Hoops and Hopes for a DES Apology

The following is a message from Caitlin McCarthy in USA:

I have just received the following email from Senator Brown's office (copying Senator Kerry's office):
"Hi Caitlin:
Unfortunately, and despite our offices many attempts to raise awareness of this issue, it does not appear that the US Government - including the FDA - will issue a formal apology at this time.
If you would like to continue to pursue this matter, we suggest you consider working with members of the Senate HELP Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FDA. The Senate HELP website can be found at http://help.senate.gov/
We wish we could have provided you with the resolution that you desire and wish you best of luck in your future efforts.
Thank you."

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my DES blog post, add the blog post links to their Facebook and Twitter pages, and spread the word about the DES apology attempt. I honestly did my best. Moving forward, I'm going to focus my attention on raising awareness about DES through my feature film screenplay WONDER DRUG.

I encourage anyone who wants to continue pursuing the DES apology to contact the Senate HELP Committee (see link above).

Thank you again for your help and support.

- Caitlin

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COMMENT:Hearty congratulations to Caitlin and all supporters -the seeds are now sown towards a DES Apology!

More news....Caitlin's nomination as Intelligent Optimist is online with Ode Magazine http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/intelligent_optimists/22519/caitlin_mccarthy

"Huff" gets onto Apology

Wow!
The Huffington Post, ranked the most powerful blog in the world by The Observer, today is featuring a huge item by Diana Bianchini about the need for a DES apology from the US Government.

See it now - One of America's Deepest Darkest Family Secrets: The DES Drug Disaster at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-biachini/one-of-americas-deepest-d_b_740798.html

Please note the statement: "A U.S. apology would also raise global awareness about DES."

Now we urge you to post comments under the DES article to let everyone know about the DES problems in Australia! Here is a chance to "let fly"!!

If you haven't already written to the US Senators to help make the Apology happen, their addresses are at previous blog "US Push for DES Apology".

US Push for DES Apology

See blog post:
http://celebritiesindisgrace.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/sorry-seems-to-be-the-hardest-word-where-is-the-public-apology-for-des-the-worlds-first-drug-disaster-by-caitlin-mccarthy/

US screenwriter, Caitlin McCarthy (DES daughter) has a new blog post on acclaimed author Elizabeth Searle's site entitled SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD: Where is the Public Apology for DES, the World's First Drug Disaster? This blog post is a must see for anyone concerned about justice regarding DES exposure.

Caitlin's arguments are forthright and strong as she describes her lobbying on the issue of apology for DES with the Massachusetts Senators Kerry and Brown. You don't have to live in USA to voice your support and Caitlin provides options and the contacts in USA for us here in Australia to have a say.

HOW IS THIS RELEVANT TO AUSTRALIA?
There is potential for Australian media interest in the Public Apology for DES, with some real flow on benefits for the DES exposed community of Australia. Some of these benefits would include public recognition of the DES issue and public interest in the welfare of those exposed. These things would help validate the trauma and alleviate the suffering of those affected. It would also help inform up to 568,000 DES exposed Australians, who still today, are unaware of the fact of their DES exposure, and are suffering the effects of DES without knowing why and what they can do about it. A US Public Apology for DES may even set a precedent for the Australian government to issue a National Apology and go on to formally recognise the rights of Australians to be informed of the possibility of having been DES exposed. Food for thought???

Visit Caitlin's blog post now to check out her options in supporting a US Apology for DES. If you are outside USA and having difficulty with the web forms of Senators Kerry and Brown, you can send a letter to the following addresses:

Senator John Kerry (MA)
United States Senate
218 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
USA

Senator Scott Brown (MA)
United States Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2102
USA

Our Breast Screening Behind The Scenes

In March this year the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) reviewed its College Statement (C-Gen 8) Diethylstilboestrol (DES) Exposure in Utero. This Statement now includes information that annual mammography is recommended for women aged 40 and over in view of the recent reports of increased breast cancer risks in these age groups.

The June 2009 BreastScreen Australia Evaluation Final Report (Screening Monograph N0:1/2009, Policy Issue No:6) states: Women who were exposed to DES in utero may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. However, the level of risk is similar to exposure to a range of other risks that would not generally require more intensive screening or management protocols.

The Department of Health and Ageing's Cancer Screening Section has been notified by DES Action NSW of this discrepancy regarding screening between the Report and the College Statement. However, no action is intended by the Department on this matter.

DES Action NSW stands by the following information provided by its partner organisation DES Action USA:

DES daughters over age 40 should have a mammogram every year, along with a clinical breast examination (presumably at the same time as her annual DES examination).

Recommendations for DES mothers call for annual breast screenings, including clinical breast examinations and mammograms.

Disturbingly, the 2009 BreastScreen Australia Evaluation Report makes recommendation that women aged 40-44 and women aged 75+ be made ineligible for BreastScreen Services. If implemented, the worst impact would be for the thousands of Australian women who are still unaware of the fact of having been exposed to DES.

DES Action NSW has suggestions to help DES mothers and daughters access annual mammograms at BreastScreen services. To find this information, go to the previous blog item 17/1/09.

WONDER MONTH FOR WONDER DRUG

July has been the month for wonders for Caitlin McCarthy, screenwriter of the US film in development, WONDER DRUG. Caitlin (in photo) received the award "Most Likely To Be Produced" at the 2010 Action on Film International Film Festival. No doubt she is feeling ecstatic and over the moon. Even a selected scene from WONDER DRUG was screened at this Festival. Caitlin was interviewed following her award achievement and this will be posted on YouTube over the next few weeks.

As we watch WONDER DRUG's development go from strength to strength, all Australians can gain hope for this film's distribution in Australia. The WONDER DRUG film in our country has the potential to end a good deal of unnecessary suffering now and in the future for all unsuspecting DES exposed Australians, who have so far been badly kept in the dark about the dangers of DES.

WONDER DRUG's attention is ever growing with blog posts and media articles. For the full stories about WONDER DRUG and to offer support, see www.facebook.com/wonderdrugthemovie

Diagnosed with DES associated cancer?

Here is some interesting information for DES daughters who have had diagnosis of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina/cervix (CCA).

The Center for Analysis for Rare Tumors (CART-WHEEL) is a project by the Royal Melbourne Hospital to study different kinds of rare tumors. People from all over the world are invited to submit information about about their particular tumor so that researchers can develop new insights into these understudied tumors and this may hopefully lead to better treatments.

You can read all about CART-WHEEL and register for participation in this research study at www.cart-wheel.org
For further information you can contact:
CART-WHEEL
BioGrid Australia
6 North, Main Building
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Grattan St, Parkville 3050
VIC, Australia

Ph: +61 3 93423167
Email: contact@cart-wheel.org

IMPORTANT MEMO
Australian DES daughters diagnosed with CCA are urged to self-report their cases to BOTH the TGA Reporting Adverse Events for Consumers and the DES Cancer Registry Chicago.

DES Action NSW knows of instances where cases have gone unreported by health care providers in Australia. Case reports are crucial to knowing the magnitude of the DES exposure problem in our country.

NY Times - Huge Ad

A full page advertisement by Aaron Levine & Associates was published in New York Times (27/6/10) about litigation opportunity for DES daughters affected by breast cancer. Aaron Levine & Associates is a US team of women's health lawyers, experienced in DES injury litigation and currently concentrating on breast cancer in DES daughters.

This advertisement certainly indicates the saga of suffering due to DES is far from over.

There is more information about legal recourse at the blog item 22/11/08 "Media Alert: Australian woman wins battle against 'wonder drug' makers in United States".