Breast cancer that is hormone receptor (HR)-positive tends to be diagnosed early, when it is highly treatable. But the treatment landscape is ever-changing, and clinicians must stay constantly informed about how to identify patients with this type of cancer who may be eligible for the newest, most effective therapies. A study presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting reviewed an online strategy to educate and update healthcare providers on recent advances in this disease state.
The study involved 2 online continuing medical education activities, which were delivered via text and video. The curriculum included several subtopics related to HR-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer, such as identification of patients at high risk of recurrence and new clinical trial data regarding CDK4/6 inhibitors.
The educational activities were delivered in 2021 to 5,544 learners, including 727 oncologists. Analysis examined whether the activities met their learning objectives among oncologists by asking the participants questions before and after the education. According to analyses, “Participation improved oncologists’ knowledge, competence, and confidence related to CDK4/6i clinical data and treatment eligibility for patients with HR+/HER2- EBC,” wrote Urvi Patel, of Medscape Oncology in Carrollton, Texas.
Specifically, oncologists already felt confident and competent before the activities regarding how to identify patients who are high risk of recurrence. However, they had a 110% increase in correct responses on questions related to identification of HR+/HER2- EBC patients who will benefit from adjuvant therapy. Furthermore, they had a 26% increase in correct responses on items related to clinical trial data in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer.
