Hot Flashes and Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. (From -To) REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 01-08-2006 REPORT TYPE Annual Summary DATES COVERED ABSTRACTThis prospective study examined hot flashes and quality of life (QOL) in BC patients undergoing initial treatment. The medical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions used by patients were also examined. One hundred and ninety-six women were recruited to the study and data for several time-points continues to be collected on women who were recruited to the study 12 months ago in order to complete their 15 and 18 month questionnaires. A limited analysis of data gathered to date is available. Women were assessed for hot flash intensity/frequency, use of medical and CAM interventions, emotional distress, physical and social functioning, and QOL at diagnosis and 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months. Data were analyzed for each timepoint and results will be discussed in this report in relation to each specific aim. The sample is primarily middle-aged (M = 52 years; R = 27-83 years), European American (72.6%), has at least some college education (76.5%), and is married (64.2%). Approximately one-half (51.5%) of the sample reported that they were post-menopausal at diagnosis with 48.5% pre-menopausal. Of the women who were pre-menopausal prior to diagnosis, approximately (10%) reported that they were experiencing hot flashes at the 12 month time-point and these younger women reported higher levels of distress related to hot flashes than those women who were postmenopausal and already experiencing hot flashes. Of women currently experiencing hot flashes, 40.7% report at baseline, having used HRT and 26.8% used exercise to control hot flashes. The 12-month data indicates that 26.5% of the entire sample who are experiencing hot flashes, tried or are using some form of HRT to control hot flashes with exercise still the most frequently used approach to manage hot flashes with 44.2% of sample currently exercising. SUBJECT TERMS IntroductionThis project is an individual training grant in breast cancer. The project involved focused mentorship and training in all aspects of breast cancer care and research, including...

Mothers' Knowledge of Sickle-Cell Anaemia in Nigeria

“…For example, there is ample evidence that inadequacy of information that patients receive about their disease and treatment options contribute to distress [22] and frustration [23], especially with regard to chronic disorders in childhood [24], and specifically to sickle-cell anaemia [25]. And employing quality-of-life parameters to study patients with Hodgkin's disease, it was found that a group treated and given information through bulletin for 3 months benefitted more in areas such as anxiety, depression, and life disruption than the group that received the standard care only [26]. Furthermore, lack of or inadequate information on a disorder can lead to a limitless variety of conceptions of causation, many of which are based on societal norms, ethos, superstitions, and religio-philosophical speculations, and may, in consequence, instigate interpersonal conflicts and lifestyle, which can potentially aggravate the effects of the focal disorder.…”