Alternatives to Estrogen: Open Study Offers Options, Help for Hot Flashes

Women who are having bothersome hot flashes and are looking for a non-estrogen based treatment may be eligible to participate in a research study at St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Macomb Center (SJM-OH, Macomb Center) and St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJHMC). The study will help determine which dose of Citrolapram, an antidepressant, is more helpful in lessening or stopping hot flashes in women. Previous studies have shown anti-depressants to be effective in treating hot flashes.

“Many women experience hot flashes and would like relief, but are concerned about the increased risk for breast cancer caused by hormone replacement therapy,” explained Allen Stawis, MD, medical director of the Webber Cancer Center. “We anticipate that this research will help us find a better alternative to reducing and eliminating hot flashes.”

St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Macomb Center is a component site of the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium Community Clinical Oncology Program, which participates in more than 100 cancer treatment and prevention trials. North Central Cancer Treatment Group is sponsoring this study out of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Michigan Cancer Research Consortium Community Clinical Oncology Program is offering this study.

For more information about this study or other cancer treatment and prevention trials, please call the Clinical Trials Office of St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Macomb Center at (586) 573-5127 or St. John Hospital and Medical Center at (313) 343-3166.

St. John Health is the largest provider of inpatient care in Southeast Michigan and one of the largest employers in metro Detroit. St. John Health provides comprehensive prevention, primary care and advanced treatment programs with more than 125 medical centers, and eight hospitals spanning five counties.