A United Kingdom National Survey of Breast Surgeons on Primary Endocrine Therapy of Early Operable Breast Cancer

Primary endocrine therapy as a treatment for older women with operable breast cancer – A comparison of randomised controlled trial and cohort study findings

“…A recent questionnaire study in the UK demonstrated that the use of PET remains widespread in the UK, with 93% of 228 UK surgeons admitting to using it in early operable breast cancer, mostly for patients deemed unfit for surgery; however they also showed that 70% of respondents underestimated the average life-expectancy of an 80-year old women [10].…”

“…This can be seen in the recent UK wide National Mastectomy and Reconstruction Audit, where the overall mortality rate was 0.26% [9]. However this may reflect the fact that the less fit, frailer patients were managed with PET as this remains a widespread option for those considered at higher risk of surgery with 93% of UK surgeons using this option for some patients [10]. Several recent studies have found that up to 40% of patients over 70 years old are treated with PET in the UK [11,12].…”