Are older breast carcinoma survivors willing to take hormone replacement therapy?
GROUND: Breast carcinoma survivors are the largest segment of the expanding cancer survivor community. As a result, there has been increasing discussion of the safety and efficacy of hormone replacement therapy for women with a past history of breast carcinoma. Little is known about the willingness of older breast carcinoma survivors to accept hormone replacement therapy for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and urinary incontinence) or for reduction in the risk of serious heart disease or osteoporotic hip fracture. METHODS: A structured decision analysis interview was conducted, in which visual aids were used to describe therapy and hypothetical risks of breast carcinoma recurrence. Subjects were presented with a series of scenarios in which a hypothetical woman might be experiencing one of several menopausal symptoms or might have a reduction in the risk of serious heart disease or osteoporotic hip fracture. RESULTS: Thirty-nine disease fre
