Data being published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology point to an alarming pattern in breast cancer treatment -- less than half of women with early stage breast cancer whose records were evaluated received their full, recommended dose of potentially life-saving chemotherapy. Researchers found that 56 percent of 20,799 women treated for early stage breast cancer nationwide received less than 85 percent of their prescribed chemotherapy dose intensity due to treatment delays or dose reductions.

Data from a new study published in today's Journal of Clinical Oncology points to an alarming pattern in breast cancer treatment -- less than half of women with early stage breast cancer whose records were evaluated received their full, recommended dose of potentially life-saving chemotherapy.

Researchers from the University of Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center conducted a comprehensive retrospective analysis and found that 56 percent of the 20,799 women treated for early stage breast cancer in 1,243 community-based oncology practices nationwide received less than 85 percent of their prescribed chemotherapy dose intensity due to treatment delays or dose reductions.

In 25 percent of the cases, patients saw treatment delays of more than a week and 37 percent had chemotherapy dose reductions due to common side effects of treatment, says Gary H. Lyman, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and director of the health services and outcomes research program at the Wilmot Cancer Center.

Previous studies have demonstrated that receiving less than 85 percent of the recommended dose intensity can result in lower survival rates for women with breast cancer.

The primary cause of chemotherapy delays and dose reductions is neutropenia, a shortage of infection-fighting white blood cells. This is a common, potentially serious side effect of chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy drugs are designed to destroy cancer cells,
'"/>

Contact: Leslie White
leslie_white@urmc.rochester.edu
585-273-1119
University of Rochester Medical Center
14-Dec-2003

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Study of energy and health in Africa focuses spotlight on charcoal and forest management
2. Study shows promise in identifying kidney failure
3. Study shows patch therapy may be as effective as oral medications
4. Study shows soy is well accepted in school lunches
5. Study finds that coordinating care of chronically ill patients does not increase liability
6. Study provides new estimates of the causes of child mortality worldwide
7. Study finds factors linked to substance use disorder relapse among health care professionals
8. Study finds majority of women willing to accept cervical cancer vaccine for self and children
9. Study shows use of budesonide reduced the risk of asthma related events by 40% in children
10. Study shows risk of cardiac death after radiation for breast cancer has dramatically decreased
11. Study shows acrylamide in baked and fried food does not increase risk of breast cancer in women