Efficacy of current familial breast cancer screening practices and its impact on national cancer programme: Array

Abstract

Introduction:

Breast cancer has been the leading cause of cancer in females over the last few decades. Familial inheritance of breast cancer is proven and investigated deeply. The need of the day is to risk stratify it before the actual problem arises and to standardise the process across the UK which is not yet addressed.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of current referrals to familial breast cancer clinics from all sources and their impact on the national breast cancer programme.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients referred to the breast cancer family history clinic at King’s Mill Hospital Breast Surgery Department between Jan-Dec 2017. A case note review of these cases was undertaken and data was collected on a proforma shown below. For analysis data was entered on FaHRAS and according to the risk calculated appropriateness of referrals to secondary care was measured.
 Results:

Results of our study showed that 73% of the referrals made in 2017 from primary care were appropriate, while 27% were stratified as in-appropriate referrals. Those missed might be more than expected but there is no way to assess the missed ones.

Conclusion:

In the conclusion, this study identifies the tip of the iceberg regarding the issue but the problem is far bigger. If screening is done in primary care, missed cases and inappropriate referrals could be effectively reduced significantly.