Evaluation of the adherence to follow-up care guidelines for women with breast cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate adherence with follow-up criteria as suggested by the national guideline for breast cancer patients.

Method: Patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 in two hospitals were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (n = 198). Compliance with the guideline was assessed retrospectively by extracting follow-up care data from patient files for a period of five years.

Results: Follow-up data were available for 196 patients. In the first year of follow-up, fewer consultations were performed compared to guideline standards. In the second through the fifth year of follow-up, more consultations were performed, with nearly double the number of consultations in the third until the fifth year compared to the guideline (p < 0.05). This excess usage was mainly associated with the fact that women had received radiotherapy (p < 0.01). Physical examinations were performed during 97 percent of consultations. Mammograms were performed slightly less often than suggested.

Conclusions: Among women receiving follow-up care after breast cancer, more consultations were provided compared to the guideline recommendations. Mammograms were performed slightly less often than recommended. With regard to the performance of physical examinations, the guideline was followed.