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As most women are DM‐free five years after diagnosis, estimates of longer term risk are needed. Meta‐analyses of adjuvant therapy trials have provided estimates for breast cancer subtypes, including oestrogen receptor (ER)‐positive tumours at twenty years and HER2‐positive tumours at ten years. However, population estimates are essential for understanding the prognosis for all women with breast cancer.

Risk factor information, such as cancer stage and receptor status, informs prognostic discussions at diagnosis. However, DM risk changes with time, and is greatest during the years immediately following diagnosis. Information that takes into account the time a person has remained DM‐free is accordingly most relevant for prognostic discussions during follow‐up after primary breast cancer treatment. People who develop DM also need information about expected survival.

This MJA research article shares more.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the research
2. List main findings
3. Recognise changes in management in response to the research.

Details

Authors: Sarah (Sally) J Lord, Benjamin Daniels, Belinda E Kiely, Dianne L O'Connell, Jane Beith, Sallie Pearson, Kim‐Lin Chiew, Max K Bulsara and Nehmat Houssami

Article Type: Research