STATEMENT OF NEED / TARGET AUDIENCE

Medical oncology, particularly breast cancer, is one of the most rapidly advancing and developing fields of medicine. The constant emergence of new systemic agents, new indications for existing systemic agents, novel therapies, clinical trials and research findings demands that oncology nurses remain dedicated to continuing education in order to offer their patients the best care possible. This program provides registered nurses access to the most up-to-date research developments in breast cancer and the opinions of oncology nurses and research leaders with experience and expertise in the field. This information can be effectively translated into everyday patient management decisions.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

To present the most current research developments in breast cancer and to provide the perspectives of medical oncologists, oncology nurses and patients on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR THIS ISSUE OF BREAST CANCER UPDATE FOR ONCOLOGY NURSES

• Discuss the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in breast cancer treatment and how to incorporate these data into management strategies in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, metastatic and preventive settings.
• Describe ongoing clinical trials available to patients with breast cancer.
• Explain the risks and benefits of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and of sequencing aromatase inhibitors after tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer.
• Review the risks and benefits of adjuvant ovarian suppression alone or with other endocrine interventions.
• Describe an algorithm for HER2 testing and treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Discuss the selection and sequencing of endocrine therapy in appropriate patients with metastatic disease.
• Describe the risks and benefits of combination versus single-agent chemotherapy.
• Describe the computerized risk models and genetic markers to determine prognostic information on the quantitative risk of breast cancer relapse.
• Explain the risks and benefits of incorporating bevacizumab into standard chemotherapy for the management of metastatic disease.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

CNA/ANCC

This educational activity for 3.3 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM). PIM is an approved provider of continuing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

California Board of Registered Nursing

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485, for 3.3 contact hours.

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better. Your statement of credit will be mailed to you within three weeks.

HOW TO USE THIS CNE ACTIVITY

This is an audio CNE activity. This book contains a continuing nursing education post-test, and the corresponding website www.BreastCancerUpdate.com/Nurses includes links to relevant full-text articles and abstracts. There are no fees for participating and receiving CNE credit for this activity. To receive credit during the period of March 2006 through March 2007, participants should read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures, listen to the CDs, review the internet references and complete the post-test and evaluation form located in the back of this book or on the www.BreastCancerUpdate.com/Nurses website and mail or fax the evaluation form to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.