Who provides follow-up care for patients with early breast cancer?
OBJECTIVE
To assess how often family physicians are involved in posttreatment care of their stage I breast cancer patients and to identify factors associated with family physicians providing follow-up care.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study with a 5-year follow up by chart review.


METHODS
All cases of breast cancer seen at the London Regional Cancer Centre between 1982 and 1987 were reviewed to identify 183 stage I cancer patients alive at 5 years.


METHODS
Whether a physician (other than an oncologist) was involved in the follow-up care of patients, and whether the physician was a family physician or a surgeon.


RESULTS
Follow-up care during the 5-year postoperative period was provided in most cases by oncologists alone (66.7%); family physicians and surgeons were involved in 17.5% and 15.8% of cases, respectively. Surgeons became involved in follow-up care much earlier (12 months) than family physicians did (23 months) (P = 0.01) and were more likely to provide care for patients who received radiation treatment (P = 0.04) and for patients who lived in London (P = 0.004). Most malignant breast lesions (77.5%) were discovered by patients themselves (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, family physicians are infrequently involved in follow-up care of their patients with early breast cancer.
Worster
A
A
Victoria Family Medical Centre, London.
Wood
M L
ML
McWhinney
I R
IR
Bass
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009864:Ontario; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies