Cancer Australia

The use of hypofractionated radiotherapy in early breast cancer has been identified as a topic for evidence review and guideline recommendation development. The following clinical question was selected as the focus of the systematic literature review: What are the key outcomes associated with different dose fractionation(dosage/scheduling) for radiotherapy treatment of early (invasive) breast cancer? Searches were conducted in EMBASE and Medline (via EMBASE.com) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify citations published between January 2001 and March 2010.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify literature published from January 2007 to August 2010 on the use of bisphosphonates in women with early breast cancer. The review includes 31 full text citations, comprising of four systematic reviews and 27 publications describing 13 randomised controlled trials. The purpose of the systematic review was to inform development of the Recommendations for use of Bisphosphonates in early breast cancer.

The review includes evidence published between 2000 and 2007 about the management and treatment of the axilla in early breast cancer. The purpose of the systematic review was to inform development of the Recommendations for Staging and managing the axilla in early (operable) breast cancer.

Frequently asked questions about the use of risk-reducing medication for women at increased risk of breast cancer due to family history

This clinical practice guideline includes statements and recommendations based on available, high-level evidence about the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of women with early (operable) breast cancer. The guideline aims to provide health professionals with information designed to assist in making management recommendations for patient outcomes. These guidelines will inform the development of information specifically for consumers about early breast cancer, including treatment options.

This clinical practice guideline includes statements and recommendations based on available high-level evidence about axillary staging and management in women with early (operable) breast cancer. The guideline aims to provide health professionals with information to assist in making management recommendations for improved patient outcomes.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify literature published between January 2003 and April 2010 on risk management strategies for women at high risk of ovarian cancer. Risk management strategies include surveillance, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), tubal ligation and chemoprevention with the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). The purpose of the systematic review was to inform development of the Recommendations for management of women at high risk of ovarian cancer.

This guideline includes statements and recommendations based on available, high-level evidence about the use of bisphosphonates in women with advanced breast cancer. The guideline provides health professionals with information designed to help them make management recommendations for improved patient outcomes. The guideline, funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, has been endorsed by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, and the Faculty of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify literature published from January 2007 to April 2010 on the use of bisphosphonates in women with advanced breast cancer. The review identified six full text citations (including one meta-analysis and five randomised controlled trials), eight guidelines and three abstracts of interest from randomised controlled trials. The purpose of the systematic review was to inform development of the Recommendations for use of bisphosphonates for advanced breast cancer.

Full report on the audit of multidisciplinary cancer care in Australia. The audit identifies impediments to the national uptake of multidisciplinary care for cancer treatment planning and makes recommendations to improve the uptake and implementation of multidisciplinary cancer care. The full report includes the detailed methodology and results of the audit.

A 4-page summary brochure summarising key results and recommendations arising from the report Multidisciplinary cancer care: a national audit 2006.

Summary report on the audit of multidisciplinary cancer care in Australia. The summary report provides full discussion, conclusions and recommendations of the audit alongside an overview of the key results.

There have been a number of proposed advantages for follow-up care after treatment for early breast cancer, including early detection of a recurrence or new primary breast cancer, monitoring of treatment-related toxicities and provision of psychosocial support.

Previous clinical practice guidelines from National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC)** were published in 2001 which included information on follow-up care after treatment of breast cancer. National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)* undertook a systematic review of literature published between January 2000 and January 2008 to update these guidelines. Many papers have been published on this topic during this time however a limited number of studies were identified that were considered high quality evidence, such as randomised controlled trials.

** In February 2008, National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC), incorporating the Ovarian Cancer Program, changed its name to National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC). In July 2011, NBOCC amalgamated with Cancer Australia to form a single national agency, Cancer Australia, to provide leadership in cancer control and improve outcomes for Australians affected by cancer.

Report from National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* and Victorian Cancer Registry reporting on the development and testing of a means of collecting Tumour, Node and Metastases (TNM) stage information for breast cancer by population based cancer registries. Includes an evaluation of the accuracy and completeness of the resulting TNM data.

This guide for health professionals has been revised and includes management options for women at increased risk of breast cancer due to family history. To assess familial risk of breast or ovarian cancer, with additional family history scenarios not included in this guide, visit the online familial assessment tool (FRABOC).

This workshop module aims to provide health professionals with an understanding of best practice relating to the management of secondary lymphoedema.

This resource is designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It has been developed to support Health Workers to run a Well Women Workshop to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with the information they should know about breast changes and breast screening to encourage and enable women to be proactive about breast health.

The Report to the Nation - Breast Cancer 2010 provides a snapshot of the most up-to-date information on incidence, mortality and survival for breast cancer in Australia.

A total of 4,979 Australian women with early invasive breast cancer were treated by breast surgeons participating in the National Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA) in 2008, the majority of whom were full members of the Breast Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Details of these cancers and of their management are described in this report by age at diagnosis, treatment centre location, and referral source. In situ lesions, and invasive cancers recorded by the NBCA among New Zealand women, are not addressed.

This clinical practice guideline, based on high-level evidence, provides clinicians with guidance about the use of chemotherapy in the management of women with advanced breast cancer. The guideline, funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, has been endorsed by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the Faculty of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

This summary is designed to assist general pracitioners (GPs) in managing aspects of follow-up care and support for women following completion of active treatment for early breast cancer. It is based on clinical practice guideline Recommendations for follow-up of women with early breast cancer.

Synoptic breast imaging report including imaging clasification (1-5) desktop card.

A resource for clinicians to support discussions with women diagnosed with DCIS to improve their understanding about their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and support.

A clinical practice guideline developed by NBOCC*. This document supplements guideline recommendation 25 about follow-up care contained in the Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Early Breast Cancer, 2nd edition 2001.

This information has been developed to support a discussion with a woman concerned about her family history and covers surveillance for ovarian cancer for women at high or potentially high risk.

A total of 2,474 Australian women with early invasive breast cancer which were treated by breast surgeons participating in the National Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA) in 2006 were analysed for this report. The majority of participating surgeons were full members of the Breast Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). These cases represented invasive breast cancers entered in the RACS NBCA database to August 2007. Details of these cancers and of their management are described in this report by age at diagnosis, treatment centre location, and referral source. Invasive breast cancers recorded by the NBCA among New Zealand women are not addressed.

This information covers screening for ovarian cancer i.e. the testing of women at population risk who have no symptoms that might be ovarian cancer. It has been developed to support discussion with a woman about screening for ovarian cancer.

A tool for managing distress.

The distress thermometer is on page 10 of this document made available by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (www.nccn.org). Registration is required to access their document.

Other documents in this resource:

• Psychosocial care referral explanatory notes (PCRG)
• Psychosocial care referral checklist (PCRG-2)

This document is the appendix to Psychosocial factors and the risk of developing breast cancer.

A full report on the National Multidisciplinary Care (MDC) Demonstration Project, National Profile Study of Multidisciplinary Care and Observational Study of Multidisciplinary Care. (368 pages)

A 61 page summary (MDS) of the full report is also available.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* has announced the release of its report Breast cancer risk factors: a review of the evidence, an up-to-date review of epidemiological studies about risk factors for breast cancer, including gender, age, family history, place of residence, hormone levels, lifestyle factors, medical history and environmental factors.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)* developed these breast cancer specific data items for clinical cancer registration and data dictionary definitions to facilitate comparative analysis and, where appropriate, data pooling. The data dictionary definitions were developed through an NBOCC* multidisciplinary working group, in consultation with key stakeholders, and are drawn from data dictionary definitions in key datasets already in use across Australia. (54 page document)

A total of 4,979 Australian women with early invasive breast cancer were treated by breast surgeons participating in the National Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA) in 2007, the majority of whom were full members of the Breast Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Details of these cancers and of their management are described in this report by age at diagnosis, treatment centre location, and referral source. In situ lesions, and invasive cancers recorded by the NBCA among New Zealand women, are not addressed.

This new resource, including the Risk of Malignancy Index, provides information to assist clinicians identify those women who should be referred to a gynaecological oncologist

This summary is designed to help general practitioners (GPs) answer patients’ questions about sentinel node biopsy and manage follow-up care for women who have had the procedure.

This guide for pathologists, surgeons, radiologists and oncologists has been updated to reflect the latest evidence and consensus opinion in relation to the handling, examination and reporting of invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Includes updated versions of synoptic reports for invasive carcinoma and DCIS.

See also:

• PAT2
• PAT3
• PAT4

Synoptic report card as part of  PAT-1 The pathology reporting of breast cancer: a guide (3rd edition) (952.96 kB)

Synoptic report card.

Synoptic reporting of ductal carcinoma insitu form, as part of  PAT-1 The pathology reporting of breast cancer: a guide (3rd edition) (952.96 kB)

Synoptic reporting of invasive carcinoma form, as part of  PAT-1 The pathology reporting of breast cancer: a guide (3rd edition) (952.96 kB)

4 page summary brochure supplement

A clinical practice guideline developed by NBOCC*. This document supplements guideline recommendations 22, 24a and 24b about the use of endocrine therapy in Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Advanced Breast Cancer, 2nd edition, 2001 (page 9).

A guide for health professionals. Multi-Disciplinary Care principles for advanced disease are based on the Principles of Multidisciplinary Care developed by the NBCC** and adapted to reflect the role of MDC teams in the advanced disease setting.

** In February 2008, National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC), incorporating the Ovarian Cancer Program, changed its name to National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC). In July 2011, NBOCC amalgamated with Cancer Australia to form a single national agency, Cancer Australia, to provide leadership in cancer control and improve outcomes for Australians affected by cancer.

A clinical practice guideline developed by NBOCC*. This document supplements guideline recommendation 9 about axillary node dissection (page 8) and information about sentinel node biopsy (page 57) contained in the Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer, 2nd edition 2001.

A clinical practice guideline developed by NBOCC*. This document supplements systemic adjuvant therapy guideline recommendations 12-22 (pp 8-10), specially those about chemotherapy regimens contained in the Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer, 2nd edition 2001.

The guide has been developed to support Health professionals in the care of men and women who develop lymphoedema after treatment for cancer.

A systematic review has been undertaken to identify evidence for the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before cytoreductive surgery is performed. Twenty-eight articles were eligible for inclusion in the review (two systematic reviews and 24 comparative trials). 34 page document.

Review of research evidence on secondary lymphoedema: Incidence, prevention, risk factors and treatment

Notes to assist health professionals in completing the Psychosocial care referral checklist.

Other documents in this resource:

• Psychosocial care referral checklist (PCRG-2)
• Distress thermometer (PCRG-3)

Other documents in this resource:

• Psychosocial care referral explanatory notes (PCRG)
• Distress thermometer (PCRG-3)