Meet The Professors: A case-based discussion on the management of breast cancer in the adjuvant and metastatic settings

STATEMENT OF NEED / TARGET AUDIENCE

Breast cancer is one of the most rapidly evolving fields in medical oncology. 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 — including the option of clinical trial participation — the practicing medical oncologist must be well informed of these advances. In order to incorporate research advances into developing treatment strategies for patients, the CME program Meet The Professors utilizes case-based discussions between community oncologists and research leaders.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Critically evaluate the clinical implications of emerging clinical trial data in breast cancer treatment and incorporate these data into a management strategy in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Counsel appropriately selected patients about the availability of ongoing clinical trials.
• Counsel postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer about the risks and benefits of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and of sequencing aromatase inhibitors after tamoxifen, and counsel premenopausal women about the risks and benefits of adjuvant ovarian suppression alone or with other endocrine interventions.
• Describe and implement an algorithm for HER2 testing and treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Evaluate the emerging data on various adjuvant chemotherapy approaches, including dose-dense treatment and the use of taxanes, and explain the absolute risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens to patients.
• Counsel appropriate patients with metastatic disease about selection and sequencing of endocrine therapy and about the risks and benefits of combination versus single-agent chemotherapy.
• Describe the computerized risk models and genetic markers to determine prognostic information on the quantitative risk of breast cancer relapse, and when applicable, utilize these to guide therapy decisions.

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 3.25 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.

HOW TO USE THIS MONOGRAPH

This CME activity contains both audio and print components. To receive credit, the participant should listen to the CDs or tapes and complete the evaluation form in this booklet or on our website, www.MeetTheProfessors.com.