Laser and radiofrequency for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionBreast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience more severe symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) than healthy postmenopausal women. As hormonal therapy with oestrogen should be avoided in BCSs, finding an effective and safe therapy to address vaginal symptoms and sexual dysfun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ open 2023-11, Vol.13 (11), p.e075841-e075841
Main Authors: Serquiz, Nicoli, Sarmento, Ayane Cristine Alves, Almeida, Natalie Rios, Nobre, Maria Luisa, Medeiros, Kleyton Santos, Oliveira, Ronnier de, Costa, Ana Paula Ferreira, Gonçalves, Ana Katherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aging
Breast cancer
breast tumours
Cancer therapies
Carbon dioxide
Clinical trials
Collagen
Contraindications
Energy
genitourinary medicine
gynaecological oncology
Intervention
Lasers
Menopause
Meta-analysis
Metastasis
Missing data
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Physiology
Quality of life
Questionnaires
Sexual disorders
Software
Survivor
Systematic review
Vagina
Womens health
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Summary:IntroductionBreast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience more severe symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) than healthy postmenopausal women. As hormonal therapy with oestrogen should be avoided in BCSs, finding an effective and safe therapy to address vaginal symptoms and sexual dysfunction is urgently needed. Physical methods may be promising alternatives for the specificities of this group of women. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of physical methods (laser and radiofrequency) for treating GSM in BCSs.Methods and analysisThe PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov databases will be searched. A search strategy was developed to retrieve clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of any physical method (laser or radiofrequency) used for GSM in BCSs. No date or language restrictions will be imposed. Two authors will independently select studies by title, abstract and full text to meet the inclusion criteria. Data will be extracted, and the risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). Review Manager 5.4.1 will be used for data synthesis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess the strength of the evidence.Ethics and disseminationThis study reviews the published data; thus, obtaining ethical approval is unnecessary. The findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023387680.
ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075841