Follow up of breast cancer in primary care vs specialist care: results of an economic evaluation

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing primary-care-centred follow-u p of breast cancer patients with the current standard practice of specialis t-centred follow-up showed no increase in delay in diagnosing recurrence, a nd no increase in anxiety or deterioration in health-related quality of lif e. An economic evaluation of the two schemes of follow-up was conducted con current with the RCT. Because the RCT found no difference in the primary cl inical outcomes, a cost minimization analysis was conducted. Process measur es of the quality of care such as frequency and length of visits were super ior in primary care. Costs to patients and to the health service were lower in primary care. There was no difference in total costs of diagnostic test s, with particular tests being performed more frequently in primary care th an in specialist care. Data are provided on the average frequency and lengt h of visits, and frequency of diagnostic testing for breast cancer patients during the follow-up period.