title: National Breast Cancer Audit: overview of invasive breast cancer in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The National Breast Cancer Audit collects data on the care of early breast cancer patients in Australia and New Zealand. An overview of invasive breast cancer in New Zealand is presented with emphasis on comparing the screened population with symptomatic referrals.
  
  
  METHODS
  All New Zealand data in the National Breast Cancer Audit with a diagnosis date of 2008 have been included in the report. Data was analysed with an aim to compare the presenting features and management of screen detected invasive cancer with symptomatic referrals in New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 2371 cases of breast cancer, 52% of which were symptomatic referrals, 37% of which were BreastScreen Aotearoa referrals. Higher breast conservation rates were reported in the screening population. 3% of patients had involved margins after surgery. Almost two-thirds (62%) of BreastScreen patients underwent a sentinel node biopsy without further axillary surgery. 72% of screening patients and 86% of symptomatic patients who were high risk did not receive post mastectomy radiotherapy. A larger proportion of symptomatic patients received chemotherapy. Endocrine therapy was prescribed to 81% of hormone receptor positive patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with early invasive breast cancer in New Zealand were managed appropriately according to audit performance indicators and clinical guidelines. The numbers of high risk patients not receiving post mastectomy radiotherapy and the lack of endocrine treatment in some patients with hormone receptor positive tumours may warrant further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. ltco2000@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Corinne W L
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kollias
authors.forename: Primali
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Silva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054869:Clinical Audit; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008403:Mass Screening; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D047648:Perimenopause; D017698:Postmenopause; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen