Prof Donal Brennan, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology in the UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, and colleagues have published a new featured review on menopause treatment for cancer patients.
Review aims to implement a more personalised and multidisciplinary approach in treatment of menopause symptoms after cancer.
(What about after surgical menopause?)
The article provides a comprehensive view of the current hormonal and non-hormonal therapy options studied and suggests a framework for more cost-effective and patient-focused models of care to meet the needs of a growing population of cancer survivors.
“Patients have repeatedly highlighted the burden of menopause symptoms after cancer treatment. They feel that these are often minimised or in some cases ignored,” said Prof Brennan. “
Key treatment advice points include:
- MHT is an effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and seems to be safe for many patients with cancer, the paper states.
- Women younger than 45 years without contraindications should be offered an individualised treatment plan including MHT after cancer treatment.
- If MHT is contraindicated, non-pharmacological and non-hormonal treatments are available for vasomotor symptoms; vaginal oestrogen seems to be safe for most patients with cancer and growing evidence supports safety after breast cancer.
- Multidisciplinary management of menopause after cancer is essential and should include primary care and, if appropriate, allied health practitioners.
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 