## Cancer timebomb of the anti-miscarriage drug given to 10,000 patients: Side effects of synthetic oestrogen have been passed on to daughters and granddaughters since the 1940s in 'scandal worse than Thalidomide'
- Generations of women have demanded enquiry into drug Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
- There were 10,000 patients given drug while pregnant to prevent miscarriage and dry up milk
- Has been linked to raft of health conditions including cancer, infertility and early menopause
By Susie Coen And Shaun Wooller For The Daily Mail
Published: 17:00 EST, 2 January 2022 | Updated: 03:19 EST, 3 January 2022
Generations of women last night demanded an urgent inquiry into a drug they call the 'silent Thalidomide'.
A synthetic oestrogen known as Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage – and to dry up breast milk. But it has since been linked to a raft of health conditions including cancer, infertility and early menopause.
A Daily Mail investigation today lays bare the devastating impact of this little-known drug which has ravaged the bodies of three generations of British women since 1940.
Marion McMillan, 73, was given DES 50 years ago to dry up her breast milk after she was forced to give up her baby for adoption. The mother-of-three now has terminal cancer.
She said: 'I think it's worse than Thalidomide because your subsequent children and grandchildren could be affected.'
Incredibly, DES is still used to treat prostate cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer. MPs and victims last night called for an investigation into DES and a public awareness campaign to identify victims.
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Terminal cancer: Marion McMillan (left and right) was prescribed DES after giving up her baby for adoption in 1966 now has terminal cancer...