Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

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Consumers Home > What You Can Do > Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

The following are questions everyone should ask their health care provider.

Have you treated women/men who were exposed to DES?
I was/may have been exposed to DES. What would you recommend I do to protect my health?
Do you know about CDC's DES Update?
Do new DES research findings mean I should be doing anything different to protect my health?

For Women Prescribed DES While Pregnant
The following are questions to ask your health care provider if you were prescribed DES while pregnant.

I was prescribed DES while pregnant. DES research shows that women like me have about a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer over their lifetime. How will we plan my mammogram schedule and other physical exams to manage my increased risk?
I know that monthly breast self-exams may help protect my health. Will you show me how to do a breast self-exam correctly? Does it matter what time of the month I perform breast self-exams?
I was prescribed DES while pregnant with my daughter/son. What health risks should I be discussing with her/him?
Do new DES research findings mean I should be doing anything different to protect my health?

For DES Daughters
The following are questions to ask your health care provider if you are a woman who was exposed to DES before birth (in the womb), known as a DES Daughter.

My mother was prescribed DES while pregnant with me. Current DES research shows that DES Daughters continue to be at a higher risk for clear cell adenocarinoma (CCA) of the vagina and cervix into their late 40s. I understand I should be monitored for CCA throughout my lifetime. What types of screenings and exams should I receive to manage my increased risk?
Have you worked with any DES Daughters who were able to become pregnant?
Do you work with high-risk pregnancies? If not, could you refer me to a health care provider who does?
Research shows that DES Daughters have an increased risk for structural changes of the uterus and cervix (such as a T-shaped uterus, cockscomb on the cervix, and hooded cervix). Do I need to be examined for any of these differences? If so, when?
DES research shows that DES Daughters have an increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancies, miscarriages, and premature deliveries. What additional screenings or tests should we think about to protect my health during pregnancy?
Preliminary results of DES research indicate that DES Daughters older than 40 are at higher risk for breast cancer. I know that monthly breast self-exams may help protect my health. Will you show me how to do a breast self-exam correctly? Does it matter what time of the month I perform breast self-exams?
What health risks does my mother have because she was prescribed DES while she was pregnant with me?
(If applicable) What health risks does my brother have because he was exposed to DES before birth (in the womb)?
Do new DES research findings mean I should be doing anything different to protect my health?

For DES Sons
The following are questions to ask your health care provider if you are a man who was exposed to DES before birth (in the womb), known as a DES Son.

My mother was prescribed DES while pregnant with me. Researchers are exploring whether DES exposure is linked to testicular cancer. I know that testicular self-exams may help protect my health. Will you show me how to do a testicular self-exam correctly? How often should I do self-exams and what should I look for?
What health risks does my mother have because she was prescribed DES while she was pregnant with me?
(If applicable) What health risks does my sister have because she was exposed to DES before birth (in the womb)?
Do new DES research findings mean I should be doing anything different to protect my health?