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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 management strategies in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, metastatic and preventive settings.
• Counsel postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer about the risks and benefits of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and of switching to or 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 appropriately selected patients with metastatic disease about selection and sequencing of endocrine therapy and chemotherapies and about the risks and benefits of chemotherapeutic agents and combinations.
• 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 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation 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, review the monograph and complete the post-test and evaluation form located in the back of this monograph or on our website. This monograph contains edited comments, clinical trial schemas, graphics and references that supplement the audio program. www.MeetTheProfessors.com includes an easy-to-use interactive version of this monograph with links to relevant full-text articles, abstracts, trial information and other web resources indicated here in blue underlined text. This activity also contains clinical investigator PowerPoint presentations.