Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Women’s who suffer from chronic peri- and post-menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, so called vasomotor symptoms or VMS, lasting close to 10 years or longer have a 13% higher risk of developing breast cancer.  This the conclusion of a Women’s Health Initiative analysis of more than 25,000 women 50 years of age and older who never had any menopausal hormone therapy and who were followed for a median of 18 years.   The good news is that, despite the higher incidence of breast cancer, those with persisting VMS did not have a less favorable outcome when treated for their cancers.  They were just as likely to become breast cancer survivors as women free of enduring hot flashes and night sweats.   If you or yours are suffering from these persisting menopausal VMS symptoms, increase your surveillence for breast cancer.  Don’t miss an opportunity for breast self-examination and be certain to follow a consistent mammography schedule. Vidcast: https://youtu.be/LwGqm2BPGBg   hotflashes #nightsweats #menopause #vms #