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 patterns of cancer 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 200 randomly selected medical oncologists interviewed at length in August of 2004 regarding their practice patterns in the management of breast cancer as well as the perspectives of Drs Carlson and O’Shaughnessy on these issues.

HOW TO USE THIS MONOGRAPH

This monograph is one 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 PatternsofCare.com. PowerPoint files of the graphics contained in this document can be downloaded at PatternsofCare.com.

SPONSORSHIP STATEMENT

Sponsored by Research To Practice.

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 2.25 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 Abraxis Oncology, Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and Genentech BioOncology.

FACULTY AFFILIATIONS AND DISCLOSURES

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 Abraxis Oncology, Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Biogen Idec Inc, Genentech BioOncology, Roche Laboratories Inc and Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc.

Robert W Carlson, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Oncology and Stanford Medical
Informatics Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, California

Grants/Research Support:
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc, Eli Lilly and Company Honorarium: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Joyce A O’Shaughnessy, MD
Co-Director, Breast Cancer Research Program
Baylor-Charles A Sammons Cancer Center
US Oncology
Dallas, Texas

Speakers Bureau:
Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Laboratories Inc

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. A complete listing of agents discussed in this monograph with generic and trade names and manufacturers can be found here.