Variation in the management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) of the breast occur at both national and international levels.The aim of this study HEALTHY HAIR W JOJOBA is to determine the degree of, and reasons behind, this variation in the workup and treatment of DCIS among Canadian surgeons.We developed a 35-question survey involving the pre-, peri, and post-operative management of DCIS using SurveyMonkey®.The survey was sent out via email and responses were analyzed using SurveyMonkey® and Microsoft Excel.
51/119 (43%) of the Canadian General Surgeons contacted participated in this study.Some variation was observed in the utilization of pre-operative imaging with 29/48 (60%) surgeons routinely using ultrasound.Perceived contraindications to breast conserving therapy also varied with multicentricity (54%) and the presence of diffuse microcalcifications (13%).Nearly all respondent’s (98%) patients had access to immediate breast reconstruction following Bookmark a mastectomy but 14/48 (29%) of respondents’ patients were required to travel a mean distance of 300 km to undergo the procedure.
Substantial variation was also seen during follow-up with half (52%) of surgeons following up patients for >1 month in their surgical clinic.There is considerable variation in the management of DCIS among Canadian Surgeons.The present study indicates the need for pan-Canadian, evidence-based guidelines to ensure a standardized management strategy for patients with DCIS.