In the breast cancer patient population, about 75% of the patients are estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. This group of patients needs to receive at least 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy [1]. The main mechanism of endocrine therapy for
is to reduce the estrogen level in the patient's body through drugs or affect its effect, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Commonly used therapeutic drugs for endocrine in breast cancer include selective estrogen receptor modulators (such as tamoxifen ) and aromatase inhibitors (rolezole, anastrozole , exemetam) [1-2].
endocrine treatment can reduce breast cancer recurrence and mortality rate by 30%-45%, but it may also lead to a series of adverse reactions, and menopause-like symptoms are one of them [2].
Menopause symptoms [2]
The so-called menopause symptoms refer to a series of vasomotor symptoms caused by endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer during endocrine treatment, which may manifest as hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms similar to menopause syndrome. Studies have shown that during the endocrine treatment period, about 60.0%-77.6% of breast cancer patients have symptoms of hot flashes.
What is the feeling of hot flashes? [3]
Hot flash is a periodic, short-term flushing, sweating and fever, which may be accompanied by palpitations and anxiety, and sometimes chills.
Compared with other adverse reactions, menopause symptoms such as hot flashes are not serious, but in fact, these symptoms will not only reduce the patient's quality of life, but also affect the patient's treatment compliance.
For example, hot flashes at night will cause the body to have a strong metabolism, put the brain in an excited state, reduce the proportion of deep sleep, and affect the patient's normal sleep; premature experience of menopause symptoms such as hot flashes will also cause great harm to the body and mind of young breast cancer patients and reduce their treatment compliance.
Tips for coping with hot flashes [4-6]
Adjust your lifestyle to avoid inducing factors
Eat Spicy food , intake of alcohol, excessive ambient temperature, psychological anxiety, etc. may all cause hot flashes.
So, if the situation allows, we can choose to eat some cold food and not overheated food. At the same time, we can also choose to drink some cold drinks instead of hot coffee, strong tea and other hot drinks, because intake of alcohol will increase the body temperature and aggravate the symptoms of hot flashes. Moreover, studies have shown that compared with daily alcohol intake less than 0.5 grams, daily alcohol intake will increase breast cancer recurrence and mortality.
In addition to the above, you can use air conditioners, fans or maintain indoor ventilation to control the ambient temperature within a suitable range, wear lighter and looser cotton clothes, and add and subtract clothes in time depending on the temperature.
Psychological states such as anxiety can also lead to hot flashes. You can do something you like to relax and keep a peaceful and happy mood.
In short, in daily life, stimulating factors that can cause hot flashes should be avoided as much as possible.
Hypermore exercise
Hypermore exercise regularly and moderately helps promote blood circulation and strengthens the body's ability to adapt to temperature changes and regulate.
So if the situation allows, you can do moderate exercise 3-5 times a week, such as yoga. Yoga helps relieve symptoms of hot flashes to a certain extent, and its efficacy is better than some ordinary exercise methods.
In addition, studies have shown that 8-duanjin exercise can significantly improve the treatment of menopausal syndrome in breast cancer patients; aerobic exercise can also significantly improve the oxygen carrying capacity and quality of life of breast cancer patients.
It should be emphasized that the formulation of exercise plans should be based on the specific situation of the patient's physical condition, exercise ability, etc., and the appropriate exercise method, intensity, and time should be selected.If you are combined with hypertension , coronary heart disease and other diseases, you should avoid strong exercise. It is recommended to consult a doctor before exercise and to pay attention to maintaining adequate sleep in daily life.
Maintain a healthy weight
Patients with breast cancer who have significantly increased their weight before diagnosis have a higher chance of moderate to severe hot flashes than those with stable weight, so they can lose weight and control their weight within a healthy range, which may also be beneficial to improve the symptoms of hot flashes.
1 drug treatment
is mainly treated with non-hormonal drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), γ aminobutyric acid , etc., which helps reduce the number and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer patients.
It is necessary to remind everyone that drug treatment should be performed under the guidance of professional doctors.
If you are troubled by symptoms such as hot flashes for a long time and affect your normal life, it is recommended to seek medical treatment in a timely manner for targeted treatment.
References:
[1] Jing Feng, Xing Weijie, Qiu Jiajia, et al. Investigation and research on endocrine treatment-related symptoms in breast cancer patients [J]. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2021, 56(5):737-743. DOI:10.3761/j.issn.0254-1769.2021.05.016.
[2] Jing Feng, Xing Weijie. Research progress on endocrine treatment-related symptoms and non-pharmaceutical intervention in breast cancer patients [J]. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2021, 56(4):635-640. DOI:10.3761/j.issn.0254-1769.2021.04.027.
[3]Jing Feng, Xing Weijie. Research progress on symptoms and evaluation tools related to endocrine treatment of breast cancer [J]. Journal of Nurse Continuing Studies, 2021, 36(5):400-404. DOI:10.16821/j.cnki.hsjx.2021.05.004.
[4]Lu Lingyan, Wan Donggui, Zhou Xin, et al. Research progress on traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of breast cancer-related perimenopause syndrome [J]. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Surgery, 2022, 28(4):588-592. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1007-6948.2022.04.031.
[5] Wei Tingting, Li Jie, Li Xia, et al. Summary of the best evidence for non-drug management of menopause symptoms in breast cancer patients [J]. Journal of Nursing, 2021, 36(14):37-42. DOI:10.3870/j.issn.1001-4152.2021.14.037.
[6] Chen Zhiling. Research on adverse reactions of breast cancer assisted endocrine therapy and progress of nursing intervention [J]. Clinical Medicine Research and Practice, 2020, 5(22):193-195. DOI:10.19347/j.cnki.2096-1413.202022073.
Cover and illustration: Visual China
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