Many radiation oncologists and surgeons believe that omitting radiotherapy in older women with breast cancer is substandard care, according to a survey completed by 825 respondents. Furthermore, they tend to overestimate its benefits.

They survey was sent to more than 1,500 clinicians, generating a 55% response rate. Investigators looked at answers involving clinical scenarios, knowledge of pertinent risk information, and views on radiotherapy omission. Among the results:

• Omitting radiotherapy in patients aged ≥70 years with stage I, ER+ breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and endocrine therapy was thought to be unreasonable by 40% of surgeons and 20% of radiation oncologists.
• 3 in every 10 surgeons and 1 in every 10 radiation oncologists incorrectly linked radiotherapy in older women with improved survival.
• 32% of surgeons and 19% of radiation oncologists overestimated the risk of locoregional recurrence in older women when radiotherapy was omitted.