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Breast cancer--biology and malpractice
1Memorial Cancer Research Foundation of Southern California, Inc., Los Angeles.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
True breast cancer cure remains elusive, as survival rates show long-term risk and few patients die from other causes. Rising incidence and potential mortality increases necessitate cautious interpretation of cure claims.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Five-year survival rates are often misconstrued as definitive cure for breast cancer.
- Breast cancer incidence has been rising for over five decades, with a potential increase in mortality on the horizon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the definition and evidence of breast cancer cure.
- To assess the implications of current survival metrics and treatment expectations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review analyzing long-term relative survival trends in breast cancer patients.
- Examination of the methodological limitations of key studies, such as the Health Insurance Plan study.
Main Results:
- Relative survival for breast cancer demonstrates a negative slope for over 30 years, indicating ongoing risk and suggesting incurability.
- Fewer than 20% of diagnosed women achieve a 'personal cure' by surviving breast cancer and dying from unrelated causes.
Conclusions:
- The strict definition of breast cancer cure (elimination of death hazard) is not met by current evidence.
- Overstated treatment expectations, coupled with potential worsening mortality, may lead to increased medical malpractice claims.