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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2022; 11(01): 009-013
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739187
Original Article
Breast Cancer

Real-World Breast Cancer Patient Follow-Up Practices by Medical Oncologists in India—A Survey Report

Autor*innen

  • Amol Patel

    1   Department of Medicine, Oncology Centre, Indian Naval Hospital Ship, Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

  • Vineet Govinda Gupta

    2   Department of Medical Oncology, Artemis Hospitals, Gurgaon, Haryana, India

  • Bhupesh Guleria 

    3   Malignant Diseases Treatment Centre, Command Hospital (SC), Pune, Maharashtra, India

  • Chandan K. Das 

    4   Department of Medical Oncology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India

  • Prashant Mehta

    5   Department of Medical Oncology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India

  • Kaushik Mahadevapura Ramegowda

    6   Department of Medical Oncology, Malignant Diseases Treatment Centre, Army Hospital Research & Referral, New Delhi, India
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Abstract

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Amol Patel

Background In India, breast cancer patients' post-treatment follow-up practices are not known. We did this survey to understand how the breast cancer patients are followed-up and tried to explore the challenges associated with it.

Methods We conducted a survey-based study among Indian oncologists. Seven questions were framed pertaining to follow-up practices. Answers were provided in the form of multiple options. Google forms platform was used. Survey was circulated through social media apps and through mail. We sought suggestions and opinions to address the challenges from participants.

Results A total of 158 medical oncologists responded to this survey. 10% were not aware that only history and clinical examination are the scientific recommendations for follow-up. Ninety percent of the medical oncologists felt clinical breast examination as an uncomfortable practice for patients and physicians and 39% ordered a chest X-ray and an ultrasound abdomen. Annual mammogram was ordered by 83%, and blood investigations were recommended by 14% routinely. The majority (49.6%) felt that the absence of a female attendant, physician and patient factors were responsible for nonadherence to clinical breast examination. The DEXA scan was recommended by 84 (53%) medical oncologists regularly for patients on aromatase inhibitors, while 23 (14%) did not recommend it.

Conclusion There is a disparity between scientific recommendations and real-world follow-up practices. A large number of medical oncologists relied on chest X-ray and ultrasound abdomen. There is an unmet need to address this issue.

Keywords

Breast cancer - Follow-up practices - India - Mammography - Survey


Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
05. Februar 2022

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