title: Estrogenic botanical supplements, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and hormone-related symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a HEAL study report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It remains unclear whether estrogenic botanical supplement (EBS) use influences breast cancer survivors' health-related outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the associations of EBS use with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), with fatigue, and with 15 hormone-related symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats among 767 breast cancer survivors participating in the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study. HRQOL was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study short form-36 physical and mental component scale summary score. Fatigue was measured by the Revised-Piper Fatigue Scale score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither overall EBS use nor the number of EBS types used was associated with HRQOL, fatigue, or hormone-related symptoms. However, comparisons of those using each specific type of EBS with non-EBS users revealed the following associations. Soy supplements users were more likely to have a better physical health summary score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.70). Flaxseed oil users were more likely to have a better mental health summary score (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.05-2.94). Ginseng users were more likely to report severe fatigue and several hormone-related symptoms (all ORs ≥ 1.7 and all 95% CIs exclude 1). Red clover users were less likely to report weight gain, night sweats, and difficulty concentrating (all OR approximately 0.4 and all 95% CIs exclude 1). Alfalfa users were less likely to experience sleep interruption (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12-0.68). Dehydroepiandrosterone users were less likely to have hot flashes (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14-0.82).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that several specific types of EBS might have important influences on a woman's various aspects of quality of life, but further verification is necessary.
authors: Division of Cancer Etiology, Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. hma@coh.org
authors: Huiyan
authors: H
authors: Ma
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Sullivan-Halley
authors: Ashley W
authors: AW
authors: Smith
authors: Marian L
authors: ML
authors: Neuhouser
authors: Catherine M
authors: CM
authors: Alfano
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Meeske
authors: Stephanie M
authors: SM
authors: George
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: McTiernan
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: McKean-Cowdin
authors: Kathy B
authors: KB
authors: Baumgartner
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Ballard-Barbash
authors: Leslie
authors: L
authors: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations