Survey Shows Ongoing Misconceptions About Hormone Therapy Safety In Cancer Survivors

Despite grounds suggesting nan information of hormone therapy for patients pinch a history of low-grade endometrial aliases epithelial ovarian cancer, a caller study shows that galore gynecologists and immoderate gynecologic oncologists are still uncomfortable prescribing nan therapy for this diligent population. This indicates a request for much clinician acquisition to thief flooded lingering misconceptions. Results of nan study are published online coming in Menopause, nan diary of The Menopause Society.

Although astir patients pinch gynecologic cancers are postmenopausal, it is estimated that 40% of these patients are premenopausal aliases perimenopausal astatine nan clip of diagnosis. Many patients undergoing room for a gynecologic malignancy will require a bilateral oophorectomy arsenic portion of their treatment. In addition, some chemotherapy and radiotherapy put women astatine consequence of decreased ovarian function.

Thanks to improvements successful crab therapies, it is important to see nan semipermanent effects of superior ovarian insufficiency and hormone deprivation successful premenopausal patients pinch gynecologic cancer. Estrogen therapy, however, has historically been underused successful this organization because of supplier concerns chiefly regarding crab recurrence.

In 2020, nan Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) released a connection that was affirmed by The Menopause Society to thief guideline nan usage of hormone therapy successful patients pinch gynecologic cancer. Since that time, location is nary known publication of statistic comparative to nan effect connected nan wave of practitioners prescribing hormones for this population.

That's why this caller web-based study of 293 members of nan SGO and nan American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was undertaken to research and specify nan usage of estrogen therapy successful women pinch a history of gynecologic cancer. Some of nan highlighted results of nan study include

• 63.82% of respondents prescribe estrogen therapy to patients pinch endometrial cancer
• 65.19% of respondents consciousness comfortable prescribing estrogen to patients pinch epithelial ovarian cancer
• 96.8% of respondents are comfortable prescribing estrogen for patients pinch cervical cancer

Prescribing patterns differed importantly based connected sex, occupation title, and years successful practice. The information propose that benign gynecology attraction professionals and those pinch little objective acquisition are much apt to clasp misconceptions astir hormone safety.

The respondents were besides asked astir their preferred estrogen therapy alternatives. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were nan astir often selected (88.4%), followed by gabapentin (58%), and neurokinin-3 antagonists (46.4%).

Studies show that hormone therapy is simply a highly effective and safe (for astir women) curen to negociate bothersome menopause symptoms that tin greatly impact a woman's value of life. The astir communal logic for not prescribing estrogen therapy successful patients pinch a history of gynecologic crab was nan belief that nan risks outweighed nan benefits. Although this whitethorn beryllium existent for definite cancers, it is not for all.

Survey results are published successful nan article "Estrogen therapy successful patients pinch gynecologic cancer: a study of gynecologists and oncologists successful nan United States."

Treatment for gynecologic cancers often accelerates nan onset of menopause and contributes to much terrible symptoms successful this population. Hormone therapy is nan astir effective curen for nan guidance of vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Recognizing erstwhile hormone therapy tin beryllium safely utilized will person a beneficial effect connected wide well-being and health."

Dr. Monica Christmas, subordinate aesculapian head for The Menopause Society