.
But here's where it gets controversial... The health authorities failed to act on safety warnings about DES, and now victims are demanding answers. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged the issue and asked NHS England to ensure that healthcare professionals are aware of the drug's impact and that those who need additional screening receive it.
And this is the part most people miss... The daughters of women who took DES, known as DES daughters, are at an increased risk of rare cancers that routine screening might miss. Some gynaecologists are calling for urgent changes to screening guidelines to include annual checks for these women. Dr Wael Agur emphasizes the need for more frequent screening and additional tests to detect these rare cancers.
DES Justice UK met in Westminster, coordinated by Labour MP Jessica Toale, who was moved by the story of her constituent, Jan Hall. Jan believes her mother, Rita, was prescribed DES during three pregnancies, and her exposure to the drug may have contributed to her early death from breast cancer.
MPs and campaigners are calling for more than just an inquiry. They want an information campaign to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, medical research to understand the long-term effects, targeted screening for cancers and fertility issues, and a compensation fund for victims. It's time for the government to take responsibility and provide support to those affected.
Furthermore, our investigation has revealed that the Medicines Regulator (MHRA) misled the public for up to 25 years about when the drug was withdrawn. They falsely claimed that doctors were advised to stop using DES for pre-menopausal women in 1973, but it was not until the 1980s that the drug was stopped for use in pregnancy, more than a decade after cancer risks were known. The MHRA has since issued an apology.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the harm caused by DES and the need for better support for affected women and their families. However, the question remains: Is this enough? Should the government go further to address this legacy issue and provide justice to those who have suffered?
This story is a reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight and the need for healthcare professionals to stay informed about potential risks. It's a complex issue with no easy answers, but one thing is clear: the victims of the DES scandal deserve our attention and support.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this issue, please reach out and share your story. Together, we can ensure that these voices are heard and that change happens.
