In another study, Mortimer and her colleagues are determining if Zoloft, an anti-depressant, reduces hot flashes. Mortimer and Linda Peterson, M.D., an instructor in cardiology, are studying the effect of tamoxifen on blood vessels. Some evidence suggests that tamoxifen lowers the risk of dying from stroke and heart disease, similar to estrogens. Peterson has used the laser Doppler to study the effects of estrogens on blood vessels and will use this technique in women taking tamoxifen. Mortimer hopes some of these findings also will benefit women with menopause.
Some people get really miserable because there are few good ways to treat menopause.
I think this is a huge issue, and it's possible some of these findings will help. Mortimer also is working on a study that examines the quality of life of breast cancer patients from a psychosocial standpoint. With funding from a National Institutes of Health grant, Mortimer is looking at where women with breast cancer get support. To find this out, she has organized four focus groups of 10 women each. The women are being followed from diagnosis through the end of treatment.