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Biomedical subjects

L G Ford

Publications and source records attributed to L G Ford.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Potential role of tamoxifen in prevention of breast cancer.

Despite advances in early detection and treatment of breast cancer, primary prevention has not been well explored, especially for women at increased risk of disease due to reproductive factors and family history. There are, however, suggestions that primary prevention of breast cancer may be a realistic objective. Randomized clinical trials of adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer have demonstrated a 35% decrease in contralateral breast cancers among women receiving tamoxifen compared with controls, suggesting a potential role for tamoxifen in chemoprevention of breast cancer in women at increased risk of the disease. Adjuvant therapy studies also demonstrate that tamoxifen is well tolerated by most patients and suggest additional health benefits from alterations in plasma lipid levels and stabilization of bone mineral loss in women receiving tamoxifen. Aspects of tamoxifen pharmacology, laboratory research, and clinical experience which support its investigation as a chemopreventive agent for breast cancer are summarized, and potential toxic effects are discussed.

Bone Density↗
PubMed1990

Cancer control research for community programs: the National Cancer Institute initiative.

Recognizing the need to integrate community populations into cancer control research and building on the demonstrated success of community oncologists to participate in treatment clinical trials, the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, NCI, expanded the focus of the Community Clinical Oncology Program in 1987 to foster the development and implementation of cancer control research through the existing clinical trials network. NCI-funded cooperative groups, cancer centers, and a state health department provide research opportunities in screening and early detection, chemoprevention, smoking cessation, and continuing care. Feasibility protocols, pilot studies, and randomized clinical trials are in progress. This effort links community oncologists and other health care professionals to research in cancer control; provides access to large populations for preventive oncology studies; and establishes an effector arm for transferring current knowledge into community practices. The CCOP program is a model for maximizing available resources for future cancer control research and public health measures.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Results of a national survey of characteristics of hospital tumor conferences.

A descriptive survey of hospital tumor conferences, which are also referred to as tumor boards, was conducted by the National Cancer Institute in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons and Roswell Park Memorial Institute. The survey was done to assess the involvement of the tumor conference in the care of the patient with cancer and to lay the groundwork for additional studies of the conference. The data from the descriptive survey are based on questionnaires sent to 1,700 hospitals in the United States. The questionnaires requested information about frequency, attendance, composition, role of the chairman, agenda and other variables that relate to the format and purpose of the conference. From the results, we conclude that tumor conferences are an accepted and established institution for the multidisciplinary care of patients with cancer. They are a major source of consultation and education for physicians and for other professionals involved in oncology. Tumor conferences are conducted in a wide spectrum of hospitals and related institutions that vary in size and function.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1990

Early detection and control of cancer in clinical practice.

As part of the Community Cancer Care Evaluation, a random-sample survey of practicing physicians in 12 geographic areas was conducted in 1985 to provide information about physician practice patterns with reference to cancer detection, control, and treatment. All respondents were asked whether they routinely performed comprehensive physical examinations, breast palpations, mammography, rectal examinations, chest roentgenography, and stool guaiac examinations on normal healthy patients older than 50 years. Responses were examined in terms of American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, Md) recommendations. Conformity with recommendations was dependent on the geographic area, the specific procedure, and the specialty of the physician. Across all procedures, frequency of performance varied with years since graduation from medical school, with more recent graduates more likely to conform to recommended standards.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Therapy: state-of-the-art assessment of quality. The National Cancer Institute perspective.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a broad spectrum of responsibilities that range from support of basic laboratory research to the clinical testing of new therapeutics and, finally, the dissemination of results of this research to the practicing physician and the public. The reduction of cancer mortality is largely dependent on the responsibility for widespread application of state-of-the-art cancer treatments. A major cancer control focus of the NCI over the last decade has been the development and implementation of programs designed to improve awareness, access and application of state-of-the-art cancer treatment. In addition to the computerized Physician Data Query system, three targeted programs, the Cooperative Group Outreach Program (CGOP), the Community Hospital Oncology Program (CHOP), and the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) have all been aimed at establishing mechanisms to facilitate the transfer of new patient care technology; and, thereby, provide the highest quality cancer treatment in the community setting. An evaluation was conducted to determine if patterns and outcomes of cancer care management changed over time, and whether this could be related to the presence of CGOP, CHOP, and CCOP. Measurement of required program implementation was relatively straightforward. However, measurement of resultant changes in "quality of care" and the factors that influence physician performance are complex and controversial. Critical elements in the treatment of breast, colon, rectum, and small cell lung cancer were used as tracers to measure changes in the patterns of care in communities where programs were implemented. Results from this study highlight issues in state-of-the-art assessment of quality, such as the difficulty in defining quality cancer care, relationships between process and outcome indicators, and the problems of documentation and missing data. Assurance of quality cancer care requires the interaction of health care professionals with knowledge of the most up-to-date cancer research results working in a health care delivery system that encourages and rewards application of these results.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1987

Effects of patient management guidelines on physician practice patterns: the Community Hospital Oncology Program experience.

The Community Hospital Oncology Program (CHOP), funded under contracts by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 1981 to 1984, was designed to be a model for delivery of the most up-to-date cancer care in the community setting. Site specific patient management guidelines (PMGs) were developed by physicians who saw a majority of cancer patients in each community and represent a consensus of the most current information on pretreatment evaluation and management for each cancer site. There was the potential for PMGs to have a strong effect on physician practice patterns. A patterns of care study (POC) was conducted in the 17 CHOPs to determine the influence of guidelines on practice patterns. The practice elements examined in this report are clinical staging for breast and small-cell lung cancer, medical oncology consultation for breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes, and radiation therapy consultation for rectal and small-cell lung cancer. These elements were in all CHOP guidelines. Except for physicians most active in the CHOP, the data provide no evidence of diffusion of guideline principles to the majority of practicing physicians. Although all guidelines contained discussion of the importance of staging before definitive treatment for breast cancer, only 33% of the 1,922 charts examined had a stage recorded. In small-cell lung cancer, 67% of the 388 charts examined had stage recorded. The years in practice of the primary physician had an inverse relationship to practice patterns as defined by the guidelines. Physician specialty was also a determinant of practice patterns for small-cell lung cancer. However, participation in guideline development and their dissemination did not significantly influence the patterns of care elements examined in this study.

Breast Neoplasms↗