Unfortunately, many women experience menopausal symptoms after treatment for breast cancer. This can occur naturally or develop as a result of menopausal women stopping PHT. Chemotherapy can also cause early menopause in premenopausal women.

In the past, doctors have offered PHT after breast cancer treatment to women suffering from severe symptoms because early studies had shown no harm. However, in early 2004 a well-designed study (the HABITS study) found that breast cancer survivors taking PHT were much more likely to develop a new or recurrent breast cancer than women who were not taking the drugs. For this reason, most doctors now feel that for women previously treated for breast cancer, taking PHT would be unwise.

Women should consider discussing with their doctors alternatives to PHT to help with specific menopausal symptoms. Some doctors have suggested that phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances from certain plant sources, such as soy products) may be safer than the estrogens used in PHT. However, there is not enough information available on phytoestrogens to evaluate their safety for breast cancer survivors.

Two of the drugs that have proven somewhat effective in treating hot flashes are the antidepressant, Effexor, and a drug called Neurontin. There is, however, recent data showing that some anti-depressants can interact with tamoxifen and make it less effective. If you are taking tamoxifen and experience hot flashes, you should ask your doctor about any possible interactions between your tamoxifen and any other drugs you may be taking.