Many women endure hot flashes and night sweats following breast cancer treatment. British researchers are now saying that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for women experiencing these main symptoms of menopause.
Hot flashes and night sweats (HFNS) occur in 65% to 85% of women following breast cancer treatments. “Hot flashes and night sweats are distressing symptoms, which cause social embarrassment and sleep problems, and they are challenging to treat, especially for women who have had breast cancer,” because hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is usually not recommended for these women, explained lead researcher Professor Myra Hunter from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London.
The study, published recently in The Lancet Oncology, suggests that CBT may be a safe and effective alternative to HRT in treating symptoms of menopause.
The randomized controlled trial took place over 26 weeks and followed 96 women who had problematic HFNS after breast cancer treatment. Researchers randomly assigned the women to either CBT or usual care.
Therapy involved 90-minute sessions each week for 6 weeks. Information shared during the sessions included:
- Steps to reduce stress and anxiety associated with HFNS
- Interactive PowerPoint presentations, group discussion, handouts, and weekly homework
- How to cope with hot flashes in social situations
- How to develop better sleep habits using mental and behavioral strategies
Conversely, the usual care simply included access to nurses and oncologists, telephone support, and cancer support services.
The investigators found that the 47 women who received CBT significantly reduced their HFNS problem rating at 9 weeks compared with usual care. These improvements were maintained for 26 weeks. More specifically, the team found a 46% reduction in symptoms at 9 weeks and a 52% reduction at 26 weeks.
On the contrary, study results showed HFNS decreased by only 19% after 9 weeks and 25% after 26 weeks for the women who received usual care.
“These reductions were sustained and associated with significant improvements in mood, sleep and quality of life,” Hunter said. “This is a safe, acceptable and effective treatment option, which can be incorporated into breast cancer survivorship programs and delivered by trained breast cancer nurses.”
Sources: King’s College London; U.S. News.