Treatment of estrogen deficiency symptoms in women surviving breast cancer- Part 6: Executive summary and consensus statement - Proceedings of a conference held at the Boar's Head Inn - Charlottesville, Virginia, September 21-23, 1997

Problem: Several million women worldwide have survived breast cancer but ar e currently advised against the use of estrogen for the management of menop ausal symptoms and for the prevention of early cardiovascular death and ost eoporosis. Consensus Conference: A unique meeting involving international experts and breast cancer survivors was convened to address this problem. Recommendations: Use "tailored treatment strategies, " which avoid the use of estrogens whil e providing its benefits (short and long term), to address individual patie nts' needs. Perform research trials to evaluate estrogens or estrogen alternatives in s elected groups of women in whom the benefits might potentially outweigh the risks. Conduct clinical trials to exploit the highly favorable properties of selec tive estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Forge a "Partneuship for progress " between patient advocate groups and hea lth professionals in order to facilitate research and education about treat ment options. Further develop the "Partnership for Progress " by exploring the establishm ent of a patient-initiated registry to determine what alter-natives or stan dard medical approaches patients are rising to mange estrogen deficiency sy mptoms and to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.