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Recommendation
Surveillance tests and imaging in asymptomatic patients
In patients who have been treated for breast cancer and who are not experiencing symptoms, do not perform intensive testing (full blood count, biochemistry or tumour markers) or intensive imaging (chest x-ray, PET, CT or radionuclide bone scans), as part of standard follow-up.
It is recommended that primary care clinicians should not offer routine laboratory tests or imaging, except mammography if indicated, for the detection of disease recurrence in the absence of symptoms (Level of evidence 2A – NCCN guideline)
Not appropriate to perform intensive testing (full blood count, biochemistry or tumour markers) or imaging (chest x-ray, PET, CT and radionuclide blood scans) as part of standard follow-up of patients which have been treated for early breast cancer and who are not experiencing symptoms
Based upon lower-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate
How this guidance was developed
This recommendation was adapted from the ACS/ASCO 2016 guidelines (US). The source recommendation was based on a systematic review of the evidence conducted to April 2015 and was not graded by the source guideline authors. The source recommendation was adapted by using language consistent with the 2017 Cancer Australia Statement – Influencing best practice in breast cancer: Practice 12, and to reflect the fact that all clinicians, not just GPs, can be responsible for patient follow-up.
Surveillance tests and imaging in asymptomatic patients
Recommendation
In patients who have been treated for breast cancer and who are not experiencing symptoms, do not perform intensive testing (full blood count, biochemistry or tumour markers) or intensive imaging (chest x-ray, PET, CT or radionuclide bone scans), as part of standard follow-up.
Principles in action
Safe and quality care
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Communication
This recommendation was adapted from the ACS/ASCO 2016 guidelines (US). The source recommendation was based on a systematic review of the evidence conducted to April 2015 and was not graded by the source guideline authors. The source recommendation was adapted by using language consistent with the 2017 Cancer Australia Statement – Influencing best practice in breast cancer: Practice 12, and to reflect the fact that all clinicians, not just GPs, can be responsible for patient follow-up.