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Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kimmick, G; Broadwater, G; Vitolins, M
Published in: International Journal of Women's Health
September 28, 2010

Aims: In breast cancer survivors, we aimed to describe the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats, frequency and type of treatment, and the association of hot flashes and use of calcium supplements. Methods: Charts of breast cancer survivors were reviewed for information about hot flashes, treatment for hot flashes, and calcium supplementation. Associations between variables were explored using the Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test. Results: Eighty-six charts were reviewed. Mean age of the women was 58 years and 79% were postmenopausal. Forty-two (49%) of women had hot flashes and 18 (21%) had night sweats. Thirty-one (36%) were treated for hot flashes. Treatment included selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (n = 19), clonidine (n = 7), Bellergal-S® (n = 8), sleep-aid (n = 7), and other (n = 5). Calcium supplementation was recorded in 31%. Of women with hot flashes, 44% took calcium supplements; of women without hot flashes, 18% took calcium supplements (Chi-square P = 0.02). Conclusion: Hot flashes were recorded in 49% of this group of primarily postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Women with hot flashes were more likely to be taking calcium supplements. Further exploration of the association between hot flashes and calcium supplementation is warranted. © 2010 Kimmick et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.

Duke Scholars

Published In

International Journal of Women's Health

DOI

EISSN

1179-1411

Publication Date

September 28, 2010

Volume

2

Issue

1

Start / End Page

291 / 294

Related Subject Headings

  • 4204 Midwifery
  • 3215 Reproductive medicine
  • 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
  • 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
 

Citation

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Kimmick, G., Broadwater, G., & Vitolins, M. (2010). Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use. International Journal of Women’s Health, 2(1), 291–294. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S12335
Kimmick, G., G. Broadwater, and M. Vitolins. “Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use.” International Journal of Women’s Health 2, no. 1 (September 28, 2010): 291–94. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S12335.
Kimmick G, Broadwater G, Vitolins M. Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use. International Journal of Women’s Health. 2010 Sep 28;2(1):291–4.
Kimmick, G., et al. “Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use.” International Journal of Women’s Health, vol. 2, no. 1, Sept. 2010, pp. 291–94. Scopus, doi:10.2147/IJWH.S12335.
Kimmick G, Broadwater G, Vitolins M. Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and an association with calcium supplement use. International Journal of Women’s Health. 2010 Sep 28;2(1):291–294.

Published In

International Journal of Women's Health

DOI

EISSN

1179-1411

Publication Date

September 28, 2010

Volume

2

Issue

1

Start / End Page

291 / 294

Related Subject Headings

  • 4204 Midwifery
  • 3215 Reproductive medicine
  • 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
  • 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis