Vag E2 After Breast CA: Nah or Yeah?

With improvements in the screening & treatment of Breast Ca, the number of female survivors continues to rise, with a reported 5-year survival rate of up to 90%. However, several of the systemic treatments for breast cancer, including endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, can result in a new or worsened hypoestrogenic state. Up to 70% of postmenopausal women will develop symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). With an estimated 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US, women’s healthcare providers are on the front lines of addressing survivorship issues, including these hypoestrogenic-related adverse effects of cancer therapies or early menopause. This isn’t simply bothersome vaginal dryness, but this also affects sexual intimacy, and may even be linked to recurrent UTIs. Although nonhormonal vaginal agents are traditionally considered first-line for patients with a history of breast cancer, there’s been evolving data on the efficacy and safety of vaginal, low-dose estrogen therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors. In this episode, we will highlight pivotal pieces of data starting from 2021 and ending with a new publication just released on August 3, 2023 revealing very impactful and clinically applicable insights reffing vaginal E2 in breast cancer patients.