Aim
Cancer Australia Statements – influencing best practice cancer care is a flagship initiative of Cancer Australia reflecting commitment to leadership in cancer control. The Statements identify appropriate and inappropriate cancer practices to influence and enhance best practice cancer care across the continuum. The underlying rationale is to build a knowledge base to drive improvements which reduce unwarranted variations in cancer care and outcomes. Cancer Australia Statement – Influencing best practice in metastatic breast cancer (The Statement) aims to influence and support best practice care for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in Australia.
Methods
A multidisciplinary Expert Group was established to provide input and advice on the selection of practices for the Statement. A meta-list of 31 potential appropriate and inappropriate MBC practices was developed, informed by agreed selection criteria such as whether there is evidence of unwarranted variation and the practice is measurable.
Based on prioritisation criteria, such as evidence of benefit/harm, the Expert Group reached consensus on a short-list of practices. Input and support on the short-listed practices was sought from key stakeholders. A comprehensive search of national and international research publications to identify supporting evidence for each short-listed practice was undertaken. A rigorous assessment of each short-listed practice against the summaries of evidence and prioritisation criteria was performed, and informed the Expert Group’s selection of final practices for the Statement.
Results
The Statement includes appropriate and inappropriate practices. Each practice is supported by a summary which outlines why the practice is important, and the value to patients. Consumer information was also developed to support implementation and uptake of the Statement.
Conclusion
The Statement highlights key appropriate and inappropriate practices specific to MBC. The Statement represents agreed priority areas which, if implemented, would support appropriate patient-centred, multidisciplinary care and reduce unwarranted variations in practice.