Active Monitoring for Low-Risk Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Posted: Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Most women in an Australian study preferred active monitoring of low-risk ductal carcinoma over other risk-managing alternatives, according to the findings presented at the 2018 Melbourne International Joint Breast Congress (Abstract OR04). Carolyn Nickson, PhD, of the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, and colleagues, sought to understand what options women consider for conservative management of low-risk breast cancer to reduce the adverse effects of overdiagnosis. Although breast cancer screening helps to reduce breast cancer mortality, overdiagnosis and mammography screening programs can poorly impact patients’ quality of life.
The researchers collected quality-of-life measures from women with and without a history of breast cancer in the Melbourne metropolitan area. They examined baseline demographics and a history of prior screening participation or breast cancer diagnosis as predictors of screening and treatment preferences.
Of the total surveyed, 75% indicated they would consider active monitoring an acceptable choice for managing low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ. The mean utility was 0.902 compared with 0.749 for immediate invasive treatment. Women in both patient and general population groups rated active monitoring more favorably, given the risk of disease progression decreased from 40% to 10%. Quality of life was reported to be lowest in those with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ treated with mastectomy or invasive adjuvant treatment.
