WHAT HAPPENED IN AUSTRALIA?1971 - Oct 15, information from US arrived in Australia about cancer link to DES (clear cell adenocarcinoma vagina/cervix).
1972 - Sept 9, Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) warning about DES appears in Medical Journal of Australia.
1973 - A national register of DES cancer cases is recommended by TGA committee, but did not eventuate.
1975 - Further warning appears in Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin (TGA).
Late 1970s - Failure by doctor to report DES cancer in two girls is revealed. At least five children at one children's hospital with likely DES exposure are not investigated. TGA made decision to keep medical profession informed, rather than release statement to lay press. Media release is thought to risk practical problems and public alarm.
1976-1979 A few articles about DES appear in lay press.
1981 - Australia's only DES Clinic established in Melbourne. Its promotion is not mandated. The clinic's listing of patients is purported to be a State Register. Article in Medical Journal of Australia states: A major problem in this country is that there is no recall system which could identify those pregnant women given DES. This Journal alerts doctors of increased risk of unfavourable outcome of pregnancy in DES daughters.
1983 - Reporting of DES cancer cases to TGA is stymied for almost two decades. (TGA informed by a doctor that gathering reports by TGA is unnecessary. TGA complies with this.)
1984 - Research shows increased risk of breast cancer in DES mothers.
1995 - DES Action Australia-NSW established.
1997 - Government commissioned report states probably only 1 case of DES cancer in Australia and provides little justification to keep the DES community informed. Available data in 1997 indicates between 25 and 88 cases.
1998 - At request of DES Action Australia-NSW with a government grant, Cancer Council NSW distributes DES information targeting NSW women. Minister for Health & Aged Care states:...a general publicity campaign for DES exposed people to identify themselves would create anxiety without tangible benefit. Cancer Council NSW ceases DES information distribution as the information is "too scary" for women.
2001 - The Strategic Communication Plan for the US Centers for Disease Control's DES National Education Campaign as a model for Australia is ignored by the Minister for Health & Aged Care.
2004 - TGA issues media release, generating publicity with inaccurate information that DES cancer risk had passed. Government correspondence states promotion of DES information may create community anxiety and refuses to directly inform the public about DES in health promotion programs.
2005 - TGA's Bulletin (which targets medical professionals) reports on screening guidelines for DES daughters.
2006 - Research shows DES daughters over age 40 have increased risk for developing breast cancer.
2008 - Legal assistance sought by DES Action Australia-NSW, following four years unsuccessful lobbying to have TGA's 2004 media release misinformation addressed. TGA then issues Bulletin and media release with the correct information, including 2006 research finding regarding increased breast cancer risk in DES daughters and their need for annual mammography. No media interest transpired. Australian woman wins a legal battle with DES manufacturers in USA.
2011 - Matter of Government failure to properly inform Australians about DES is relayed to Australian Human Rights Commissioner by DES Action Australia-NSW. This year marks 40th Anniversary of the DES cancer link. The US FDA declined to issue an apology for DES, but acknowledged DES exposure as a "tragedy". Yet still, DES information remains buried in Australian Government websites. The majority of the estimated 740,000 DES exposed Australians remain unaware of the danger of DES and the special vital preventive health care they need.
Please view the DES Action USA Key Events at http://www.desaction.org/timeline.htm
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