Hot flashes severity, complementary and alternative medicine use, and self-rated health in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Context Hot flashes (HF) are a common distressing symptom in women with breast cancer (BC). Current pharmacologic options are moderately effective and are associated with bothersome side effects. Complementary and alternative medicine is commonly used by cancer patients. However, information on the association of hot flashes severity with such use and self-rated health is lacking. Objective To examine the hot flashes severity in women with breast cancer and its association with complementary and alternative medicine use and self-rated health (SRH). Design Longitudinal multicenter study to assess information needs of cancer outpatients. Participants Patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer who were scheduled to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Outcome Measures Hot flashes severity (0 = not present and 10 = as bad as you can imagine), use of complementary and alternative medicine (yes/no), and self-rating of health (SRH) status post-treatment and six-months thereafter (1–5, higher score = better SRH). Results The majority of women with HF (mean age = 54.4 years) were Caucasian and married, with higher education, and 93% had received surgical treatment for BC. At the end of treatment, 79% women reported experiencing HF [mean severity = 5.87, standard deviation (SD) = 2.9]; significantly more severe HF were reported by younger women with poor SRH, better performance status, and those reporting doing spiritual practices. At follow-up, 73% had HF (mean severity = 4.86, SD = 3.0), and more severe HF were reported by younger women with poor self-rated health who had undergone chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, used vitamins, and did not exercise. Conclusions A high percentage of women experienced hot flashes at the end of treatment and at six-month follow-up. A significant association of hot flashes severity with spiritual practice, increased vitamin use, and reduced exercise emphasize the need for future studies to confirm the results. This can facilitate safe use of complementary and alternative medicine and favorable outcomes while managing cancer-related hot flashes.

Predictors of vasomotor symptoms among breast cancer survivors

“…This prevalence is substantially lower than that reported in other studies of breast cancer survivors [25-29], and likely reflects the extended time since breast cancer diagnosis in our cohort, although changes in breast cancer treatment practices over time also may contribute. Consistent with prior research, we identified chemotherapy and aHT as strong predictors of VMS after diagnosis [26, 28, 30]. Diagnosis with ER positive disease and mHT prior to diagnosis also were strongly predictive of VMS following breast cancer treatment.…”

Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture versus Sham Acupuncture: a Systematic Review

“…Women in menopause experience a number of vasomotor symptoms, among which hot flashes prevail. It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes 1 , and these ratios may vary from 64% to 85% in women with breast cancer 2 . The intensity and duration of hot flash episodes in women vary, and hot flashes generally lead to reduced quality of life because they cause physical discomfort and irritability, disturb sleep, and can lead to depression 1 - 3 .…”

Forming a Stress Management and Health Promotion Program for Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

“…Spiritual aspects contribute to improved mental health outcomes, 13 whereas self-rated health (SRH) should not be ignored because of its correlation to exercise levels and hot flashes. 14 Furthermore, a comparison of breast cancer patients with healthy controls showed that the former had lower scores on internal dimensions and higher scores on external dimensions of Health Locus of Control (HLC), a finding that may be associated with poor emotional adjustment to the disease. 15 Thus, even though no cause-effect relationships have been established for the above variables, maintaining a good physical and psychological status after the onset of breast cancer should be considered as having complex and multifactorial causes.…”