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European Journal of Epidemiology
Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology 1/2012

01-01-2012 | COMMENTARY

Breast cancer following diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero: insights from a tragedy

Authors: Hans-Olov Adami, Pagona Lagiou, Dimitrios Trichopoulos

Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a powerful synthetic estrogen introduced in 1938, was prescribed to prevent pregnancy complications, but was later shown to have a series of adverse side-effects in the offspring, including cancer of the vagina. Recent evidence indicates that in utero exposure to DES is also linked to breast cancer in women over the age of 40 years. This evidence provides support to the hypothesis that in utero exposures may affect breast cancer risk in adult life.
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Metadata
Title
Breast cancer following diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero: insights from a tragedy
Authors
Hans-Olov Adami
Pagona Lagiou
Dimitrios Trichopoulos
Publication date
01-01-2012
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
European Journal of Epidemiology / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0393-2990
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7284
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-012-9655-0

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