diethylstilbestrol [also called DES]
(dye-ETH-ul-stil-BES-trol)
An estrogen-like hormone used in the past to help women prevent miscarriage. Daughters of women who used DES have an increased risk of cancer of the vagina. It may also increase the risk of breast cancer in women who used it, as well as their daughters.
Read more about DES exposure as a breast cancer risk factor.
Audio contributed by: Marisa Weiss, M.D.