STATEMENT OF NEED/TARGET AUDIENCE

Medical oncology is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in medicine. Published results from a plethora of ongoing clinical trials lead to the continuous emergence of new therapeutic agents and changes in the indications for existing treatments. In order to offer optimal patient care, the practicing medical oncologist must be well-informed of these advances and aware of the everexpanding spectrum of options available to treat their patients.

It is also important for practicing oncologists to be aware of similarities and differences between his or her practice patterns, those of others in community practice and those of breast cancer clinical research leaders. While there is often agreement, it is important for oncologists to recognize the heterogeneity that exists in the oncology community, especially in clinical situations for which there is suboptimal existing research evidence.

This program focuses on the self-described practice patterns of randomly selected medical oncologists on a variety of key clinical issues in cancer. Also included is research leader commentary and references addressing these issues. This CME program will provide medical oncologists with information on national cancer patterns of care in order to assist with the development of clinical management strategies.

GLOBAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE PATTERNS OF CARE SERIES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Compare and contrast a management strategy for the treatment of cancer patients to that of other community oncologists and cancer research leaders.
• Discuss cancer management issues for which there is relative agreement and those for which there is heterogeneity in patterns of care.
• Counsel cancer patients about multiple acceptable treatment options when they exist.

PURPOSE OF THIS ISSUE OF PATTERNS OF CARE

The purpose of this issue of Patterns of Care is to support these objectives by offering the perspectives of 150 randomly selected medical oncologists interviewed in-depth in March of 2004 regarding their practice patterns in the management of breast cancer.

HOW TO USE THIS MONOGRAPH

This monograph is the first issue of a CME series activity. To receive credit for this issue, the participant should read the monograph and complete the evaluation located in the back of this book or on our website BreastCancerUpdate.com/POC.

This monograph contains data from a national patterns of care survey of oncologists with related commentary from breast cancer research leaders and supplemental references. PowerPoint files of the graphics contained in this document can be downloaded at BreastCancerUpdate.com/POC.

SPONSORSHIP STATEMENT

Sponsored by Research To Practice.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Research To Practice is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Research To Practice designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.5 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

This program is supported by education grants from American Pharmaceutical Partners Inc, Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, and Genentech BioOncology.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

As a provider accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of Research To Practice to require the disclosure of any significant financial interest or any other relationship the sponsor or faculty members have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation.

Neil Love, MD
Course Director/Editor
President, Research To Practice

Research To Practice receives education grants for these and other CME activities from American Pharmaceutical Partners Inc, Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, and Genentech BioOncology.

All quotations from research leaders are excerpts from prior CME activities unless otherwise indicated. Affiliations and financial disclosures for these individuals can be found at BreastCancerUpdate.com/POC.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This material is protected by copyright. No part of this program may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or utilizing any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner.

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management.

Any procedures, medications or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patients’ conditions and possible contraindications or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS DISCUSSED IN THIS PROGRAM

This educational activity includes discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantor.