The thoughts of breast cancer survivors regarding the need for starting hormone replacement therapy.
There is not only a need for scientific data regarding the risk of recurrence of breast cancer by starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but also regarding the patients' needs for HRT.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the severity of climacteric complaints in breast cancer patients and to examine if they are willing to take HRT.


METHODS
In November 2003, a questionnaire was sent to 469 breast cancer survivors. The survey examined on a scale base the severity of climacteric complaints and the patient's opinion on starting HRT.


RESULTS
More than 76% of the patients complained that they experience or had experienced hot flushes or night sweating. More than half (53%) of this group found the inconvenience severe to extreme, affecting the patient's quality of life. A majority (80.5%) patients who had already taken HRT, found that it improved their quality of life substantially. When the results of observational studies were explained regarding HRT in breast cancer survivors, a majority said they would take or would consider taking HRT (57.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
While physicians are more reserved in prescribing HRT in breast cancer survivors, a combination of severe symptomatic climacteric complaints and the willingness of the patient to be treated should at least result in a "consideration" of prescribing HRT.
Trinh
Xuan-Bich
XB
Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Peeters
Frederik
F
Tjalma
Wiebren A A
WA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000139:chemically induced; D017698:Postmenopause; D011374:Progesterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone