Agreement between self-reported breast cancer treatment and medical records in a population-based breast cancer family registry

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although self-report data on treatment for breast cancer are collected in some large epidemiologic studies, their accuracy is unknown. METHODS: As part of a population-based Breast Cancer Family Registry, questionnaires on initial breast cancer treatment and subsequent recurrence were mailed to Australian women diagnosed between 1991 and 1998. These self-report data were validated against medical records for 895 women. RESULTS: The median recall period was 3.2 years, mean age at diagnosis was 44 years, and 81% of women had early-stage breast cancer. Agreement between the two data sources was very high for general questions about type of treatment (100%, 99%, 99%, and 94% for surgery..