Some side effects so severely affect the quality of life that some women discontinue the treatment for their breast cancer too early, said Niravath. That could make them more likely to have recurrent disease. She and her colleagues hope that a new vaginal ring that delivers estrogen therapy directly may improve the problems of vaginal dryness without increasing the risk of breast cancer. The ring promotes only minimal absorption of estrogen, she said. In the study, breast cancer survivors with vaginal dryness will be assigned at random to receive either the vaginal estrogen ring or a vaginal moisturizer, the usual treatment for the condition. They will then determine which treatment works best with the fewest side effects. The study is important because it could enable patient to continue their preventive treatments longer. “Women who have had estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer may continue taking endocrine therapy to prevent recurrence for up to five years,” said Niravath. “This medicine is known to be highly effective in prolonging breast cancer survival.” Yet as many as half of women taking a type of medicine called an aromatase inhibitor as a preventive to prevent recurrence of breath cancer discontinue the drug by the third year, main because of side effects, she said. “Improving symptoms of vaginal dryness may be a very effective method of improving compliance issues among breast cancer survivors, and in return continuing to maintain and improve on survival rates,” Niravath said. Breast cancer survivors interested in enrolling must be taking an aromatase inhibitor (Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin) and have vaginal dryness, as manifested by itching, discomfort, recurrent urinary tract infection or pain with intercourse. For more information on the study or to enroll, contact Claudette Foreman at 713-798-7315 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .