While we already know that hot flashes and other things of the sort usually go hand in hand with breast cancer, we still tend to ignore them as signs. One study has shown that ignoring this kind of thing can be quite devastating and everyone needs to be aware of it.
A quite recent study carried out on a large-scale has recently concluded that women with persistent VMS (vasomotor symptoms) are much more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who have not experienced any VMS at all. These findings were published in The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and provides us with the results we have all been needing on a more consistent level. This study went over women who were participating in the Women’s Health Initiative trials and covered over 25,000 people in total.
These women were part of this study for almost eighteen years and followed up with quite frequently. For those who might be a bit confused, VMS consists of several different symptoms those being things like hot flashes and night sweats. This study showed that those with VMS had a higher breast cancer incident than others and while mortality was higher in those with persistent VMS it is important to note that the difference was not statistically significant. This meaning that VMS does not influence whether or not someone is going to be able to recover.
The results/conclusion of this study was written as follows:
Through 17.9 years (median) follow-up, 1,399 incident breast cancers were seen. Women with persistent VMS (VMS median duration 10+ years) (n = 9,715), compared to women with never VMS (n = 15,784), had a higher breast cancer incidence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.27). While breast cancer-specific mortality was higher in women with persistent VMS (HR 1.33 95% CI 0.88-2.02), the difference was not statistically significant. Persistent VMS status had no influence on breast cancer overall survival (HR 1.02 95% CI 0.81-1.29).
Women with persistent VMS are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women who never experienced VMS, but not more likely to die from breast cancer.
While more studies will need to be done on this does set us off in the right direction. To read more on this study yourself click here. Persistent hot flashes are not something you should overlook. When things get to the point where they are not stopping you should see someone. Your health matters, when it comes to things like this please don’t hesitate to take things into your own hands.
To learn more about breast cancer and some of the symptoms associated please check out the video below. Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world today and the more we know about it the better. What do you think about all of this? I for one cannot wait to hear more on the topic.
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