In one study, young breast cancer survivors reported skin sensitivity, vaginal dryness, genital pain, premature menopause, fertility issues and extreme fatigue.

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Many chemotherapy treatments, and radiotherapy aimed at the pelvis, have the side-effect of accelerating this apoptosis, often propelling younger patients into premature menopause.

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Chemotherapy can induce premature menopause, and a commonly prescribed medication for breast cancer patients called tamoxifen also is known to cause hot flashes.

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This is particularly true for young women with cancer, since the radiation and chemotherapy required to kill the disease also damage their ovaries and can plunge them into premature menopause.

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Monique Francis, from the Daisy Network in the UK, which supports women who have been through a premature menopause, said the discovery could help women who have no idea why they suffered a premature menopause.

BBC: Premature menopause 'gene found'