title: Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: Frequency, severity and impact.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) determine the frequency and severity of hot flashes, (2) examine the associations between hot flash frequency and severity and quality of life, and (3) identify the predictors of hot flash activity in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a cross-sectional design and mailed survey of 253 breast cancer survivors recruited from a cancer wellness clinic. Participants provided information regarding cancer history, hot flashes, pain intensity, sleep problems, physical functioning, and psychological functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About half of the survivors reported at least one hot flash in the past 24 h (45%) or past week (52%). The average frequency of hot flashes was 1.9 in the past 24 h and 1.8 in the past week. Hot flash severity was usually mild or asymptomatic. However, participants with hot flashes reported significantly more sleep problems and higher pain severity than those reporting no hot flashes. Moreover, the severity of hot flashes was associated with more sleep problems, higher pain severity, and more psychological dysfunction. History of hormonal suppression therapy and younger age predicted hot flash activity in the study sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In breast cancer survivors, hot flashes are common and are associated with unpleasant symptoms and poor quality of life. Research is needed to determine if treatments that reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors also result in improvements in symptoms such as sleep problems, pain, and psychological dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Jen-Ai Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhong-Shan S. Rd., Taipei, 10002, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hao-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Rice University, 6100 Main St, MS-760, Houston, TX 77005-1827, United States.
authors.forename: Aparna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jotwani
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Jen-Ai Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhong-Shan S. Rd., Taipei, 10002, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yeur-Hur
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Box 356490, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104, United States. Electronic address: mjensen@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Biobehavioral Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, D5-220, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356560, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Syrjala
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356560, Seattle, WA, 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Jesse R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fann
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 825 Eastlake Ave E., Seattle, WA, 98109-1023, United States; Breast Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave East, G3-630, Seattle, WA, 98109, United States.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gralow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Breast cancer survivors; Hot flashes; Menopause; Physical functioning; Psychological functioning; Sleep dysfunction