An international Phase IV field study - psychometric properties of the updated module on assessing quality of life of patients with breast cancer EORTC QLQ-BR42.

Background: The EORTC QLQ-BR23, published in 1996, was one of the first disease-specific questionnaires to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with breast cancer (BC). In the last decades, major changes in BC treatment have occurred, requiring an update of this module. The results of the Phase 1-3 of the study were published in 2019.

Annual versus less frequent mammographic surveillance in people with breast cancer aged 50 years and older in the UK (Mammo-50): a multicentre, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.

Background: The frequency of mammographic surveillance for women after diagnosis of breast cancer varies globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether less than annual mammography was non-inferior in terms of breast cancer-specific survival in women aged 50 years or older.

Methods: Mammo-50 was a multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial of annual versus less frequent mammography (2-yearly after conservation surgery; 3-yearly after a mastectomy) for women aged 50 years or older at initial diagnosis of invasive or non-invasive breast cancer and who were recurrence free 3 years post curative surgery.

Three and twelve-month analysis of the PROM-Q study: comparison of patient-reported outcome measures using the BREAST-Q questionnaire in pre- vs. sub-pectoral implant-based immediate breast reconstruction.

Purpose: Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) is being increasingly performed with implant placed above the pectoral muscle (pre-pectoral), instead of below the pectoral muscle (sub-pectoral). Currently, there is a lack of comparative data on clinical and patient-perceived outcomes between pre- vs. sub-pectoral IBR.

A pilot randomised controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for medication decision-making and quality of life in women with breast cancer: The ACTION trial.

Objective: Non-adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in women with breast cancer is common and associated with medication side-effects and distress. We co-designed an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention (ACTION) to enhance medication decision-making and quality of life (QoL). We undertook a pilot trial of ACTION to inform the feasibility of a phase III trial, and to examine intervention acceptability.

The MARECA (national study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcomes) study: protocol for a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Background: Despite a UK 5-year breast cancer survival rate of 86.6%, patients may develop breast cancer recurrence within the same breast after breast conserving surgery, as well as in the remaining skin or chest wall after mastectomy or in the ipsilateral lymph glands. These recurrences, collectively termed locoregional recurrence (LRR), occur in around 8% of patients within 10 years of their original diagnosis.

Managing chronic pain after breast cancer treatments: are web-based interventions the future?

Purpose Of The Review: Chronic post-treatment pain in breast cancer affects a high proportion of patients. Symptom burden and financial costs are increasingly impacting patients and healthcare systems because of improved treatments and survival rates. Supporting long-term breast cancer symptoms using novel methodology has been examined, yet few have explored the opportunity to utilise these interventions for prevention.

Exploration of pain assessment and management processes in oncology outpatient services with healthcare professionals: a qualitative study.

Objectives: This study explored cancer pain management practices and clinical care pathways used by healthcare professionals (HCPs) to understand the barriers and facilitators for standardised pain management in oncology outpatient services (OS).

Design: Data were collected using semistructured interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

The MARECA (national study of management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and oncological outcomes) study: National practice questionnaire of United Kingdom multi-disciplinary decision making.

Introduction: Evidence based guidelines for the optimal management of breast cancer locoregional recurrence (LRR) are limited, with potential for variation in clinical practice. This national practice questionnaire (NPQ) was designed to establish the current practice of UK breast multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) regarding LRR management.

Methods: UK breast units were invited to take part in the MARECA study MDT NPQ.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support medication decision-making and quality of life in women with breast cancer: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy is affected by medication side-effects and associated distress. Previous interventions focused on educating women to enhance adherence have proved minimally effective. We co-designed an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention to enhance medication decision-making and quality of life by targeting a broader range of factors, including side-effect management and psychological flexibility.