Supportive Care Model Following Treatment for Low Grade Breast Cancer

Project Lead: Dr Jo Dent, Consultant Oncologist Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust (CHFT)

Collaborators: Veronica Allinson, CHFT; Carol Fergueson, Yorkshire Cancer Network (YCN); Stephanie Brayford and Maxine McCoy, Breast Cancer Care

Date: 2008-2012

Professor Annie Topping was part of a team involved in a randomised study exploring the acceptability of an education programme delivered by the charity Breast Cancer Care and comparing standard and a supportive care model of follow up for women who had received initial treatment for low grade breast cancer.

The project was carried out through a collaboration between the Centre for Health and Social Research, Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust and the Yorkshire Cancer Network and Breast Cancer Care.

The educational programme, 'Looking after Yourself after Breast Cancer' was offered to all women. Psychological distress was compared between randomised groups of women, looking at the effect of the education programme and supportive care versus the standard hospital based approach which includes regular medical examinations involving attendance at outpatient departments. All women received standard mammography examinations as recommended.

There is no evidence that outpatient medical examination brings any benefit in terms of identifying recurrence of breast cancer. Most women recognise recurrence and self-refer through self-examination and breast awareness or it is discovered during mammography testing. The findings indicate that women who received supportive care experienced no greater distress than those attending routine follow up. As a consequence women locally are no longer routinely invited to attend clinic. They are continued to be monitored by mammography, receive education about how to look after themselves and be self aware and provided with rapid access to support by clinicians if they are concerned about breast cancer. This model of supportive care, education plus open access, appears feasible and acceptable and is being cascaded across NHS providers.

For further information, please contact Veronica Allinson at the MacMillan Unit, Calderdale Royal Hospital Tel: 01422 357171