Effects of Stellate Ganglion Block on Hot Flashes in Hispanic Women With Breast Cancer

Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, VMS) affect up to 65% of breast cancer survivors and negatively impact their quality of life. VMS in Hispanic women are significantly more severe as compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian women. Few effective treatments for VMS are available, especially in the underserved Hispanic and Spanish-speaking populations which is problematic, as Hispanics will comprise 20% of the U.S. population by 2025. Stellate ganglion nerve block (SGB) with local anesthetic, previously performed for chronic pain indications, has shown promise as a potential treatment for menopausal women with VMS in previous clinical trials, but has not been investigated in Hispanic or Spanish-Speaking women with breast cancer in a controlled study.