The DES breast cancer trial against drug manufacturer Eli Lilly was a momentous event for Maine DES daughter Patricia Royall, who was in the Boston courtroom on the first day. “The trial was amazing,” she says, “and I was so glad I took the time to go hear opening remarks and the first expert witness, Dr. Hans Olov-Adami, a well known, published, epidemiologist from Harvard. There were about 20 or so DES daughters there.” Opening remarks Aaron Levine was one of the lawyers representing four sisters, whose case was considered a bellwether for several more pending cases, including one filed by Patricia. Levine began his opening remarks by stating, ” … they have come into court to say that we suffered breast cancer because you were negligent, you failed to test, you failed to warn, you failed to evaluate, you failed to put the right literature out — and because of that — and your promotion of this drug without testing, we have suffered breast cancer.” Eli Lilly’s lawyer, James Dillon, countered by stating that, ” … diethylstilbestrol Settled out of court Patricia is also upset that people didn’t get to hear all the evidence. In a statement released after the settlement was announced, Eli Lilly said, “While we continue to believe that Lilly’s medication did not cause the conditions alleged in the lawsuit, we believe the settlement is in the best interest of the company.” “The science that DES causes breast cancer is well-established, and it must be embarrassing to Lilly to continue to say that DES does not cause cancer,” says Patricia. “They have spent millions settling lawsuits and if they weren’t guilty, than why not stay and fight to the finish?” DES petition drive “My goal,” she says, “is to create a larger awareness of DES and its long-term side effects; reach out to women and men who have been exposed to DES; and send a strong message to Eli Lilly that we’re not giving up or going away. They need to acknowledge that they have harmed millions of people and they need to be held accountable to their original agreement to deal in good faith with the rest of the plaintiffs.” To sign the petition, click on Eli Lilly — Fess Up on DES! |
I just signed the petition but I mistakenly hit send twice. Sorry! Fyi- I do not have a pending lawsuit and first heard about this issue from last weeks report on the news.
Robin,
Don’t worry! I will let Patricia Royall know that you hit send twice.
I had Breast Cancer and was exposed to DES in utero.
10-21-18
I just read you articoe(s). I am a female born in 1942, now 76 yrs old. My mother was put on DES when she was pregnant with me. My father was away in WWII. We learned of the DES in letter sent to Mom and I in the 1980’s from Trinity Hosital in Minot. Mom did not suffer problems that I know of, she had one more child, my brother born in 1952. I do not know if she took DES during that pregnanct. At any rate, I have had infertility problems all my life: In the 9th grade (1958) I had my first period. It was light and brief, 2-3 days. I did not have another period until spring of 1962, 5 years later when I was a sophomore in college! It too was light and brief. From then on I had only 1-2 periods every 1-3 years. No doctors could tell my parents or me why .I was slim (124 lbs, 5’7″), never drank or smoked, very athletic with tennis and ice-skating particularly. I have had a beautifully shaped, feminine body, but my plumbing didn’t work and never has. I have had a low sex drive, and vicious insomnia since college, often getting one or fewer hours of sleep per night. Within the past 2 years I have been dx’d with osteoporosis of the spine, as well as essential (or familial) tremors which have become quite severe. I wonder if they could be related to my 50+ years of lack of proper sleep, which in turn I wonder if DES caused. Well, I hope this account helps your research/projects a little bit. Sincerely, Ms. Nordell Cockrell, Minot, ND (701) 838-9408