Victims of cancer-linked pregnancy drug to demand public inquiry into ‘silent scandal’

Victims of a cancer-linked pregnancy drug will meet with Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Monday as part of a push to get a public inquiry into what they believe is a “silent scandal”.

DES Justice UK (DJUK) is also seeking the creation of an NHS screening programme to identify those who may be at risk from exposure to diethylstilbestrol, commonly known as DES.

The campaign group has more than 500 members and includes women who took the drug, but also their daughters, sons and grand-daughters who have suffered issues such as infertility, reproductive abnormalities and increased risk of cancer.

DES – a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen – was prescribed to pregnant women from 1940 to the 1970s.

It was used to prevent miscarriage, premature labour and complications of pregnancy, as well as to suppress breast milk production, as emergency contraception and to treat symptoms of menopause.

According to DJUK, DES was prescribed to about 300,000 women over almost four decades.

In 1971, it was linked to a cancer of the cervix and vagina called clear cell adenocarcinomam, leading to US regulators calling for it not to be given to pregnant women.

However, it continued to be prescribed to pregnant women in Europe until 1978.

DES is also linked to cancers such as breast, pancreatic and cervical.

DJUK is meeting with Mr Streeting to urge him to launch a public inquiry into the events.

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Source: The Independent, 9 February 2026