Proposal for a gold standard for cosmetic evaluation after breast conserving therapy: Results from the St George and Wollongong Breast Boost trial.

Introduction: Breast cosmesis is an important endpoint of breast conserving therapy (BCT), but a gold standard method of its evaluation is not yet established. The St. George and Wollongong Randomised Breast Boost trial used five different methods of cosmetic assessment, including both subjective and objective, to comprehensively evaluate the cosmetic outcome of the trial patients.

Breast irradiation causes pallor in the nipple-areolar complex in women with Celtic skin type (result from the St. George and Wollongong randomised breast boost trial).

Introduction: The nipple-areolar complex (NAC) has special histological properties with higher melanocyte concentration than breast skin. To date, there are no data describing the late effects on the NAC following breast-conserving therapy (BCT). This study evaluated colour changes in the NAC in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy after 5 years.

Radiotherapy breast boost with reduced whole-breast dose is associated with improved cosmesis: the results of a comprehensive assessment from the St. George and Wollongong randomized breast boost trial.

Purpose: To evaluate comprehensively the effect of a radiotherapy boost on breast cosmetic outcomes after 5 years in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery.

Methods: The St. George and Wollongong trial (NCT00138814) randomized 688 patients with histologically proven Tis-2, N 0-1, M0 carcinoma to the control arm of 50 Gy in 25 fractions (342 patients) and the boost arm of 45 Gy in 25 fractions to the whole breast followed by a 16 Gy in 8 fraction electron boost (346 patients).

Evaluating key dimensions of the breast care nurse role in Australia.

A survey of women who had surgery for breast cancer during 1997-1998 at The St George Public and St George Private Hospitals identified substantial deficits in information provision, perceived support, and use of available services. Consequently, a breast care nurse (BCN) was appointed for a 12-month trial to assess women's needs and provide emotional support, education, and referral to appropriate services from diagnosis through to completion of treatment, according to evidence-based guidelines set out by the Australian National Breast Cancer Centre. A questionnaire regarding the role of the BCN was sent to 63 women who had surgery at either hospital from September 1999 to January 2000.