Table 3 Guidelines issued in the united kingdom for the follow-up of patients with breast cancer
Organisation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
The Association of Breast Surgery at the British Association of Surgical Oncology | • Patients on active treatment may be followed up until such treatment has been completed • High risk patients may be followed up more closely with joint care by surgeons and oncologists according to local protocols • Data about long term follow-up is essential in monitoring clinical outcomes • Patients to be followed up for 5 years • Routine mammography every 1 to 2 years for 10 years after diagnosis |
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) | • These guidelines state that there is insufficient clinical evidence to determine the optimal interval of clinical examination. They suggest that a "pragmatic schedule" should be adopted, for example, every 6 months for 2 years and then annually thereafter. • For mammographic follow-up, in a breast which has been conserved, then this should be performed at least every 2 years and at intervals of not less than 1 year. For the contralateral breast mammography should be carried out every 1 – 2 years. |
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) | • Guidelines state that there should be a "limited" follow-up for 2 – 3 years and should be agreed by "local networks". This would not normally exceed 3 years unless patients were in clinical trials. • The guidelines state that local networks should agree evidence-based policy for the frequency of mammographic follow up |
The Royal College of Radiologists | • Guidelines recommend that mammography is carried out at least every 2 years and not more than annually |
The Clinical Outcomes Group, Department of Health | • Recommends that mammography is carried out annually for 5 years and then every two years after that |