Three Different Programs of Paced Breathing in Treating Hot Flashes in Women

OBJECTIVES: * To assess feasibility and obtain initial estimates of efficacy of three different programs of paced breathing (15 minutes once a day at 6 breaths/minute vs 15 minutes twice a day at 6 breaths/minute vs 10 minutes once a day at 14 breaths/minute) on the frequency and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors or patients not preferring to take hormones because of concern for breast cancer. * To assess feasibility and obtain initial estimates of efficacy of three different programs of paced breathing on mood states, fatigue, sleep quality, and blood pressure measurement in breast cancer survivors or patients not preferring to take hormones because of concern for breast cancer. OUTLINE: Patients are stratified by age (18-49 vs ≥ 50), frequency of hot flashes per day (\< 4 vs 4-9 vs ≥ 10), and current tamoxifen, raloxifene, or aromatase inhibitor treatment (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients practice paced breathing for 15 minutes once daily, 6 breaths/min, 5-7 days weekly, following an instructional compact disc (CD), for 8 weeks. * Arm II: Patients practice paced breathing for 15 minutes twice daily, 6 breaths/min, 5-7 days weekly, following an instructional CD, for 8 weeks. * Arm III: Patients practice paced breathing for 10 minutes once daily, 14 breaths /min, 5-7 days weekly, following an instructional CD, for 8 weeks. All patients complete daily hot flash diaries, keep a blood pressure log, and complete the following questionnaires: Symptom Experience Diary, Profile of Mood States, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.