title: The quality of early-stage breast cancer treatment: what can we do to improve?
abstract: Early-stage breast cancer is a highly curable disease with well-established protocols, including surgery, and the adjuvant modalities of regional radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Yet, there is clear evidence that these adjuvant modalities are underused significantly. This article reviews the evidence that supports the use of efficacious local and systemic therapies in early-stage breast cancer, reasons for underuse, and interventions that have proven to be effective in ensuring the delivery of appropriate breast cancer care and suggests strategies to improve the quality of breast cancer care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1077, New York, NY 10029, USA. nina.bickell@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Nina A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bickell
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: Amber A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Guth
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013997:Time Factors