The Auckland Breast Cancer Register: a special project of the Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group

Aims The Auckland Breast Cancer Register (ABCR) has been established in response to the need for a comprehensive database of breast cancer cases from the Auckland area. Methods The database records patient demographics, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis and long-term outcome (annual follow up). Data from 1204 cases, recorded between June 2000 and June 2002 are reported. Results The major findings are that 34% of women had breast cancer detected by screening only (47% in the group eligible for free screening within the Breast Screen Aotearoa screening programme); 84% of patients had invasive carcinoma; 13% had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); and 3% fine needle aspiration only. Forty nine per cent of invasive tumours were =2cm. Grade 3 tumours were found in 53% of patients under 40 years old compared with 26.8% 40 years or older. Mastectomy was performed in 56% of patients with invasive cancer and 33% of those with DCIS. Axillary surgery was performed in 94% of patients with invasive cancer and 39% had involved nodes. Seventy nine per cent of patients were referred for an opinion from an oncologist. Radiotherapy was given to 77% of these patients, chemotherapy to 33%, and hormone therapy to 57%. Conclusions The ABCR will provide essential healthcare information that will lead to better understanding of breast cancer in Auckland and more effective delivery of the clinical resources available in the Auckland region. The Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group (ABCSG), established in 1976, brought together a multidisciplinary group of clinicians with a particular interest in breast cancer management and research. As such, the membership includes representatives from both the public and private sectors in the fields of radiology, surgery, pathology, breast-care nursing, medical and radiation oncology, and biostatistics. Between 1976 and 1985 the study group established a comprehensive database of 2700 cases of breast cancer in the Auckland region. This computerised database, with continued follow up, has provided important information on the incidence, pattern and management of breast cancer in a mixed ethnicity community and it has provided the resource for some 30 publications. The register was discontinued in 1985 following concerns expressed over privacy issues. In 1996 the members of ABCSG agreed unanimously that a new breast cancer register should be established throughout the Auckland region. Against a background of important advances in all areas of breast cancer, including genetics, detection,