"Ariadne's Thread": Psycho-educational Empowerment Intervention for Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

"Ariadne's thread" is a psycho-educational intervention designed by the Breast Unit and the Clinical Psychology Unit of an Italian Comprehensive Cancer Center and aims to promote empowerment in patients with metastatic breast cancer. It consists of 8 online meetings led by a psycho-oncologist in which informative sessions by patients' referring physicians alternate with moments of stress management techniques. This study aims to investigate (1) the feasibility of the "Ariadne's thread" pilot intervention and (2) the satisfaction and perceived benefits of the pilot intervention. We used a mixed method approach in which (1) it was detected: the number of acceptance to the single session of the intervention by both patients and professionals, the number of help requests by patients, and the number of change of date requests by professionals; (2) semi-structured interviews were conducted with the professionals who participated in the intervention; (3) 2 focus groups were conducted with patients, and (4) a questionnaire was submitted to each of them. The intervention is sustainable from the perspective of the organization, professionals, and patients. In particular, the patients declared perceiving benefits in many aspects: improved relationships with doctors, acceptance of their illness, learning of a relaxation technique, possibility to look at the world with trust and hope, etc. The questionnaires show an improvement in empowerment and satisfaction as a result of the intervention. "Ariadne's thread" is a psycho-educational intervention that effectively addresses the needs of patients with MBC. It can be applied to other contexts (1) if it has been confirmed that similar needs exist or (2) if it can be modified to accommodate other needs.

Adherence to Quality Indicators for Breast Cancer Management in a Multidisciplinary Training Program.

Background: The management of early breast cancer (BC) needs supervision and skill maintenance, and should be performed by specialists working as a team in multidisciplinary breast units. This approach aims to improve the long-term survival and quality of life of patients with BC. Methods: This was a prospective observational study including patients newly diagnosed with operable BC. The study encompassed the pre-surgical phase, throughout the diagnostic and surgical workout, and included post-therapeutic master multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) sessions, between 2019 and 2022. Results: We enrolled 280 patients with BC from eight breast units. The Senonetwork indicators regarding diagnosis, waiting time, loco-regional treatment, and adjuvant therapy were collected for each patient discussed. Conclusions: Overall, the majority of quality indicators were respected among breast units. The most critical issue referred to timing indicators: more than 30 days from MTM to surgery, more than 42 days from diagnosis to surgery, and more than 60 days from the first screening mammogram to surgery for many patients. Some aspects of the histopathological diagnosis of intraductal BC also need to be improved. Furthermore, other critical issues in our study regarded some aesthetical indicators, demonstrating low interest in these essential quality indicators.

Self-assessment of a breast care nursing model within a Breast Unit: learning process and keys to improving breast care.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the adherence of a nursing care model in a multidisciplinary breast cancer unit in a tertiary hospital to the recommended competencies and quality indicators. BACKGROUND: Aligning the competencies of the breast care nurse with international recommendations for this role helps better fulfil patient needs, increases satisfaction and ensures continuity of care. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Breast care nursing was assessed in all patients treated at the Functional Breast Unit from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Patients were followed for 1 year. Sociodemographic, clinical and pathological data, treatments performed and nursing interventions were collected. The strobe checklist has been used to report this study. RESULTS: We analysed nursing interventions carried out in 382 patients attended over 1 year in a multidisciplinary breast cancer unit. All patients with early disease had contact with the nurse at different times during their primary treatment. Only 58% of patients with advanced disease had contact with the nurse during their first year of illness. Moreover, first contact with the nurse was delayed by more than a week from diagnosis, the interval recommended by international guidelines. CONCLUSION: The nursing care model meets the core competencies defined for the breast care nurse in patients with early breast cancer, but the first visit should be organised earlier, and follow-up should extend beyond completion of primary treatment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study evaluated the breast care nurse model in one breast cancer unit according to international guidelines. Nursing care adhered to most guideline requirements in patients with early breast cancer, but not in those with advanced disease. New models of care need to be developed for women with advanced breast cancer in order to achieve true patient-centred care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No contribution from the patient or the public because the data collected was entered into the clinical history by the health professionals of the Breast Unit as part of their usual clinical practice.

Multidisciplinary Team Meeting Proposal and Final Therapeutic Choice in Early Breast Cancer: Is There an Agreement?

Background: A multidisciplinary team meeting (MDM) approach in breast cancer (BC) management is a standard of care. One of the roles of MDMs is to identify the best diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients (pts) with new diagnosis of early BC. The purpose of this study was to define whether there was an agreement between the planned program (i.e., MDMs-based decision) and that actually applied. In addition, the study explored factors associated with discordance. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a consecutive series of 291 patients with new diagnosis of early BC, discussed at MDMs at the University Hospital of Udine (Italy), from January 2017 to June 2018. The association between clinico-biological factors and discordance between what was decided during the MDMs and what was consequently applied by the oncologist was explored through uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: The median age was 62 years (range 27-88 years). Among invasive early BC patients, the most frequent phenotype was luminal A (38%), followed by luminal B (33%), HER2-positive (12%), and triple-negative (5%). In situ carcinoma (DCIS) represented 12% of cases. The median time from MDM discussion to first oncologic examination was 2 weeks. The rate of discordance between MDM-based decision and final choice, during a face-to-face consultation with the oncologist, was 15.8% (46/291). The most frequent reason for changing the MDM-based program was clinical decision (87%). Follow-up was preferred to the chemotherapy (CT) proposed within the MDMs in 15% of cases, and to the endocrine therapy (ET) in 39% of cases (among these, 44.5% had a diagnosis of DCIS). Therapeutic change from sequential CT-ET to ET alone was chosen in 16/46 pts (35%): among these patients, seven had a luminal B disease and six had an HER2-positive disease. On univariate analysis, factors associated with discordance were values of Ki-67 14%-30% (OR 3.91; 95% CI 1.19-12.9), age >70 years (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.28-4.63), housewife/retired status (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.14-4.85), polypharmacy (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.02-3.72), postmenopausal status (OR 4.15; 95% CI 1.58-10.9), and high Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.09-1.57). The association with marital status, educational level, alcohol and smoke habits, presence of a caregiver, parity, grading, histotype and phenotype, and stage was not statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, only Ki-67 value maintained its statistical significance. Conclusion: The results of our study could be useful for enhancing the role of MDMs in the clinical decision-making process in early BC.

Calidad de atención y mejora continua en el abordaje integral del cáncer de mama: Evaluación de indicadores en una Unidad de Mastología / Quality of care and continous improvement in a comprehensive approach of breast cancer management: evaluation of indicators in a breast center

Introducción: las Unidades de Mastología son organizaciones que tienen por objetivo abordar la patología mamaria de manera multidisciplinaria e integral. A nivel mundial se han implementado programas para evaluar la calidad de atención a través del cumplimiento de indicadores propuestos por Sociedades Científicas u organismos gubernamentales. Algunos de estos han sido propuestos y revisados por la Sociedad Europea de Mastología (EUSOMA). Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de atención de la Unidad de Mastología del Hospital Juan A. Fernández a través del análisis de una serie de indicadores propuestos por EUSOMA como estándares de calidad de atención en centros de patología mamaria. Material y método: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo analizando la base de datos de las pacientes con cáncer de mama estadios 0 a III operadas entre 2015 y 2019. Se analizaron 25 indicadores de procesos propuestos por EUSOMA en 2017. Se registraron las características de la población, y el porcentaje de pacientes en las cuales se cumple la condición de cada uno de los indicadores. Se registró si el indicador alcanza o supera el mínimo estándar, o si alcanza o supera el valor ideal. Resultados: se evaluaron 284 pacientes. Se observó el cumplimiento de la mayoría de los estándares propuestos (18 de 25), alcanzando o superando en el 25% de los indicadores evaluados el valor ideal. Se lograron alcanzar los estándares de calidad de atención relacionados con el diagnóstico clínico y preoperatorio, caracterización anatomopatológica completa en carcinoma invasor, evaluación multidisciplinaria, tratamiento quirúrgico primario en carcinoma invasor e in situ. Se alcanzaron los objetivos tendientes a evitar el sobretratamiento quirúrgico en carcinoma invasor y en cirugía conservadora en carcinoma in situ. En relación a los tratamientos adyuvantes, se alcanzaron los estándares relacionados con radioterapia post cirugía conservadora y post mastectomía, así como también el tratamiento con hormonoterapia y quimioterapia. El seguimiento de los pacientes se realizó en tiempo en tiempo y forma de acuerdo al indicador establecido. Existen 3 indicadores de calidad obligatorios en los que no se alcanzó el estándar mínimo: se observó la necesidad de mejorar la accesibilidad a los tratamientos antiHer2neu en neoadyuvancia, y de reducir los tiempos de espera al inicio del tratamiento. Conclusiones: se observó el cumplimiento de la mayoría de los estándares propuestos. Dado que existen indicadores obligatorios en los que no se alcanzó el estándar mínimo, los esfuerzos primarios deberán centrarse prioritaria e inicialmente en diseñar una planificación que permita alcanzar estos objetivos, así como también mantener en el tiempo los valores positivos ya alcanzados. Se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar políticas a nivel sanitario nacional que permitan mejorar la accesibilidad a medicación oncológica. A su vez, destacamos la importancia de definir indicadores propios con valores ajustados a las características de nuestro país y mantener una evaluación periódica de la calidad de atención a través de los mismos.

Introduction: Breast Units are organizations that manage Breast Cancer in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Worlwide, programs have been developed in order to evaluate quality of care through the achievement of certain standards of care that have been proposed by scientific organizations, medical associations or government health departments. Some of these indicators have beeb proposed by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialist (EUSOMA). Objective: to evaluate quality of care in the Breast Unit at Hospital Juan A Fernández (Buenos Aires, Argentina) through the analysis of a series of indicators described by EUSOMA as standard of care in breast centers. Material and method: we performed a descriptive, retrospective analysis of our database including patients with breast cancer stage 0 to III that wer treated between 2015 and 2019. We studied 25 quality of care process indicators proposed by EUSOMA in 2017. We registered population characteristics and the percentage of patients in which each indicator mínimum requirements were achieved. We also studied whether our results achieved or were beyond the ideal targets for each indicator. Results: a total of 284 patients were evaluated. The mínimum standard of care was achieved in most of the evaluated indicators (18 of 25) and in 25% of these, our results achieved or exce3ded the ideal requirements. The indicators in which the mínimum or ideal standard of care was accomplished were regarding clinical and preoperative diagnosis anatomopathological characterisation in invasive breast cancer, multidisciplinary approach, primary surgical management in invasive and in situ breast cancer, avoidanc of overtreatement in invasive breast cancer and breast conserving therapy in carcinoma in situ. Regarding adjuvant treatment, the standard of care was achieved in radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery and after mastectomy, endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. The follow up timing was according to the indicator. There were 3 mandatory indicators in which the mínimum standards were not achieved and were regarding accesibility to anti Her2neu agents in neoadjuvant setting, and timing form diagnosis to firts treatment. Conclusions: we observed that out Breast Unit achieved most of the quality of care indicators described by EUSOMA. However, there 3 mandatory indicators where the results were below the mínimum. This is why future efforts should be focused on designing and planning new measures that will allow these objectives to be accomplished, as well as maintaining what has already been achived. Our results also show the imperious need to implement national public health pólices that would grant a better accesiblility to oncologic medications. We also analysed the importance of defining our own local quality of care indicators in relation to our health policies and current situation, as well as the importance of a continuous evaluation of quality of care through these indicators.

Radiology management of a 'breast unit' during COVID-19 pandemic: a single institution experience.

Aim: To describe the activity in the 'breast unit' at the department of radiology during the COVID-19 lockdown in a university hospital treating COVID-19 patients in a Middle-Eastern developing country. Materials: This was a retrospective study conducted from March 9 until 11 May 2020, in the breast unit at the department of radiology of a central university hospital in a Middle-Eastern developing country. Data were collected from 205 patients visiting the breast unit during the lockdown period and compared with the activity in the same period in the previous year. Results: Reduction of the breast unit activity was estimated at 73%. In addition, 153 mammograms, 205 ultrasounds, and 16 breast MRIs were done. Indications for mammogram were screening (41.5%), follow-up (22%), clinical symptoms (20%) and breast cancer surveillance (16.5%). MRI was performed mostly for preoperative surgical management. The rate of positive biopsies was 41%. All staff members and patients have accommodated to new adjustments. Conclusion: Activity in the breast unit dropped during the lockdown period. Staff should continue to seek their own and their patient's safety without diminishing the quality of healthcare.

The role of relational routines in hindering transdisciplinary collaboration: the case of the setting up of a team in an Italian Breast Unit.

Interprofessional teamwork is one of the main characteristics of centers specialized in the treatment of breast cancer, known as Breast Units, which since 2016 European legislation has made mandatory for Member States. However, interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP) has often been applied in traditional healthcare contexts on the basis of mono-disciplinary approaches. This paper reports the results of a case study of an Italian Breast Unit carried out through a qualitative research strategy. To understand the case being studied in its complexity the data were drawn from multiple sources of evidence: documents, in-depth interviews with Breast Unit members and field notes from the participant observation of team meetings. The case study shows that, despite the healthcare organization promoting interprofessional collaboration through the creation of protocols, organizational environments and structures aimed at encouraging communication and collaboration between the professionals of the team, a series of older routine relational practices remain. These are based on traditional communication models, cultural and professional barriers between members of the team, which hinder the development of innovative ICPs, thus preventing professionals from seeing the need for change in their relational practices towards a trans-disciplinary approach.

Variability in breast cancer surgery training across Europe: An ESSO-EUSOMA international survey.

BACKGROUND: At present there is a lack of standardization of training in breast cancer surgery across Europe. The aim of this survey was to assess current practice in Europe regarding training in breast cancer (BC) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: General surgeons, surgical oncologists, gynecologist, and plastic surgeons in Europe were invited to participate in this bespoke survey including 19 questions. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 3.000 surgical oncologists across Europe. A total of 671 physicians (387 general surgeons, 152 gynecologists, 126 surgical oncologist, 31 plastic surgeons) answered the survey (23% response rate). Four hundred and sixty-eight physicians devoted between 50% -100% of their job to treating breast cancer. 45% worked in a community/University hospital within a dedicated Breast Unit. Specific additional breast surgery training was not universal: 20% had undertaken an accredited breast fellowship, 30% in a Breast Unit as a trainee, 21% had done additional courses, masters or diploma and 8% had not done any additional training. The majority (61%) of respondents worked in Units treating >150 BC cases per year, while 26% of the responders treat >120 new primary cases per year, and 23% less than 50 new cases a year. Multivariate analysis showed that breast surgeons working in a Breast Unit and treating more than 50 cases/year significantly performed oncoplastic procedures. CONCLUSION: There is a great variability in breast cancer surgery training in Europe. It is imperative to develop quality standards for breast cancer surgery training to ensure that patients get standardized and certified surgical management regardless of the country in which they are treated.

Patient satisfaction with a rapid diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions: Association with distress and anxiety.

Few studies have explored with standard measures patient satisfaction with care at the time of the diagnosis through rapid diagnostic pathways. This study aimed to assess satisfaction levels at the time of the diagnosis in a One-Stop Breast Unit and to examine associations with psychological states. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted at a single center's One-Stop Breast Unit, to assess patient satisfaction regarding several aspects of the Unit. Two days after the diagnosis, 113 participants completed self-reported questionnaires evaluating satisfaction (Out-Patsat35), anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory), and psychological distress (Distress Thermometer). Overall, patients were very satisfied (80.7±20.7) with the One-Stop Breast Unit. The highest mean satisfaction scores concerned nurses' technical skills, interpersonal skills and availability. The lowest mean scores concerned physicians' availability, waiting time, and the provision of information. The results revealed a significant association between high state anxiety levels, lower levels of satisfaction with doctors' interpersonal skills (r=-.41, P<.001) and lower levels for information provided by nurses (r=-.38, P<.001). Moreover, greater psychological distress was associated with less satisfaction with the different aspects of care (doctors' interpersonal skills, doctors' availability and waiting-time). The results of regression models showed that doctor-related satisfaction scales explained 20% of the variance in anxiety (P<.01). Facing cancer diagnosis remains a stressful situation. However, our study suggested that a substantial part of this anxiety is sensitive to the quality of the patient-doctor relationship. Consequently, further efforts should be expended on adapting patient-doctor communication to improve patient reassurance.

Organizational and welfare mode of breast centers network: a survey of Sicilian radiologists.

The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists has created quality indicators for breast units to establish the minimum standards of care for patients. In Italy, each region differs, indeed, in terms of health care and services warranted to patients suffering from breast cancer. Since Sicilian Regional Administration today is still disregarding implementation of the provisions contained in the proposal of the Ministry of Health entitled "Guidelines on Organizational and Health Care Methods of Breast Centers Network" in November 2015 the Sicilian Regional Group of the Italian Society of Radiology (SIRM) decided to carry out a survey to see the position of the Sicilian Healthcare System and define the gap to bridge over. Sicilian breast imaging radiologists were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning the type of job relationship (public or private sector), qualification (Manager, Department Manager, Freelancer) and years of experience on breast imaging. With regard to technological requirements, were answered the questions about the number, type, age and completeness of accessories of the equipment supplied in the Sicilian healthcare facilities. The data showed that over 64% of breast imagers in Sicilian centers work in breast units, whereas only 18% are involved in screening programs. A majority of radiologists (81%) working in the breast health care system is very experienced (more than 10 years of experience in the field). The result provided concerning the medical and technical staff demonstrates an uneven situation, but overall an inadequate value compared with the required guidelines especially in interventional procedures. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the method used and the results obtained. These data have to be shared with policy makers to enhance quality improvement in Sicilian Breast Center Network.

The superparamagnetic iron oxide tracer: a valid alternative in sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer treatment.

The European Union has determined that from 2016 breast cancer patients should be treated in Specialist Breast Units that achieve the minimum standards for the mandatory quality indicators as defined by Eusoma. The existing standard for axillary lymph node staging in breast cancer is sentinel node biopsy (SNB), performed using Technetium-sulphur colloid (99m Tc) alone or with blue dye. The major limits of radioisotope consist in the problems linked to radioactivity, in the shortage of tracer and nuclear medicine units. Among existing alternative tracers, SentiMag® , which uses superparamagnetic iron oxide particles, can represent a valid option for SNB. We conducted a paired, prospective, multicentre study to evaluate the non-inferiority of SentiMag® vs. 99m Tc. The primary end point was the detection rate (DR) per patient. The study sample consists of 193 women affected by breast carcinoma with negative axillary assessment. The concordance rate per patients between 99m Tc and SentiMag® was 97.9%. The DR per patient was 99.0% for 99m Tc and 97.9% for SentiMag® . SentiMag® appears to be non-inferior to the radiotracer and safe. While 99m Tc remains the standard, SentiMag® DR appears adequate after a minimum learning curve. In health care settings where nuclear medicine units are not available, SentiMag/Sienna+® allows effective treatment of breast cancer patients.

Outcomes of patients with inflammatory breast cancer treated by breast-conserving surgery.

PURPOSE: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare and associated with a poor prognosis. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, the multidisciplinary team selected a small number of patients for breast-conservation therapy (BCT). The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of IBC patients treated with BCT in Edinburgh. METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2013, thirty-five women with IBC were treated by BCT. The median follow-up was 80 months. RESULTS: The 5-year actuarial survival for the 35 patients was 70.3 %. Median survival for 20 neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients was 12.9 years (95 % CI 7.6, 18.1), and for 14 patient neoadjuvant endocrine therapy patients, it was 11.8 years (95 % CI 1.1, 22.6) (p = 0.34). Five patients developed locoregional recurrence (LRR) between 11 and 72 months after BCT (median 37 months). Three had breast only recurrence, one patient had both breast and axillary recurrence, and one developed axillary recurrence. The 5-year LR-free survival was 87.5 % (95 % CI 76.0, 99.0). In 4 of the 5 patients with LRR, systemic metastases were diagnosed within 6 months and survival post-LRR in these 4 patients was short. CONCLUSION: IBC is not an absolute contraindication to BCT. LRR in patients after BCT appears part of widespread recurrent disease rather than inadequate local treatment. Multicentre data should be collected to confirm that women with IBC who have a good response to systemic therapy may be offered BCT in the knowledge that in a larger series our observations are confirmed.

Diagnostic and therapeutic path of breast cancer: effectiveness, appropriateness, and costs--results from the DOCMa study.

OBJECTIVE: An increase in breast cancer incidence has been documented in Italy and in other countries, and some women decide by themselves to undergo diagnostic examinations outside the official screening campaigns. The aim of this paper was to analyze - in terms of effectiveness, appropriate access, and related costs - the path spontaneously followed by a sample of Italian women for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 143 women who consecutively referred themselves to the breast cancer outpatient facilities at the Sant'Andrea University Hospital in Rome from May to June 2007 were enrolled in the study, gave their consent, and were screened according to their individual risk factors for breast cancer. The entire diagnostic and therapeutic path followed in the previous 2 years by each of them, either at Sant'Andrea or in other medical facilities, was reviewed and evaluated in terms of its operative efficiency and fair economic value. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 47.5 years (standard deviation 13.6 years); 55% of the women were <50 years old (28% <40 years), and were thus not included in the official screening campaigns; 97 women (70%) were requesting a routine control; and 49% of them had already undergone four to seven examinations before the enrollment, although no major risk factor was present in 73.5%. After enrollment in the study, nine of the patients had surgical interventions performed on them at Sant'Andrea's, identifying five invasive carcinomas and two ductal in situ carcinomas and two benign lesions. Operative efficiency and fair economic value were found to be optimal only in diagnostic/therapeutic paths followed at Sant'Andrea. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic path at Sant'Andrea's specialized center for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy is characterized by higher operative efficiency and more sustainable costs than at general hospitals, outpatient facilities run by local health authorities, or private medical centers. This result seems to confirm the present tendency to refer high-risk patients for breast cancer directly to breast units like the one at Sant'Andrea.