Dr Jeremy Thomas talks to ecancertv at the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) about the recent audit of the NHS Breast Screening Programme.

Analysis of data from the UK NHS has shown significant variations in the outcomes of treatment for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) between UK hospitals.

Dr Thomas's research found that although the majority of women with DCIS received the correct surgery for their disease, large numbers of women were undergoing mastectomy for DCIS either as a result of failed breast conservation surgery or for tumours that turned out to be smaller than 20mm in diameter and therefore should normally have had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy.

“It would appear from our data that, in some hospitals, the discussions in the multidisciplinary teams are not looking in enough detail at the results from the mammograms and pathology in order to make the right decision about the best surgical treatment for these women,” said Dr Thomas.