The multidisciplinary management of menopausal symptoms after breast cancer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe a unique model of multidisciplinary care for women with menopausal symptoms after breast cancer and present preliminary data for 653 women. The nature and severity of menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer were measured using a standardized scale. A total of 578 women with breast cancer were managed at the Menopausal Symptoms After Cancer Clinic between January 2003 and December 2008. The most common reasons for these women to seek treatment were hot flushes (41%), night sweats (36%), loss of interest in sex (30%), difficulty sleeping (25%), and fatigue (22%). Extreme vaginal dryness was also reported in 19% of these women. Chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure was reported by 29% of the breast cancer patients seen. A range of management approaches were offered, with 55% of the women prescribed nonhormonal pharmacological therapies for vasomotor symptoms, including vitamin E 400 IU twice daily (21%), venlafaxine 75 mg CR once daily (13%), clonidine 50 microg twice daily (11%), or gabapentin 300 mg three times daily (4%). Vasomotor symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disturbance are the most distressing menopausal symptoms requiring management after breast cancer. Menopausal symptom management after breast cancer may be complex, and we present a novel model of care using a multidisciplinary approach. Additional benefits of this multidisciplinary approach include education opportunities, improved communication and networking opportunities, and decision making in line with evidence-based guidelines.