This research reviewed data from the BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit (BQA) for cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2018 and 2019. Treatment was compared against the Quality Indicators published by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists in 2017 to see if care in Australia and New Zealand is meeting international standards.
Standards were met for:
- Multidisciplinary care (i.e. specialists across multiple areas of breast cancer care discuss and decide on patient treatment plans)
- Type of surgery chosen
- Avoiding over treating of cancer
- Use of radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
Standards were not met for:
- Use of chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).
In May 2023, the BQA was updated to collect more information about treatment before surgery. This will allow further research into how chemotherapy before surgery is being used in the region and how effective it is. It will also help to identify what might be stopping an increase in its use and how to improve in the future.
After the update, the BQA now also provides feedback to surgeons on their performance compared with their peers. This feedback will allow surgeons to review their practice and identify areas that might need improvement.
Reference:
Duffield JA, Blanch AJ, Bochner MA. Breast cancer care and surgery in Australia and New Zealand: compliance of the BreastSurgANZ quality audit with international standards. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Apr;93(4):881-888. doi: 10.1111/ans.18347. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36856199.