Oral Endocrine Therapy Nonadherence, Adverse Effects, Decisional Support, and Decisional Needs in Women With Breast Cancer.

Background: Oral endocrine therapy (OET) such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors reduces recurrence and mortality for the 75% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a diagnosis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Because many BCSs decide not take OET as recommended because of adverse effects, understanding BCSs' decisional supports and needs is foundational to supporting quality OET decision making about whether to adhere to OET.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine literature pertaining to OET nonadherence and adverse effects using the Ottawa Decision Support Framework categories of decisional supports and decisional needs because these factors potentially influence OET use.

Laboratory and ambulatory evaluation of vasomotor symptom monitors from the Menopause Strategies Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health network.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate monitors for assessing vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in laboratory and ambulatory settings before use in the Menopause Strategies Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health network clinical trials testing VMS therapies.

Methods: This was a three-phase study. Phase 1 included laboratory testing of the Freedman and prototype Bahr Monitor, phase 2 included laboratory testing of the commercial Bahr Monitor and Biolog, and phase 3 included ambulatory testing of the commercial Bahr Monitor and Biolog.

Evaluating the role of serotonin on neuropsychological function after breast cancer using acute tryptophan depletion.

Although cognitive dysfunction is a prevalent and disruptive problem for many breast cancer survivors (BCSs), little research has examined its etiology. One potential mechanism that remains to be explored is serotonin. Serotonin has been implicated in normal and dysfunctional cognitive processes, and serotonin levels are significantly affected by estrogen withdrawal, a common side effect of breast cancer treatment.

Evaluating the role of serotonin in hot flashes after breast cancer using acute tryptophan depletion.

Objective: Among women with breast cancer, hot flashes are frequent, severe, and bothersome symptoms that can negatively impact quality of life and compromise compliance with life-saving medications (eg, tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors). Clinicians' abilities to treat hot flashes are limited due to inadequate understanding of physiological mechanisms involved in hot flashes. Using an acute tryptophan depletion paradigm, we tested whether alterations in central serotonin levels were involved in the induction of hot flashes in women with breast cancer.