Since original publication this guideline has been partially updated by NICE: In August 2017, we reviewed the evidence for assessing oestrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status on disease recurrence and changed the recommendations in section 1.1. In July 2014, we reviewed the evidence for exercise for people with lymphoedema and added 2 new recommendations. Parts of this guideline were updated by a standing committee in 2017. One recommendation was deleted (crossed out) and 2 recommendations (marked in grey) in section 2.2 (page 9) were replaced with 1 new recommendation. This can be found in the addendum to this guideline, Advanced breast cancer 81.2.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in England and Wales, with about 37,000 new cases diagnosed and 11,000 deaths recorded in England and Wales each year. In men breast cancer is rare, with about 270 cases diagnosed, and 70 deaths in England and Wales each year. Of these new cases in women and men, around 10% are diagnosed in the advanced stages, when the tumour has spread significantly within the breast or to other organs of the body. In addition, there is a significant number of women who have been previously treated with curative intent who subsequently develop either a local recurrence or metastases. Over recent years there have been important developments in the investigation and management of these patients including new chemotherapy, and biological and hormonal agents. There is some evidence of practice variation across the country and of patchy availability of certain treatments and procedures. A clinical guideline will help to address these issues and offer guidance on best practice.
This guideline updates and replaces NICE technology appraisal guidance 62 (capecitabine), 54 (vinorelbine) and 30 (taxanes).
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