S9626: Megestrol in Treating Hot Flashes Following Treatment for Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of infiltrating breast cancer (T1-3, N0-1, M0) treated with appropriate local and regional therapy Chemotherapy and/or surgery completed At least 10 hot flashes per week OR At least 5 severe or very severe hot flashes per week No prior participation in NCI sponsored breast cancer adjuvant protocol No recurrent or persistent vaginal bleeding If postmenopausal and had any vaginal bleeding within past year, then must have normal endometrial biopsy Hormone receptor status: Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Menopausal status: Pre or postmenopausal Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No history of deep vein thrombosis Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other prior malignancy in past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other adequately treated stage I or II cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Prior hormonal therapy allowed At least 6 months since prior megestrol At least 1 week since prior nonestrogen containing steroid hormones (except tamoxifen) Concurrent tamoxifen allowed only if begun at least 4 months prior to study No other concurrent nonestrogen containing steroid hormones No concurrent estrogen or hormone replacement therapy Radiotherapy: Concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Prior hysterectomy allowed No concurrent surgery Other: Concurrent nonhormonal prescription or nonprescription medications for hot flashes allowed (e.g., clonidine, ergotamine tartrate, vitamin E, or soy)