Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

INTRODUCTION: National cancer registration data were linked to the Primary Care Prescription Database (PCPD) in England. The level of endocrine therapy (ET) prescribed in women after a diagnosis of breast cancer was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer registrations for women diagnosed with breast cancer during 1995-2015, who survived to 31st March 2015, were linked to ET prescriptions issued during April-July 2015. RESULTS: Among 369 277 survivors of breast cancer diagnosed during 1995-2015, 37% were prescribed ET during April-July 2015. Among women whose breast cancer diagnosis was after 31st July 2010, 81% of those recorded with oestrogen receptor positive (ER+ve) disease were prescribed ET compared with only 6% of those with ER-ve disease. Younger women usually received tamoxifen and older women usually received aromatase inhibitors. DISCUSSION: The pattern of ET use observed in these data corresponds to that expected. This provides confidence in the potential of the PCPD for epidemiological research.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.canep.2019.04.012

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cancer Epidemiol

Publication Date

08/2019

Volume

61

Pages

185 - 189

Keywords

Aromatase inhibitors, Breast neoplasm, Prescriptions, Tamoxifen, Therapeutics, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care, Proof of Concept Study, Registries, Young Adult