Improving data collection on recurrent and metastatic breast cancer

In November 2012, the DH England wrote to trust chief executives, GPs and breast multidisciplinary teams on steps to improve clinical care, outcomes and experience for patients diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.  The steps identified by the DH are:

• Information on a 6 month pilot study that took place to identify the extent to which information on recurrent and metastatic breast cancer is available through existing mandated NHS data sources and regional cancer registries
• Important steps that breast multidisciplinary teams, service providers and GPs in England should be taking now to support better collection and improved clinical care for patients with recurrent and metastatic breast cancer
• Information about measures to be incorporated by National Cancer Peer Review from 2013 to support improvements in data collection (through COSD), and in the clinical care provided for this group of patients
• Links to a toolkit aimed at nurses caring for patients with metastatic breast cancer

The aim must be both to obtain better measurement of outcomes from primary breast cancer treatment and to secure improvements in the multidisciplinary care and outcomes of those with recurrence or metastasis.

Website: DH England collection of data on recurrent and metastatic breast cancer