More recent evidence does not change recommendations for mammograms and other forms of patient care after primary treatment of breast cancer

Khatcheressian J, Hurley P, Bantuget E, et al. Breast cancer follow-up and management after primary treatment: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31:961-65.

Review question

Do recommendations on the follow up after treatment of breast cancer need updating?

Background

In 1997, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published evidence-based guidelines on the follow up of patients who had been treated for breast cancer.

Clinical practice guidelines are best-practice recommendations for doctors. They focus on the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. They are recommendations but do not replace the doctor’s professional judgment.

ASCO previously updated its guidelines in 1999 and 2006.

Practice guidelines are also available from other national and international organizations.

How the review was done

This summary is based on a review of 14 new publications by the ASCO Update Committee.

They included 9 systematic reviews and 5 randomized controlled trials published between March 2006 and March 2012.

Outcomes were breast cancer-free survival, overall survival, health quality of life, reduced side effects, and cost effectiveness of follow-up visits and testing.

The purpose was to determine whether the 2006 ASCO guidelines needed updating.

What the researchers found

No need to update any of the 2006 recommendations:

Regular history, physical exam, and mammography for breast cancer follow up

After breast-conserving surgery, mammograms should be done

Tests NOT recommended for regular follow-up care if no reappearing symptoms

Conclusion

New evidence does not change recommendations from the 2006 ASCO guidelines for follow up and management after the first treatment of breast cancer.