Evaluating the De-Escalation of Surveillance for Patients Who Have Undergone Curative Treatment for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world. That means a lot of women are affected by it every year, and it's important that investigators always look for ways to improve their care, not just during treatment, but afterwards too. After treatment for early-stage breast cancer, patients usually come back to the hospital for regular check-ups for up to five years. These visits are based on old guidelines, and even though breast cancer treatment has improved a lot over the years, the follow-up schedule has stayed the same. This study is being done to see if investigators can safely reduce the number of hospital visits after treatment, while still keeping patients healthy and well looked after.

Right now, in Ireland, patients are asked to attend follow-up appointments at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months (that's every 6 to 12 months for five years). These clinic visits often involve long waits and can cause stress or anxiety. At the same time, patients are also invited for a mammogram once a year. Recent research shows that most recurrences of breast cancer are found by patients themselves or during their annual mammograms, not necessarily at these clinic visits. That is why investigators are looking at whether the number of hospital appointments can safely be reduced , without affecting patient safety.

In this study, some patients will continue with the usual five-year clinic schedule. Others will only attend hospital clinics for the first two years (at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months), and after that, they will no longer need to come in for the extra follow-up visits - but they will still have their annual mammograms as normal.

Investigators will also ask all participants to complete a short questionnaire once a year. This will help investigators understand how the different follow-up plans affect quality of life, and how patients feel about their care. This research study is taking place to find out if fewer hospital check-ups, combined with continued mammogram screening, is just as safe and possibly better for patients' wellbeing.

Inclusion criteria

• Female participants aged 18 years or older
• Prior diagnosis of primary breast cancer treated with curative intent
• Currently under cancer surveillance and at the 24-month follow-up timepoint
• No clinical or radiological evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis at the time of recruitment (e.g., no palpable mass, skin or nipple changes, or suspicious findings on imaging)
• Able to read, write, and speak English sufficiently to complete the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire (paper-based or via telephone)
• Resident in the Republic of Ireland with a fixed address and intention to continue follow-up within the Irish healthcare system

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of breast cancer recurrence or metastatic disease at the time of recruitment
• Inability to provide informed consent
• Inability to complete study questionnaires (e.g., due to language barriers or cognitive impairment)
• Not resident in the Republic of Ireland or not intending to remain in follow-up within the Irish healthcare system