The reality in the follow-up of breast cancer survivors: survey of Korean Breast Cancer Society

Abstract

PurposeFollow-up after primary treatment for breast cancer is an important component of survivor care and various international guidelines exist for the surveillance. However, little is known about current actual practice patterns of physicians whether they adhere to or deviate from recommended guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine how physicians follow-up their patients after primary treatment for breast cancer in Korea.MethodsA questionnaire survey with 34 questions in 4 categories was e-mailed to the members of Korean Breast Cancer Society from November to December 2013. Respondents were asked how they use follow-up modalities after primary treatment of breast cancer and we compared the survey results with present guidelines.ResultsOf the 129 respondents, 123 (95.3%) were breast surgeons. The most important consideration in follow-up was tumor stage. History taking, physical examinations, and mammography were conducted in similar frequency recommended by other guidelines while breast ultrasonography was performed more often. The advanced imaging studies such as CT, MRI, and bone scan, which had been recommended to be conducted only if necessary, were also examined more frequently. Regular screenings for secondary malignancy were performed in 38 respondents (29.5%). Five years later after primary treatment, almost the whole respondents (94.6%) themselves monitored their patients.ConclusionA majority of respondents have been performed more intensive follow-up modalities in comparison with present guidelines and less frequently screenings for secondary malignancy. For optimal follow-up of breast cancer survivors, tailored delivery system should be considered.

Nationwide Analysis of Treatment Patterns for Korean Breast Cancer Survivors Using National Health Insurance Service Data

“…The Study of Multi-disciplinARy Teamwork of breast cancer survivorSHIP (SMARTSHIP) Group, 20 supported by the KBCS, works in collaboration with doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, and researchers in the field of humanics. With this foundational study, the SMARTSHIP Group now is planning to launch nationwide cohort studies using the NHIS data, including secondary cancer development, late effects of breast cancer treatment, pregnancy and childbirth issues, depression in breast cancer survivors, and the influence of metabolic syndrome on the occurrence and prognosis of breast cancer.…”

Nomogram for accurate prediction of breast and axillary pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in node positive patients with breast cancer

“…The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly used for patients with operable breast cancer to allow for the use of more minimal surgery [12]. To avoid axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or mastectomy, it is preferable to have a sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgical procedure or breast conserving surgery (BCS), which results in fewer instances of problems and lower morbidity [1345].…”

Optimisation of breast cancer patients' follow-up - potential way to improve cancer care in transitional countries

“…; Kim et al . ). Higher adherence to current guidelines has been recently reported in Australia (Bell et al .…”

“…Women on adjuvant endocrine therapy, according to Croatian guidelines, are counselled to have bone densitometry every 2 years (Tomek et al 2012). In most publications, the use of non-recommended surveillance procedures for early breast cancer patients has been reported (Hahn et al 2013;Kim et al 2015). Higher adherence to current guidelines has been recently reported in Australia (Bell et al 2013(Bell et al , 2014.…”