Implementing clinical practice guidelines: a community-based audit of breast cancer treatment. Australian Capital Territory and South Eastern New South Wales Breast Cancer Treatment Group

Abstract

Objective: To improve breast cancer management by facilitating implementation of treatment guidelines.

Design: A prospective, longitudinal study (developed by clinicians and consumers) of all patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Four locally agreed breast cancer management guidelines were established (based on 1995 National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines) as practice indicators.

Setting: Breast cancer treatment facilities and medical practices in the Australian Capital Territory and South Eastern New South Wales, May 1997 to July 1998.

Main outcome measures: Actual treatment received by patients for primary breast cancer during the study period.

Results: During the 14 months of the study, 19 clinicians registered 221 new patients with a proven diagnosis of breast cancer. Of 191 women with localised invasive breast cancer, 112 (59%) had tumours 2 cm or less in diameter. Axillary surgery in 173 (91%) of these women showed 107 (56%) had no axillary lymph node involvement. Of 87 women treated with breast-conserving surgery for locally invasive cancer, 85 (98%) also received postoperative radiotherapy. Some form of systemic adjuvant therapy was indicated in 99 women (axillary nodes positive or tumours > 2 cm diameter) and this treatment was received by 95 (96%). All 27 women aged under 50 years with node-positive disease received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions: Enhancing uptake of breast cancer management guidelines is feasible at a regional level with an audit program and broad support among clinicians and consumers.