The Effect of Omega 3 Fatty Acids on Atrophic Vaginitis in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Effect of Oral Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Atrophic Vaginitis: Preliminary Results in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors.

Chandler Jarvis, Joanne Lester, PhD, CRNP, AOCN, Lisa Yee, MD, Christopher Holloman, PhD, & Deborah Bartholomew, MD.

Breast cancer survivors benefit from cancer treatment with increased disease-free survival, although may experience long-term side effects such as atrophic vaginitis. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapies can cause or exacerbate atrophic symptoms such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and genital itching or irritation. Novel, non-estrogenic agents must be tested to provide safe agents that will relieve symptoms. Oral omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the inflammatory response that negatively affects mucosal tissues and restore tissue integrity and elasticity. This study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the effect of oral omega-3 fatty acids on atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (N=52). Participants were randomized to a daily oral dose (3.5g) of omega 3 vs. a matched placebo for six months. Subjective outcomes measures included monthly self-report questionnaires: Urogenital Atrophy Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Instrument, Menopause Rating Scale, CES-D Depression Scale, and Brief Pain Inventory. Biologic measures were obtained at baseline, 3- and 6-month visits and included vaginal pH, vaginal cytology and serum studies. In addition, subjective painful responses and the appearance of the genitalia were assessed by the study gynecologist. A preliminary analysis was conducted on 75% of the sample to measure subjective painful response items and genital inflammation with the vaginal examination. Biologic markers from vaginal specimens will be analyzed along with responses to self-report questionnaires from baseline, at 3- and 6-month visits. It is hypothesized that omega 3 fatty acid supplementation will positively affect the vaginal mucosa and subjective atrophic profile.