title: Breast interest group faculty of radiation oncology: Australian and New Zealand patterns of practice survey on breast radiotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This patterns of practice study was conducted on behalf of the RANZCR Breast Interest Group in order to document current radiotherapy practices for breast cancer in Australia and New Zealand. The survey identifies variations and highlights potential contentious aspects of radiotherapy management of breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A fifty-eight question survey was disseminated via the Survey Monkey digital platform to 388 Radiation Oncologists in Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 156 responses were received and collated. Areas of notable consensus among respondents included hypofractionation (77.3% of respondents would 'always' or 'sometimes' consider hypofractionation in the management of ductal carcinoma in-situ and 99.3% in early invasive breast cancer); margin status in early breast cancer (73.8% believe a clear inked margin is sufficient and does not require further surgery) and use of bolus in post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) (91.1% of participants use bolus in PMRT). Areas with a wider degree of variability amongst respondents included regional nodal irradiation and components of radiotherapy planning and delivery (examples include the technique used for delivery of boost and frequency of bolus application for PMRT).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of these patterns of practice survey informs radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand of the current clinical practices being implemented by their peers. The survey identifies areas of consensus and contention, the latter of which may lead to a development of research trials and/or educational activities to address these areas of uncertainty.
authors.affiliation: Central Coast Cancer Centre, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: St George Hospital Cancer Care, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.affiliation: Waikato Regional Cancer Centre, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Genesis Cancer Care: Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dreosti
authors.affiliation: Northern Sydney Cancer Centre Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgia
authors.affiliation: Genesis Cancer Care: Wembley Radiotherapy Centre, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zissiadis
authors.affiliation: Northern Sydney Cancer Centre Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Gilian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamoury
authors.affiliation: Central Coast Cancer Centre, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia.|University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Apsara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Australia; New Zealand; breast neoplasms; radiotherapy; surveys and questionnaires