Follow-up Of Breast Cancer Survivors

What is the best way of follow-up breast cancers survivors that would help an early detection of breast cancer recurrence? Research indicates that breast cancer survivors receive better care if they get follow-ups by two physicians, their own family doctor and an oncologist. This is better than seeing just one physician.

Prior studies have indicated that up to one third of women who survive breast cancer do not get follow-up mammograms. Breast cancer survivors would have a better chance of getting mammograms and early detection of breast cancer recurrence if two physicians handle the care.

Scientists found that the best approach for delivering care for breast cancer survivors remains unclear. They tracked mammography use among survivors followed by primary-care physicians, cancer specialists or both. The study lasted for three years and involved more than 3,800 women, age 66 or older, who'd been treated for breast cancer.

One third of these women received shared oncologist/generalist doctor care. The study found that, that group who had two physicians overlooking the care experienced higher mammography (84 percent) than breast cancer survivors cared for by a specialist or generalist alone (76 percent).

Surprisingly the scientists also found that underuse of mammography among the breast cancer survivors was most prevalent among women with the greatest risk of recurrence.