The study aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two low-dose vaginal estrogen treatments (ETs) and of a non-hormonal vaginal moisturizer in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with urogenital atrophy. Eighteen patients receiving estriol cream 0.25 mg (n = 10) or estradiol tablets 12.5 microg (n = 8) twice/week for 12 weeks were evaluated and compared with eight patients treated with polycarbophil-based moisturizer 2.5 g twice/week. Severity of vaginal atrophy was assessed using subjective [Vaginal Symptoms Score (VSS), Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF)] and objective [Vaginal Health Index (VHI), Karyopycnotic Index (KI)] evaluations, while safety by measuring endometrial thickness and serum sex hormones levels. After 4 weeks, VSS and VHI were significantly improved by both vaginal ETs, with further improvement after 12 weeks. PFSF improved significantly only in estriol group (p = 0.02). Safety measurements did not significantly change. Vaginal moisturizer improved VSS at week 4 (p = 0.01), but score returned to pre-treatment values at week 12; no significant modification of VHI, KI, PFSF was recorded. Both low-dose vaginal ET are effective for relieving urogenital atrophy, while non-hormonal moisturizer only provides transient benefit. The increase of serum estrogens levels during treatment with vaginal estrogen at these dosages is minimal.

The study aims to analyze the association between body mass index (BMI) at time of diagnosis, breast cancer histopathologic features (tumor size, nuclear grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PgR) and HER-2/neu expression, histological subtypes, Ki-67 index, lymphatic/vascular invasion, axillary nodes involvement) and incidence of different subtypes defined using hormone receptors and HER2/neu expression, according to menopausal status; to evaluate the impact of BMI on disease free survival (DFS) at multivariate analysis. A total of 2148 patients (592 premenopausal, 1556 postmenopausal) were classified into subgroups according to BMI distribution. High BMI was significantly associated with larger size tumor both in pre (p = 0.01) and postmenopausal women (p = 0.00). Obese premenopausal women showed worse histopathologic features (more metastatic axillary lymphnodes, p = 0.017 and presence of vascular invasion, p = 0.006) compared to under/normal weight group. Postmenopausal patients with BMI > 25 developed more frequently ER/PgR positive cancers (87% versus 75%, p 0.017), while no association was found in premenopausal women. We could not found any statistically significant correlation between breast cancer subtypes (luminal A, B, HER-2 and basal-like) and BMI both in pre and postmenopause. Higher BMI was significantly associated with a shorter DR-FS in postmenopausal women but the independent prognostic role of obesity was not confirmed in our analysis.

Introduction Breast cancer and its treatment negatively affect the important aspects of a woman’s life such as sexual health, cognitive functions, body image, and weight. Abrupt estrogen deficiency following chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy plays an important role in worsening of sexuality. Aim To evaluate the impact of breast cancer treatment on sexual functioning, cognitive function, and body weight in premenopausal women. Methods Thirty-five women with a premenopausal diagnosis of breast cancer who are candidate to adjuvant treatment completed validated questionnaires on menopausal symptoms, sexuality, partner relationship, depression, body image, and cognitive functions after surgery (T0), then after chemotherapy or at least 6 months of endocrine therapy (T1), and after 1 year (T2). In addition, gynecological and dietological examinations were performed. Main Outcome Measure The following validated questionnaires were used: Greene Climacteric Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Body Attitude Test, McCoy revised Italian version McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire, Cues for Sexual Desire Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Numeric Matrix Test and Rey uditory-verbal learning test, to measure cognitive functions, a recall 24 H questionnaire to evaluate food intake, Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire and Eating Attitude Test-40, while anthropometric and plicometry data were assessed by a dietitian. Results Low levels of sexual functioning were registered at baseline; a further decrease in sexual activity, quality of the partnered relationship, desire, and arousability was demonstrated at T1 and T2. We found a significant increase in hot flushes and anxiety. Nonsignificant deterioration of body image was demonstrated. Although women reported losing memory and concentration, “chemobrain” effect was not demonstrated as cognitive tests improved after 6 months, probably because of “learning effect.” Women who had undergone chemotherapy gained weight and fat disposition was typically android. Conclusions Young women undergoing adjuvant breast cancer therapy experience a heavy impairment in important quality of life domains as sexuality and targeted support interventions are needed.