Factors as to Whether Breast Cancer Patients Are Able to Conserve Their Breasts
Accessibility of radiation oncology physicians and treatment services are a factor as to whether breast cancer patients are able to conserve their breasts, according to a new study presented November 5, 2001, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
The rates of breast-conserving therapy (BCT) vary based on geography, physician and patient biases. Lower BCT rates are seen in the South and at non-specialty care centers. In this study, the researchers compared the pathology database of a community hospital prior to and after the opening of an on-site radiation therapy consultation and treatment facility to identify patients who had undergone breast surgery for breast malignancy during the years 1994 to 1995, prior to the on-site clinic opening, and 1997 to 1998, after the clinic opened. The pathologic information was reviewed to determine whether the patient underwent a mastectomy or BCT.
For 1994 to 1995, before a radiation therapy facility was available in the community, of the 282 patients diagnosed and treated for breast cancers, mastectomy was performed on 201 patients (71 percent) while 81 patients were treated with BCT (29 percent). For 1997 to 1998, after an on-site radiation therapy facility was available, of 304 patients diagnosed and treated for breast cancers, 171 patients were treated with mastectomy (56 percent) while 133 received BCT (44 percent).
"There was an increased utilization of BCT at a community hospital following the opening of an on-site radiation therapy facility," said Carol Hahn, M.D., the principal investigator in the study. "As there were no known changes in demographics or surgical staffing during the evaluated period, the effect can be ascribed to the accessibility of an on-site radiation treatment unit and an active presence of radiation oncology."
If you would like a copy of the abstract or to speak to the lead author of the study, Carol Hahn, M.D., please call Katherine Egan Bennett at the ASTRO Press Room at the Moscone Convention Center at (415) 978-3717 or [email protected]. Alternatively, you can contact Lesley Nevers at ASTRO's headquarters at (703) 227-0141 or [email protected] for more information.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 6,700 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the society's goals are to advance the scientific base of radiation therapy and to extend the benefits of radiation therapy to those with cancer and other diseases.
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