Practice patterns of MRI utilization for breast cancer treatment within the University of California system as part of the Athena initiative.

Background: The appropriate utilization of Breast MRI in breast cancer care remains controversial. As part of a quality improvement initiative for breast cancer screening and treatment, we sent out a survey to physicians who treat breast cancer patients. All respondents are participants in the ATHENA initiative, a program which unites physicians, researchers, and patients at the five University of California medical centers. Objective: To use the ATHENA infrastructure to perform a qualitative analysis of variations in breast cancer care. Methods: Surveys were sent to 50 physicians in the ATHENA network whose practices are focused on breast cancer. Respondents were presented with clinical scenarios, and asked whether they would recommend MRI always/usually or sometimes/never. Differences were compared by Chi square. Results: 39 physicians completed the survey (78% response rate). Of these physicians 29% were surgeons, 26% radiation oncologists and 45% medical oncologists. Athena physicians were more likely to order MRI for high risk screening of mutation carriers than not (85% yes vs. 15% no, p < 0.003) but not based on breast density alone or previous history of breast cancer. They were also more likely to order it for monitoring neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (70% yes vs. 30% no, p < 0.03). Although the majority answered that they would order a Breast MRI for new breast cancer the difference between responses was not significantly different (56% yes vs. 44%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: Athena physicians follow established published guidelines which demonstrate a benefit for Breast MRI screening for BRCA mutation carriers but not based on density or previous history of breast cancer. The Athena network allows a forum for new practice guidelines to be implemented as data becomes available to improve patient outcomes and utilize the best evidence for patient care, where both the patterns of MRI use as well as the outcomes of practice patterns will be evaluated prospectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]