Nature and severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on quality of life and sexual function in cancer survivors compared with women without a cancer history

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: After cancer treatment, troublesome menopausal symptoms are common but poorly understood. Using standardized instruments, we measured differences in symptom nature, severity, impact on quality of life, and sexual function between cancer survivors and noncancer participants. METHODS: The Menopause Symptoms After Cancer Clinic operates within the general menopause service in a large women's hospital, providing menopause advice and management to women with menopausal symptoms and a cancer history. Menopausal symptoms were recorded using the Greene Climacteric Scale, past-week symptoms were recorded using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy breast cancer subscale and endocrine..