Managing Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: Focus on Hot Flashes

Breast cancer survivors usually experience menopausal symptoms to a far greater degree than women who have not had breast cancer. Choices are limited, however, in what can be offered in the way of safe and effective therapy. This review article discusses the options available to breast cancer survivors for the treatment of the most common and bothersome of menopausal symptoms: hot flashes. Traditional and complementary approaches are discussed with attention to benefits and risks as they relate to treating women with a personal history of breast cancer.