The management of early breast carcinoma before and after the introduction of clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of breast carcinoma were introduced in Australia in October, 1995. This article describes the management of early-stage breast carcinoma both before and after the introduction of these guidelines. METHODS. All cases of early breast carcinoma that were diagnosed over the same 6-month period in 1995 and 1999 and registered with a state-based cancer registry were identified. Treating surgeons completed a survey assessing tumor characteristics and primary treatment. In 1995, 95% of 188 surgeons who were approached participated and 96% of the surveys were returned. In 1999, 92% of 159 surgeons who were approached participated and 91% of ..