Medscape Hematology-Oncology™ is pleased to present the latest update to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Breast Cancer Guideline, Version 2.2008, released in January 2008. The updated Guideline, available on Medscape, was developed by a panel of 26 multidisciplinary breast cancer experts from NCCN Member Institutions. The panel met for 2 days in August 2007 to review evidence and formulate updated recommendations. All NCCN Guidelines are updated continuously, but at least once a year, with additional updates published when important new data that change practice standards are released. The update process includes extensive review of the current Guideline via institutional reviews at NCCN Member Institutions, review of recently published data, and formal input from the patient advocacy community. An agenda for the panel meeting is developed and panel members are assigned to present data regarding each agenda item. Relevant publications and results of the institutional review are distributed to panel members before the meeting.
The published NCCN Guideline has 3 parts: an algorithm that follows the step-by-step clinical decision-making process; a manuscript that discusses the data the recommendations are based on and the issues that were considered by the panel; and a bibliography. Each recommendation is categorized according to both the level of evidence supporting the recommendation and the degree of consensus among the Member Institutions that the recommendation is appropriate.
All panel members volunteer their time and expertise and accept no compensation for their efforts. They declare any potential conflicts of interest both in writing and verbally to each other. Panel members may be excluded from discussion of related topics if it is perceived that they have a significant conflict, at the discretion of the chair. Data may be submitted to the panel by the community, patient advocacy organizations, or industry representatives. Industry representatives are not allowed to participate in the panel discussions, nor are they allowed to make presentations to the panel. The panel has sole responsibility for evaluating data and determining the content of the NCCN Guideline.
Guideline development is completely supported by NCCN Member Institution dues to NCCN. NCCN may accept industry funding only for dissemination of the NCCN Guidelines.
The NCCN Breast Cancer Guideline is one of the Complete Library of NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™, which is available free of charge at www.nccn.org. The most recent version of each NCCN Guideline is always available on NCCN’s website.
Click here to view: National Comprehensive Cancer Network Breast Cancer Guideline, Version 2.2008
