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Looking at Bodies: Insights and Inquiries about DES-Related Cancer
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Looking at Bodies: Insights and Inquiries about DES-Related Cancer

Susan Bell and Roberta Apfel
Qualitative sociology, v 18(1)
Mar 1995

Abstract

Cancer Females Human Body Meaning Sex Sexuality Toxic Substances
Examines symbolic & material meanings about gender & sexuality surrounding women's bodies via analysis of 3 vignettes from an ongoing study of the experiences of women who have had vaginal & cervical cancer as a result of their prenatal exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol), a synthetic estrogen prescribed to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. Each vignette represents a different social & political context, & it is demonstrated how the different contexts construct meaning. Implications of this for understanding the ambivalent, complicated, shifting, & contested meanings of women's bodies are discussed. 44 References. Adapted from the source document.

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