Towards evidence-based follow-up intervals for breast cancer survivors: Estimates of the preclinical detectable phase of contralateral second breast cancer

A. M. W. M. Aarts*, S. W. Duffy, S. M. E. Geurts, D. P. Vulkan, N. Houssami, M. Zappa, I. D. Nagtegaal, A. L. M. Verbeek, M. J. M. Broeders

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Follow-up schemes in breast cancer survivors are predominantly consensus-based. To determine evidence-based follow-up intervals, estimates of sensitivity of the screening test(s) and duration of the preclinical detectable phase (PCDP) are key. We estimated the sensitivity and the duration of the PCDP of clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography for the detection of contralateral second breast cancers (CBC) in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Women with a CBC (N = 589) diagnosed in Florence between 1980 and 2005 were included. Test sensitivity and the duration of PCDP were estimated using a simple exponential model of PCDP duration. Analyses were stratified by follow-up period (0-5 vs. >5 years after primary diagnosis) and age at CBC diagnosis (= 50 years).

Results: For CBE, test sensitivity was 55% and the duration of the PCDP 16 months. Mammography sensitivity was 91% and duration of the PCDP 35 months. Stratified analyses showed a higher test sensitivity for CBE for women aged

Conclusions: Poor test sensitivity for CBE with a shorter duration of the PCDP compared with mammography were observed. Mammography had high test sensitivity and the potential to detect CBCs early. The estimated duration of the PCDP (35 months) was considerably longer than the recommended follow-up interval (12 months). Future studies are needed to determine whether a longer follow-up interval is appropriate. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)70-74
Number of pages5
JournalBreast
Volume45
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Second primary breast cancer
  • Preclinical detectable phase
  • Test sensitivity
  • Mammography
  • Clinical breast examination
  • TEST SENSITIVITY
  • STAGE
  • PARAMETERS
  • PROGNOSIS
  • PROGRAM
  • DENSITY
  • HISTORY
  • TIME

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