Barriers, beliefs and practice patterns for breast cancer reconstruction (Ontario/resources/CCO) Ovarian Cancer and Us OVARIAN CANCER and US Ovarian Cancer and Us

Blog Archives: Nov 2004 - present

#ovariancancers



Special items: Ovarian Cancer and Us blog best viewed in Firefox

Search This Blog

Monday, January 02, 2017

Barriers, beliefs and practice patterns for breast cancer reconstruction (Ontario/resources/CCO)



abstract
 

Highlights

Significant variation exists between specialties for beliefs toward breast reconstruction.
Many believe reconstruction interferes with recurrence detection and delays adjuvant therapy.
Results disagree with Cancer Care Ontario guidelines.
Many believe delays are due to insufficient health care resources in Ontario.

Background

The purpose of this study was to characterize beliefs and practice patterns for breast cancer reconstruction among physicians who treat patients with breast cancer, in order to delineate current clinical practice. This survey was administered prior to Cancer Care Ontario guideline publication.

Method

Survey questions addressed four domains: survival, delayed or obscured recurrence detection, delayed adjuvant therapy, and aesthetics. The survey was administered to 1160 Ontario plastic and general surgeons and radiation and medical oncologists. Data were compared to published guidelines.

Results

The overall response rate was 48%, with 57% of respondents treating breast cancer. Of those treating breast cancer, 75% are affiliated with an academic center. Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is not available to 28%. Autologous reconstruction is thought to interfere with recurrence detection by 23% (oncologists 30%, surgeons 19%, p = 0.04). For patients not expected to require radiation therapy, IBR is not supported by 30%. Autologous IBR is believed to delay delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy by 45% (oncologists 55%, surgeons 41%, p = 0.02). Up to 42% of respondents believe delays in adjuvant therapy delivery following IBR are due to insufficient health care resources (ie. coordinating an oncologic and reconstructive surgeon). Radiation therapy following reconstruction is believed to have negative aesthetic outcomes, and increase the need for revision surgery.

Conclusions

Unfavourable beliefs about certain clinical actions do not align with recent provincial guideline recommendations. Insufficient healthcare resources are perceived to be a significant barrier to IBR and timely care.

0 comments :

Post a Comment

Your comments?

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.