STATEMENT OF NEED/TARGET AUDIENCE

Breast cancer is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in oncology. Published results from a plethora of ongoing clinical trials lead to the continuous emergence of new therapeutic techniques, agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care — including the option of clinical trial participation — the practicing breast surgeon must be well informed of these advances. To bridge the gap between research and patient care, Breast Cancer Update for Surgeons utilizes one-on-one discussions with leading breast cancer investigators. By providing access to the latest research developments and expert perspectives, this CME program assists breast surgeons in the formulation of up-to-date clinical management strategies.

GLOBAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Critically evaluate the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in breast cancer in order to incorporate these data into management strategies in adjuvant and neoadjuvant disease.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about the availability of ongoing clinical trials.
• Counsel postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer about the risks and benefits of aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings and of switching to or sequencing aromatase inhibitors after tamoxifen.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about emerging clinical trial data and ongoing trials in the prevention and treatment of noninvasive (DCIS) and invasive breast cancer.
• Describe the computerized risk models and genetic markers to determine prognostic information on the quantitative risk of breast cancer relapse, and when applicable, utilize these to guide therapy decisions.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about availability and applicability of emerging research data on sentinel lymph node biopsy.
• Discuss the risks and benefits of partial breast irradiation and the clinical trials evaluating this technique with appropriately selected patients.

PURPOSE OF THIS ISSUE OF BREAST CANCER UPDATE FOR SURGEONS

The purpose of Issue 3 of Breast Cancer Update for Surgeons is to support these global objectives by offering the perspectives of Drs Simmons, Ravdin, Kuerer, Tripathy, Wickerham and Sainsbury on the integration of emerging clinical research data into the management of breast cancer.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY

This CME activity contains both audio and print components. To receive credit, the participant should listen to the CDs or tapes, review the monograph and complete the Post-test and Evaluation Form located in the back of this monograph or on our website. This monograph contains edited comments, clinical trial schemas, graphics and references that supplement the audio program. BreastCancerUpdate.com/Surgeons includes an easy-to-use, interactive version of this monograph with links to relevant full-text articles, abstracts, trial information and other web resources indicated here in blue underlined text.

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Editor:
Neil Love, MD

Interviews
Rache M Simmons, MD
- Select publications

Peter M Ravdin, MD, PhD
- Select publications

Henry M Kuerer, MD, PhD
- Select publications

Debu Tripathy, MD
- Select publications

D Lawrence Wickerham, MD
- Select publications

Richard Sainsbury, MD
- Select publications

CME Information

Faculty Disclosures

Editor's Office