Intended follow up of women with breast cancer at low risk of recurrence and at least 5 years from diagnosis. Issue 4 (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bell, R. J.; Fradkin, P.; Robinson, P. J.; Schwarz, M.; Davis, S. R.
• Is Part Of: Internal medicine journal. Volume 44:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 338
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/imj.12205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-0903

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="imj12205-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Although there is evidence that minimal surveillance is compatible with an optimal outcome in women after early stage breast cancer, little is known of the surveillance that these women receive.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12205-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>To describe the intended clinical follow up and patterns of use of imaging modalities in low‐risk breast cancer survivors who are at least 5 years from diagnosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12205-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Participants in the Bupa Health Foundation Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer Study with stage 1 invasive breast cancer at diagnosis, who had survived free of recurrence or new primary breast cancer for at least 5 years, provided information for this analysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12205-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The most common choice of physician follow up was with one doctor only (54%). Within this group, the most frequent choice was a general practitioner (GP) (63%) followed by medical oncologist (23%). Thirty‐five per cent of women said that they intended to consult two doctors and within this group, the most common combination was a GP and a medical oncologist (45%). This was despite two out of three women reporting being advised that there was no need to consult a medical oncologist. Over 90% of women reported having a mammogram with, or without, breast ultrasound in the previous 12 months. There was a low rate of use of other imaging tests in the absence of clear indications.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12205-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Minimising unnecessary medical consultations by women with breast cancer at low risk of recurrence 5 years from diagnosis will require education about the benefits of a minimal surveillance strategy.</p> </sec> </abstract>