STATEMENT OF NEED/TARGET AUDIENCE

It is 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. It is also important for oncologists to recognize that heterogeneity exists in the oncology community, especially in clinical situations for which there is suboptimal 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 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 management strategies of community oncologists and cancer research leaders for the treatment of cancer.
• Discuss cancer management issues for which relative agreement and heterogeneity exist in patterns of care.
• Counsel cancer patients about multiple acceptable treatment options when they exist.

PURPOSE OF THIS ISSUE

The purpose of this issue of Patterns of Care is to support these objectives by comparing the perspectives of 200 randomly selected community medical oncologists interviewed in depth in August of 2004 with those of 31 breast cancer researchers surveyed, and to offer indepth commentary from faculty regarding their practice patterns in the management of breast cancer.

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, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and Genentech BioOncology.

OTHER FACULTY IN ADDITION TO THOSE COMPLETING THE SURVEY

Michael Baum, MD, ChM
Emeritus Professor of Surgery and
Visiting Professor of Medical Humanities
University College London
London, United Kingdom

J Michael Dixon, MD
Consultant Surgeon and Senior Lecturer
Academic Office
Edinburgh Breast Unit
Western General Hospital
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Anthony Howell, MD
Professor of Medical Oncology
University of Manchester
Manchester, England

Edith A Perez, MD
Professor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School
Director, Cancer Clinical Study Unit
Director, Breast Cancer Program, Division of
Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida

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.

CME FACULTY DISCLOSURES

As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, 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.

Michael Baum, MD, ChM: Grants/Research Support and Consultant: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Honorarium: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc. Joanne L Blum, MD, PhD: Speakers Bureau: American BioScience Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Myriad Genetics Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc, Sanofi-Aventis. Adam M Brufsky, MD, PhD: Grants/Research Support, Consultant, and Honorarium: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genentech BioOncology, Sanofi-Aventis. Harold J Burstein, MD, PhD: Grants/Research Support: Genentech BioOncology. J Michael Dixon, MD: Grants/Research Support: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc. Julie R Gralow, MD: Grants/Research Support and Consultant: Amgen Inc, Bristol- Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Roche Laboratories Inc, Sanofi- Aventis; Speakers Bureau: Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech BioOncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Ortho Biotech Products LP, Pfizer Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc, Sanofi-Aventis. Generosa Grana, MD: Grants/Research Support: Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Sanofi-Aventis; Speakers Bureau: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Sanofi- Aventis. Anthony Howell, MD: Consultant and Honorarium: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Speakers Bureau: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Stephen E Jones, MD: Consultant: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Honorarium: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Roche Laboratories Inc. Charles L Loprinzi, MD: No financial interests or affiliations to disclose. Gary H Lyman, MD, MPH: Grants/Research Support: Amgen Inc, Genomic Health Inc; Speakers Bureau: Amgen Inc, Ortho Biotech Products LP. Anne Moore, MD: Honorarium: Roche Laboratories Inc. Ann H Partridge, MD, MPH: No financial interests or affiliations to disclose. Edith A Perez, MD: Grants/ Research Support: Genentech BioOncology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-Aventis. Hope Rugo, MD: Grants/Research Support: Genentech BioOncology, Sanofi-Aventis; Honorarium: Abraxis Oncology, Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Genomic Health Inc.

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Breast Cancer Update Medical Oncology Educational Forum:
Controversies in Systemic Therapy of Breast Cancer
May 21, 2005

Beverly Hills, California
Event website: www.breastcancerupdate.com/cmemeetings