Clinicopathological and Genomic Identification of Breast Cancers with No Impact on Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Implementing mammogram screening means that clinicians are seeing many breast cancers that will never develop metastases. The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of breast cancer patients who did not present events related to long-term breast cancer mortality, taking into account diagnosis at breast screening, absence of palpability and axillary involvement, and genomic analysis with PAM50. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To identify them, a retrospective observational study was carried out selecting patients without any palpable tumor and without axillary involvement, and a genomic analysis was performed with PAM50. RESULTS: The probability of distant metastasis-free interval (DMFI) of 337 patients was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90-0.93) at 20 years and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.92-1.00) in 95 patients (28%) with available PAM50 tests. In 22 (23.15%) luminal A tumors and in 9 (9.47%) luminal B tumors smaller than 1 cm, and in HER2 and basal type tumors, there were no metastatic events (20-year DMFI of 1.00). CONCLUSION: Patients with nonpalpable breast cancer found at screening with negative nodes are at very low risk. It is possible to identify subgroups without metastatic events by determining the intrinsic subtype and tumor size less than 1 cm. Therefore, de-escalation of treatment should be considered.

Follow-up of long-term survivors of breast cancer in primary care versus specialist attention.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals have traditionally been the place where the follow-up of breast cancer patients occurs in Spain. OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of long-term survivors of breast cancer according to type of follow-up received (in primary or specialist/hospital care), measuring impact of care type on health, cost, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and satisfaction results. METHOD: Retrospective study of cohorts with disease-free patients followed up for at least 5 years in Oncology. Using personal questionnaires, the type and cost of the follow-up, events, HRQL and satisfaction were analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-eight women were surveyed, 60 in primary and 38 in specialist care. There were no differences between groups in diagnosis of metastasis or new primary tumours. The number of annual visits per patient was 0.98 (0.48) in primary and 1.11 (0.38) in specialist care (P = 0.19). In primary, 44.6% were programmed and 55.4% on demand; in specialist, 94.6% were programmed and 5.4% on demand (P = 0.0001). The costs of follow-up in primary care were lower--€112.86 (77.54) versus €184.61 (85.87) per patient and year (P = 0.0001). No differences were reported in HRQL. Preference for specialist care was expressed by 80%, versus 10% for primary, with 10% indifferent. Patients showed greater satisfaction with specialist care in all questionnaire dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with follow-up protocol was high in both groups. In specialist care nearly all the visits were programmed and in primary almost half were on demand. In our locality, primary is more cost-effective than specialist care, but patients express greater satisfaction with specialist follow-up and hence prefer it.

Clinicopathological characteristics and survival results of patients with ultralow risk breast cancer. / Características clínico-patológicas y supervivencia de pacientes con cáncer de mama de riesgo muy bajo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To identify subgroups with good progress over an extended period, we used diagnostic screening, tumour palpability, tumour phenotype, and node involvement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified patients with good progress by means of a descriptive, observational and retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 746 patients diagnosed with node-negative breast cancer between 2001 and 2015: 110 (14.75%) had non-palpable screening-diagnosed tumours; 88 (80%) were endocrine-sensitive, 10 (9.10%) were triple-negative and 11 (10%) were HER2. Only 3 patients developed metastases, and there were 4 deaths: 2 from breast cancer and 2 from other causes. The distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) was 95.60%: 100% in 34 endocrine-sensitive histological grade 1 (equivalent to luminal A) tumours, and 94.40% (95% CI 86.76-102.04) in 54 grade 2-3 (luminal B) tumours. In triple-negative and HER2 cases, it was 100%. In tumours <1 cm it was 100%, and >1 cm it was 95.50% (95% CI 79.42-100.98). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-palpable tumours detected by mammogram screening have ultralow risk. The good progress in the luminal A, triple-negative, HER2, and less than 1 cm subgroups may explain the efficacy of the treatment but it also makes them candidates to de-escalation of their treatment.

Phase III Trial of Adjuvant Capecitabine After Standard Neo-/Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (GEICAM/2003-11_CIBOMA/2004-01).

PURPOSE: Operable triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have a higher risk of relapse than non-TNBCs with standard therapy. The GEICAM/2003-11_CIBOMA/2004-01 trial explored extended adjuvant capecitabine after completion of standard chemotherapy in patients with early TNBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were those with operable, node-positive-or node negative with tumor 1 cm or greater-TNBC, with prior anthracycline- and/or taxane-containing chemotherapy. After central confirmation of TNBC status by immunohistochemistry, patients were randomly assigned to either capecitabine or observation. Stratification factors included institution, prior taxane-based therapy, involved axillary lymph nodes, and centrally determined phenotype (basal v nonbasal, according to cytokeratins 5/6 and/or epidermal growth factor receptor positivity by immunohistochemistry). The primary objective was to compare disease-free survival (DFS) between both arms. RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-six patients were randomly assigned to capecitabine (n = 448) or observation (n = 428). Median age was 49 years, 55.9% were lymph node negative, 73.9% had a basal phenotype, and 67.5% received previous anthracyclines plus taxanes. Median length of follow-up was 7.3 years. DFS was not significantly prolonged with capecitabine versus observation [hazard ratio (HR), 0.82; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.06; P = .136]. In a preplanned subgroup analysis, nonbasal patients seemed to derive benefit from the addition of capecitabine with a DFS HR of 0.53 versus 0.94 in those with basal phenotype (interaction test P = .0694) and an HR for overall survival of 0.42 versus 1.23 in basal phenotype (interaction test P = .0052). Tolerance of capecitabine was as expected, with 75.2% of patients completing the planned 8 cycles. CONCLUSION: This study failed to show a statistically significant increase in DFS by adding extended capecitabine to standard chemotherapy in patients with early TNBC. In a preplanned subset analysis, patients with nonbasal phenotype seemed to obtain benefit with capecitabine, although this will require additional validation.

Experiences with Prescribing Large Quantities of Systemic Anticancer Therapy Near Death.

Background: The most important decision after diagnosing terminal cancer is whether to provide active therapy or withhold treatment. Objective: To analyze the aggressiveness of care by evaluating systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) given near to death, describing this care and identifying factors that determine its use. Design: This involves retrospective observational cohorts study. Setting/Subjects: This involves patients with metastatic tumors who died at a University Hospital in Spain between 2015 and 2016. Measurements: Data obtained from prescribing oncologists and patients' clinical records, type of cancer, and information on treatment. The dependent variable used was the interval between the date of the last dose and date of death. Results: Ninety-four (32.60%) of 288 patients received SACT in the last month of life. This cohort had a higher frequency of lung cancer (OR: 1.58; CI 95%: 1.14-2.18), received more care from oncologist 2 (OR: 1.50; CI 95%: 1.08-2.08), had fewer last-line treatment cycles (OR: 1.28; CI 95%: 1.13-1.45), a lower subjective response (OR: 3.13; CI 95%: 1.34-7.29), less clinical benefit (OR: 2.38; CI 95%: 1.04-5.55), more visits to the Emergency Department (OR: 1.59; CI 95%: 1.06-2.38), and less care from the Palliative Care Unit (OR: 4.55; CI 95%: 2.69-7.70). In multivariate analysis, the predictors of having received SACT close to death remained: receiving fewer cycles of treatment (OR: 1.28; CI 95%: 1.12-1.47) and less palliative care (OR: 4.54; CI 95%: 2.56-7.69). Conclusions: A third of cancer patients received SACT in the last month of life with less efficacy and poorer quality of care than patients not receiving it.

[Evolution of angiogenesis following anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer]. / Efecto de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante con antraciclinas en la angiogenia del cáncer de mama.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The impact of chemotherapy on the extent of breast cancer angiogenesis is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of primary chemotherapy on tumor microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and correlate this changes with tumor response, post-chemotherapy changes and other biological variables. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In 41 consecutive patients with breast cancer stages II and III, treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, immunohistochemical analysis of microvessel density and VEGF were performed before and after the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Microvessel density was the same in post-chemotherapy that in pre-chemotherapy samples (p = 0.29). There were no changes in the expression of VEGF (p = 0.23). The expression of VEGF and microvessel density did not show any relationship with the response in the pre-chemotherapy analysis (p = 0.60 and p = 0.30 respectively), nor in the post-chemotherapy analysis (p = 0.50 and p = 0.65 respectively). Changes post-chemotherapy were not associated with VEGF expression (p = 0.53 in the pre-chemotherapy samples and p = 0.43 in the post-chemotherapy samples) nor microvessel density (p = 0.72 in the pre-chemotherapy samples and p = 0.65 in the post-chemotherapy samples). CONCLUSIONS: Anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not cause a reduction of the density of microvessel nor of the expression of VEGF in breast cancer.

How a deliberative approach includes women in the decisions of screening mammography: a citizens' jury feasibility study in Andalusia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To verify whether a citizens' jury study is feasible to the Andalusian population and to know if women, when better informed, are able to answer the research question of whether the Andalusian Public Health System must continue offering screening mammography to women aged 50-69. The reasons for the pertinent decision and recommendations to the political authorities will be stated. DESIGN: Qualitative research study with the methodology of citizens' jury. SETTING: Breast cancer screening programme in Andalusia (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen women aged 50-69 with secondary school or higher education accepted to participate as a jury. Two epidemiologists were the expert witnesses. The main researcher was the neutral moderator. INTERVENTIONS: Jury met on Monday, 15 February 2016. The moderator indicated to the jury that it had to assess the screening programme's key benefits and main harm. On Tuesday, 16 February, the expert witnesses positioned for and against the programme. On Thursday, 18 February, the jury deliberated, reached final conclusions, submitted its vote and stated its recommendations to politicians. The deliberation session was transcribed and analysed with the support of ATLAS.ti.5.2 software. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility in the Andalusian population, women's vote and opinion, reasons for votes and recommendations to political authorities. RESULTS: Eleven participants voted yes and two voted no. There are three reasons to vote 'yes': health, the test nature, and individual freedom. Some women invoke the lack of efficacy and the cost to justify their negative vote, at least in universal terms. On completion, they made suggestions to be submitted to the pertinent authorities for the improvement of information, psychology services and research. CONCLUSIONS: The deliberative strategy is feasible and causes a favourable positioning regarding screening mammography, although information changes the opinion of some women, who desire informed decision making and to keep or increase medicalisation in their lives.

Evaluation of non-genomic, clinical risk and survival results in endocrine-sensitive, HER-2 negative, lymph node negative breast cancer. / Evaluación del riesgo clínico, no genómico y resultados de supervivencia en el carcinoma de mama hormonosensible, HER-2 negativo, con ganglios negativos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In endocrine-sensitive, HER-2 negative, node negative breast cancer, the presence of a low genomic risk allows treatment with adjuvant endocrine therapy alone, obtaining excellent survival rates. The justification for this study is to show that excellent survival rates are also obtained by treating with adjuvant hormone therapy alone, based on clinical risk assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive, observational and retrospective study was performed between 2006 and 2016 with endocrine-sensitive, HER-2 negative, node negative breast cancer, greater than 1cm or between 0.6 and 1cm with unfavourable features. Retrospective review of health records. Mortality data of the National Registry of Deaths. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were evaluable for survival. One hundred and twenty-three (60.50%) were treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy alone, 77 (37.90%) with chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, one (0.50%) with chemotherapy alone and 2 (1%) were not treated. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94-100). Distant recurrence-free interval was 94% (95% CI 90-98). In the subgroup of patients treated with endocrine therapy alone, overall survival and distant recurrence-free interval rates at 5 years were 98% (95% CI 95-100) and 97% (95% CI 93-100), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with endocrine-sensitive, HER-2-negative, node negative breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy alone according to their clinical risk have similar survival outcomes as those treated with endocrine therapy according to their genomic risk.

Impact of computerised chemotherapy prescriptions on the prevention of medication errors.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the impact of computerised chemotherapy prescription on the reduction of medication errors. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of errors present in electronic versus manual prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data gathered from computerised chemotherapy prescription sheets were submitted to a prospective analysis as cases of the intervention groups. The control group was comprised of the handwritten chemotherapy prescription sheets. Chemotherapy prescriptions for consecutive oncology patients were analysed by 2 independent examiners, who investigated errors of omission, commission, interpretation of dates, abbreviations and illegible handwriting. The proportion of treatment prescriptions containing one or more errors and the median of errors were calculated in order in both groups. RESULTS: At least one error was detected in 100% of the manual prescriptions and in 13% of computerised prescriptions (p < 0.001). The median of errors per computerised prescription was 0 (range: 0- 1), whereas in manual prescriptions the median was 5 (range: 1-12) (p < 0.001). Errors of omission were predominant in manual prescriptions. Errors of commission were limited to 1 case of unjustified cytostatic agent infra-dosage in a computerised prescription. This error was present in 3 cases in handwritten prescriptions and, in addition, 1 case of premedication drug substitution was detected. Errors of interpretation of the date, use of abbreviations and illegible handwriting were frequent among manual prescriptions and were absent from computerised prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic chemotherapy prescription is a powerful tool. In this study it has been shown to decrease chemotherapy-related medication errors and ensure that safe chemotherapy practices were followed.

Evaluating the Applicability of Data-Driven Dietary Patterns to Independent Samples with a Focus on Measurement Tools for Pattern Similarity.

BACKGROUND: Diet is a key modifiable risk for many chronic diseases, but it remains unclear whether dietary patterns from one study sample are generalizable to other independent populations. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess whether data-driven dietary patterns from one study sample are applicable to other populations. The secondary objective was to assess the validity of two criteria of pattern similarity. METHODS: Six dietary patterns-Western (n=3), Mediterranean, Prudent, and Healthy- from three published studies on breast cancer were reconstructed in a case-control study of 973 breast cancer patients and 973 controls. Three more internal patterns (Western, Prudent, and Mediterranean) were derived from this case-control study's own data. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Applicability was assessed by comparing the six reconstructed patterns with the three internal dietary patterns, using the congruence coefficient (CC) between pattern loadings. In cases where any pair met either of two commonly used criteria for declaring patterns similar (CC ≥0.85 or a statistically significant [P<0.05] Pearson correlation), then the true similarity of those two dietary patterns was double-checked by comparing their associations to risk for breast cancer, to assess whether those two criteria of similarity are actually reliable. RESULTS: Five of the six reconstructed dietary patterns showed high congruence (CC >0.9) to their corresponding dietary pattern derived from the case-control study's data. Similar associations with risk for breast cancer were found in all pairs of dietary patterns that had high CC but not in all pairs of dietary patterns with statistically significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Similar dietary patterns can be found in independent samples. The P value of a correlation coefficient is less reliable than the CC as a criterion for declaring two dietary patterns similar. This study shows that diet scores based on a particular study are generalizable to other populations.

[Evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using breast scintigraphy in breast cancer]. / Utilidad de la gammagrafía mamaria en la valoración de la respuesta a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante en el cáncer de mama.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the usefulness of Tc-99m-sestamibi breast scintigraphy in predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in patients with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In 50 consecutive patients with breast cancer stages II and III, physical examination, mammography and scintimammography were performed before and after the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The 3 assessments were compared for predictive value using a pathological response as reference. Values derived from visual assessment of the scintimammography, a quantitative tumor/background index, and isotope clearance were compared to the immunohistochemical expression of P-glycoprotein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (CD31) in relation to neoadjuvant chemotherapy response. RESULTS: Macroscopic response was obtained in 10 cases (20%). Sensitivity was 86.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.4-94.9) for the physical examination, 83.3% (95% CI, 68-92.5) for the mammography and 76.5% (95% CI, 58.4-88.6) for the scintimammography. Specificity was 38.5% (95% CI, 15.1-67.7) for the physical examination, 42.9% (95% CI, 11.8-79.8) for the mammography and 8.3% (95% CI, 0.4-40.2) for the scintimammography. There were no statistically significant differences in isotope uptake and clearance with regard to response nor in relation to levels of expression of P-glycoprotein, VEGF and microvessel density. CONCLUSIONS: Breast scintigraphy with Tc-99m-sestamibi is not useful in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. Traditional physical examination and mammography are more effective. Isotope uptake and clearance do not predict response and there is not an effective in vivo measurement of chemo-resistance or tumor angiogenesis.

Using an informed consent in mammography screening: a randomized trial.

Spanish women do not make an informed choice regarding breast cancer screening (BCS). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of receiving information regarding real BCS benefits and risks on knowledge, attitude, decision, feelings, and worries about cancer. Randomized controlled clinical trial of 355 women aged between 45 and 67 years, 177 and 178 assigned to the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), respectively. After breast screening, women received either Nordic Cochrane Centre information on BCS or standard information. The primary outcome (knowledge) was determined from questionnaire administered at baseline and after a month. Answers were scored from 0 to 10 and scores of 5 or more indicated that women were well informed (had "good knowledge"). Questionnaires regarding attitudes, future screening intentions, and psychosocial impact were also administered. The Chi-squared and Student's t-tests were used to compare qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Good knowledge was acquired by 32 (18.10%) IG women and 15 (8.40%) CG women (P = 0.008). Mean scores from first to second interview increased from 2.97 (SD 1.16) to 3.43 (SD 1.39) in the CG and from and from 2.96 (SD 1.23) to 3.95 (SD 1.78) (P = 0.002) in the IG. No differences were found in the secondary endpoints. Women receiving information based on the Nordic Cochrane Centre document were better informed. This means of providing information is not very efficacious, nor does it modify attitude, decision, feelings, or worries about cancer.

Lower Breast Cancer Risk among Women following the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research Lifestyle Recommendations: EpiGEICAM Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: According to the "World Cancer Research Fund" and the "American Institute of Cancer Research" (WCRF/AICR) one in four cancer cases could be prevented through a healthy diet, weight control and physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between the WCRF/AICR recommendations and risk of breast cancer. METHODS: During the period 2006 to 2011 we recruited 973 incident cases of breast cancer and 973 controls from 17 Spanish Regions. We constructed a score based on 9 of the WCRF/AICR recommendations for cancer prevention:: 1)Maintain adequate body weight; 2)Be physically active; 3)Limit the intake of high density foods; 4)Eat mostly plant foods; 5)Limit the intake of animal foods; 6)Limit alcohol intake; 7)Limit salt and salt preserved food intake; 8)Meet nutritional needs through diet; S1)Breastfeed infants exclusively up to 6 months. We explored its association with BC by menopausal status and by intrinsic tumor subtypes (ER+/PR+ & HER2-; HER2+; ER&PR-&HER2-) using conditional and multinomial logistic models respectively. RESULTS: Our results point to a linear association between the degree of noncompliance and breast cancer risk. Taking women who met 6 or more recommendations as reference, those meeting less than 3 showed a three-fold excess risk (OR=2.98(CI95%:1.59-5.59)), especially for postmenopausal women (OR=3.60(CI95%:1.24;10.47)) and ER+/PR+&HER2- (OR=3.60(CI95%:1.84;7.05)) and HER2+ (OR=4.23(CI95%:1.66;10.78)) tumors. Noncompliance of recommendations regarding the consumption of foods and drinks that promote weight gain in premenopausal women (OR=2.24(CI95%:1.18;4.28); p for interaction=0.014) and triple negative tumors (OR=2.93(CI95%:1.12-7.63)); the intake of plant foods in postmenopausal women (OR=2.35(CI95%:1.24;4.44)) and triple negative tumors (OR=3.48(CI95%:1.46-8.31)); and the alcohol consumption in ER+/PR+&HER2- tumors (OR=1.52 (CI95%:1.06-2.19)) showed the strongest associations. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer prevention might be possible by following the "World Cancer Research Fund" and the "American Institute of Cancer Research" recommendations, even in settings like Spain, where a high percentage of women already comply with many of them.

Epirubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel Versus Epirubicin Plus Docetaxel Followed by Capecitabine As Adjuvant Therapy for Node-Positive Early Breast Cancer: Results From the GEICAM/2003-10 Study.

PURPOSE: Capecitabine is an active drug in metastatic breast cancer (BC). GEICAM/2003-10 is an adjuvant trial to investigate the integration of capecitabine into a regimen of epirubicin and docetaxel for node-positive early BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with operable node-positive BC (T1-3/N1-3) were eligible. After surgery, 1,384 patients were randomly assigned to receive epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (EC; 90 and 600 mg/m(2), respectively, × four cycles), followed by docetaxel (100 mg/m(2) × four cycles; EC-T) or epirubicin plus docetaxel (ET; 90 and 75 mg/m(2), respectively, × four cycles), followed by capecitabine (1,250 mg/m(2) twice a day on days 1 to 14, × four cycles; ET-X); all regimens were given every 3 weeks. The primary end point was invasive disease-free survival. Secondary end points included safety (with an alopecia-specific study) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 6.6 years and 297 events, 86% of patients who received EC-T and 82% of those who received ET-X were invasive disease free at 5 years (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.64; log-rank P = .03). The OS difference between arms was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.55; log-rank P = .46). The most frequent grade 3 to 4 adverse events in the EC-T versus ET-X arms were neutropenia (19% v 10%), with 7% febrile neutropenia across arms; fatigue (13% v 11%); diarrhea (3% v 11%); hand-foot syndrome (2% v 20%); mucositis (6% v 5%); vomiting (both, 5%); and myalgia (4.5% v 1%). Incomplete scalp hair recovery was more frequent in the EC-T than ET-X arm (30% v 14%), and patients who received EC-T wore wigs significantly longer than those who received ET-X (8.35 v 6.03 months). CONCLUSION: Invasive disease-free survival, but not OS, was significantly superior for patients with node-positive early BC who received the adjuvant standard schedule EC-T than for those who received the experimental ET-X regimen. Toxicity profiles differed substantially across arms.

Women's perceptions of breast cancer screening. Spanish screening programme survey.

OBJECTIVES: Participants in breast cancer screening programmes may benefit from early detection but may also be exposed to the risks of overdiagnosis and false positives. We surveyed a sample of Spanish women to assess knowledge, information sources, attitudes and psychosocial impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 434 breast cancer screening programme participants aged 45-69 years were administered questionnaires regarding knowledge, information sources, attitudes and psychosocial impact. Scores of 5 or more (out of 10) and 12 or less (out of 24) were established as indicating adequate knowledge and a positive attitude, respectively. Psychosocial impact was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Cancer Worry Scale. RESULTS: Only 42 women (9.7%) had adequate knowledge. The mean (SD) knowledge score was 2.97 (1.16). Better educated women and women without previous false positives had higher scores. The main sources of information were television, press, Andalusian Health Service documentation and family and friends. Most participants (99.1%) had a positive attitude, with a mean (SD) score of 3.21 (2.66). Mean (SD) scores for anxiety, depression and cancer worry were 1.86 (3.26), 0.72 (1.99) and 9.4 (3.04), respectively. CONCLUSION: Women have a very positive attitude to breast cancer screening, but are poorly informed and use television as their main information source. They experience no negative psychosocial impact from participation in such programmes.

¿Qué piensan las mujeres sobre la mamografía de cribado? Encuesta en el programa de diagnóstico precoz de cáncer de mama / What do women think about screening mammography? Survey in a breast cancer screening programme

Objetivos. En España las mujeres no toman una decisión informada sobre su participación en el programa de cribado mamográfico. Se analizó si proporcionar información individualizada y precisa sobre los beneficios y riesgos del programa de cribado mamográfico incrementaba su grado de conocimiento. Pacientes y método. Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado y controlado en el que participaron 434 mujeres de entre 45 y 69 años, convocadas a la mamografía de cribado. Doscientas dieciocho fueron aleatorizadas al grupo control y 216 al de intervención. Se evaluó el grado de conocimiento sobre beneficios y riesgos del cribado mamográfico mediante un cuestionario específico, en la segunda entrevista, al mes. Secundariamente se analizaron la actitud, la ansiedad y la depresión, así como la preocupación por el cáncer de las participantes. Resultados. Adquirieron un buen conocimiento 15 de 178 mujeres (8,4%) en el grupo control y 32 de 177 (18,1%) en el de intervención (p=0,008). Las mujeres del grupo de intervención tienen un riesgo relativo 2,39 veces mayor de adquirir un buen conocimiento que las del grupo control (IC 95% 1,24-4,60). No se hallaron diferencias en ninguno de los objetivos secundarios evaluados. Conclusiones. Las mujeres poseen un nivel de conocimientos muy pobre sobre el programa de cribado con mamografía, siendo la televisión su principal fuente de información. La información individualizada incrementó significativamente el grado de buen conocimiento, aunque persistió en porcentajes muy bajos. Tienen una actitud muy positiva sobre el mismo y no se aprecia un impacto negativo en la esfera psicosocial por su participación en este tipo de procedimientos

Objectives. Spanish women do not make an informed choice about their participation in breast cancer screening. Our study hypothesised that providing individualised and accurate information about the benefits and risks of the mammography screening programme in Spain would increase their knowledge. Patients and method. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted in 434 women aged between 45 and 69 years: 216 were assigned to the intervention group and 218 to the control group. The degree of knowledge about the benefits and risks of mammography screening was determined from questionnaires administered at baseline and after one month. Secondarily, the participants’ attitudes, anxiety and depression and cancer worry were analysed. Results. Good knowledge was acquired by 15 of 178 women (8.4%) in the control group and 32 of 177 (18.1%) in the intervention group (P=.008). The relative risk of acquiring a good level of knowledge about the programme was 2.39 times higher in women in the intervention group than in those in the control group (95% CI 1.24-4.60). No differences were found in the secondary endpoints. Conclusions. Women have a very poor level of knowledge about mammography screening, with their main information source being television. Individualized information significantly increased the proportion of women with good knowledge but the percentages remained very low. Women had a very positive attitude to screening and a negative impact in the psychosocial sphere due to their participation was not observed

Use of health-care services during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The authors analyse the effect of chemotherapy on the use of additional health-care resources and report the clinical and demographic factors associated with such use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In women with breast cancer, eligible to receive first-line (neo)-adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy, consultations with health-care practitioners (general practitioners [GPs] and specialists) and admissions to emergency department and to hospital were prospectively recorded. Differences were studied according to these clinical and demographic variables: age, tumour stage, performance status, weight, height, body mass index, surgery type, chemotherapy type, number of courses, comorbidity, marital status, educational level, social status and occupational status. RESULTS: Among 268 patients, 124 (42.2%) required one or more non-protocol health-care encounters. 180 visits were generated (GP 23.3%, specialist 35.5%, emergency department admission 21.1%, hospital admission 8.3%, others 3.3% and more than one resource 8.3%). Of total consultations 150 (83.3%) were chemotherapy-related. The number of visits was higher in the first courses. Fever and infection were the most frequent reasons for consultation in all resources. The dependent variable: 'need for non-protocol health-care encounter in any course' was statistically associated with age (p=0.002) and marital status (p=0.021); no association was found with other variables. In multivariate analysis, age (p=0.001) and marital status (p=0.009) remained statistically significant. Younger and married patients consumed less extra health resources. CONCLUDING STATEMENT: Many patients receiving chemotherapy consume health-care resources in addition to their routine visits, usually treatment-related. Patients consult less in the later courses. Older and unmarried women in particular need extra care during chemotherapy.

Características clínico-patológicas y supervivencia de pacientes con cáncer de mama de riesgo muy bajo / Clinicopathological characteristics and survival results of patients with ultralow risk breast cancer

Antecedentes y objetivo: La universalización del cribado mamográfico ha incrementado el diagnóstico de cánceres de mama con pronóstico excelente. La ausencia de tumor palpable les confiere un riesgo muy bajo de mortalidad por cáncer de mama. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar subgrupos con muy buena evolución a largo plazo.Pacientes y métodosIdentificamos pacientes con muy buena evolución mediante estudio descriptivo, observacional y retrospectivo. Los criterios de riesgo muy bajo fueron la procedencia del cribado mamográfico, sin tumor palpable, el fenotipo tumoral y la afectación ganglionar.ResultadosDe 746 pacientes con carcinoma de mama, con ganglios negativos, entre 2001 y 2015, 110 (14,75%) procedían del cribado con tumores no palpables. Ochenta y ocho (80%) eran hormonosensibles, 10 (9,10%) triples negativos y 11 (10%) HER2. La mediana de seguimiento fue 10 años (3,5-17). Solo tres pacientes desarrollaron metástasis, no hubo recidivas loco-regionales, siete presentaron segundos tumores primarios y hubo cuatro muertes, dos por cáncer de mama y dos por otras causas. El intervalo libre de metástasis a distancia (ILMD) fue 95,60% (intervalo de confianza (IC) 95% 90,70-100,50); 96,30% (IC 95% 91,21-99,39) en 88 tumores hormonosensibles, 100% en 34 hormonosensibles de grado histológico 1 (aproximación a luminales A) y 94,40% (IC 95% 86,76-102,04) en 54 de grado 2-3 (luminales B). En los triples negativos y HER2 fue 100%. En tumores menores y mayores de 1 cm fue 100% y 95,50% (IC 95% 89, 42-101,58).ConclusionesLas pacientes con tumores no palpables, detectados en el cribado mamográfico tienen un riesgo de recurrencia muy bajo. La buena evolución en los subgrupos luminal A, triple negativo, HER2 y menores de 1 cm puede explicar la eficacia del tratamiento, pero también los hace candidatos a desescalar su tratamiento. (AU)

Background and objective: To identify subgroups with good progress over an extended period, we used diagnostic screening, tumour palpability, tumour phenotype, and node involvement.Patients and methodsWe identified patients with good progress by means of a descriptive, observational and retrospective study.ResultsOf 746 patients diagnosed with node-negative breast cancer between 2001 and 2015: 110 (14.75%) had non-palpable screening-diagnosed tumours; 88 (80%) were endocrine-sensitive, 10 (9.10%) were triple-negative and 11 (10%) were HER2. Only 3 patients developed metastases, and there were 4 deaths: 2 from breast cancer and 2 from other causes. The distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) was 95.60%: 100% in 34 endocrine-sensitive histological grade 1 (equivalent to luminal A) tumours, and 94.40% (95% CI 86.76–102.04) in 54 grade 2–3 (luminal B) tumours. In triple-negative and HER2 cases, it was 100%. In tumours <1 cm it was 100%, and >1 cm it was 95.50% (95% CI 79.42–100.98).ConclusionsPatients with non-palpable tumours detected by mammogram screening have ultralow risk. The good progress in the luminal A, triple-negative, HER2, and less than 1 cm subgroups may explain the efficacy of the treatment but it also makes them candidates to de-escalation of their treatment. (AU)

Interaction between capecitabine and brivudin in a patient with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: A 66-year-old woman with metastatic mammary carcinoma, who was being treated with capecitabine, contracted a herpes zoster infection that was treated with the antiviral drug brivudin. A drug-drug interaction between brivudin and capecitabine caused medullar aplasia, serious toxic effects to the intestinal mucous membrane, hand-foot syndrome, onycholysis and dental pigmentation. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, blood analysis, blood cultures, chest X-ray, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. DIAGNOSIS: Serious adverse event secondary to inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase by a drug-drug interaction between capecitabine and brivudin. MANAGEMENT: Intravenous hydration, imipenem, red blood cell and platelet transfusions, filgrastim, omeprazole, care of the mouth and feet, topical anesthetics, systemic analgesics and parenteral nutrition.