Breast Cancer In Israel Research Articles

Embodiment-based self-management for Israeli breast cancer survivors after mind-body therapy

Objective As advances in breast cancer treatment have bolstered survival rates, post-treatment self-management has become crucial for survivors’ well-being. Methods In the current qualitative research, conducted via content and form analysis of 12 in-depth interviews, the authors explored self-management strategies in the narratives of female breast cancer survivors who underwent mind-body therapy. Results Three coping models emerged: (1) an illness-focused story overshadowing the body, (2) a coexistence of illness and body stories, and (3) an embodied illness-story. These self-management models showcase a developmental sequence, reflecting the evolution of coping mechanisms. Conclusion The study underscores embodiment’s significance in fostering agency and well-being, particularly in a societal and medical context where body attention tends to be marginalized.

Feasibility and Potential Effectiveness of Implementing the ‘Take Action’ Program in Israeli Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 The ’Take Action’ program was feasible for Israeli breast cancer survivors but not for women in the acute phase. In the acute phase managing fatigue upper extremity disability and scars is required. Occupational therapy should start at diagnosis. Primary Author and Speaker: Danit Langer Additional Authors and Speakers: Stav Hillel Contributing Authors: Robin Mieli Newman, Asnat Bar-Haim Erez

Context-Specific Estimation of Future Unrelated Medical Costs and Their Impact on Cost-Effectiveness Analyses.

This study constructed and applied procedures for the estimation of unrelated future medical costs (UFMC) of women with breast cancer in Israel (as a case study) and examined the influence of including UFMC in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs). Part I consisted of a retrospective cohort study based on patient-level claims data of both patients with breast cancer and matched controls during 14 years of follow-up. UFMC were estimated as (a) the annual average all-cause healthcare costs of the control subjects, and (b) as predicted values based on a generalized linear model (GLM) adjusted to patients' characteristics. Part II consisted of a CEA performed using a Markov simulation model comparing regimens of chemotherapy with/without trastuzumab, both excluding and including UFMC and for each of the UFMC estimates separately. All costs were adjusted to 2019 prices. Costs and QALYs were discounted at a yearly rate of 3%. The average annual healthcare costs in the control group were $2328 (± $5662). The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $53,411/QALY and $55,903/QALY, when UFMC were excluded or included, respectively. Hence, trastuzumab was not considered cost-effective compared with a threshold of willingness-to-pay of $37,000 per QALY, regardless of the inclusion of UFMC. When UFMC were estimated on the basis of the prediction model, the ICERs were $37,968/QALY and $39,033/QALY, when UFMC were excluded or included, respectively. Thus, in this simulation, trastuzumab was not considered cost-effective, independent of the inclusion of UFMC. Our case study revealed that the inclusion of UFMC had modest effect on the ICERs, and thus did not alter the conclusion. Thus, we should estimate context-specific UFMC if they are expected to change the ICERs significantly, and transparently report the corresponding assumptions to uphold the integrity and reliability of the economic evaluation.

Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates in Israel among Urban and Rural Women

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death. There are a number of risk factors for breast cancer mortality including parity, age, ethnicity, genetic history, and place of residence. This study examined the disparities in breast cancer-related mortality rates among women from urban areas compared to rural areas in Israel. This was a retrospective, follow-up study on mortality from breast cancer among 894,608 Israeli women born between the years of 1940 and 1960. Data was collected from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, the Population Authority, the Education Ministry, and the Health Ministry. Over 80% of women lived in urban areas. A higher incidence of mortality from breast cancer in Israel was found among urban women compared to rural women (1047.8/100,000 compared to 837/100,000, respectively). Even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, higher mortality rates were found among women from urban areas in Israel compared to women from rural areas in Israel. It is believed that environmental factors can partially explain the geographic variation of breast cancer incidence, and that breast cancer incidence is likely a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and health factors.

Involvement levels of breast cancer patients-Seeking trusted hospital and physician.

The active involvement levels of breast cancer patients (BCP) in treatment decisions range from 10% to 81%. We investigated the involvement levels of 179 Israeli breast cancer survivors, aged 30 to 81, in the choice of hospital, surgeon, surgical procedure, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. High involvement was documented in location decisions (operating hospital 77%, chemotherapy facility 82%) as opposed to low involvement in treatment decisions (chemotherapy 30%-38%, radiotherapy 25%, surgical procedure 31%). Involvement was influenced by hospital and surgeon reputation, education level, and income. BCPs actively choose their treating facility and staff, and then follow their doctor's recommendations.

COVID-19 precautionary behavior among Israeli breast cancer patients.

ObjectiveCumulative knowledge indicates that cancer patients, among them breast cancer patients, are more susceptible to COVID-19 than individuals without cancer. Therefore, these patients need to take additional precautions against the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to examine factors associated with precautionary behavior among Israeli breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 women with breast cancer. Participants completed measures of knowledge about COVID-19, perceived threat, sense of mastery, social support, precautionary behavior, and socio-demographic questionnaires. A multivariate regression model was calculated with precautionary behavior as the dependent variable.ResultsThe mean of precautionary behavior score was relatively high. Participants perceived their health as relatively good, had relatively high knowledge about COVID-19, and moderate perceived threat. Sense of mastery was relatively moderate and perceived social support was relatively high. In the multivariate regression analysis, after controlling for the background variables, knowledge about COVID-19 (F(2,149) = 8.68, p < 0.001; beta = 0.36) was significantly associated with precautionary behavior. This variable explained 15.4% of the precautionary behavior variance.ConclusionFindings suggest that in order to enhance precautionary behavior among women with breast cancer during a pandemic outbreak, it is recommended to pay attention their knowledge about the virus.

Diagnostic workup of early-stage breast cancer: can we choose more wisely?

Current international guidelines, including the Choosing Wisely Initiative, recommends against the routine use of systemic imaging studies or tumor markers in early-stage breast cancer. Accumulating data suggests that adherence to these guidelines is low. We aimed to investigate the execution of unnecessary diagnostic tests among Israeli breast cancer patients and identify factors associated with their performance. A retrospective analysis was conducted involvinga database of early breast cancer patients treated at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. A survey was distributed among Israeli surgeons and oncologists specializing in breast cancer treatment. The study includedearly breast cancer patients (n = 178), who haveno indication for completingsystemic evaluation. Nearly half of the patients (76, 42%) were referred to 128 unjustified diagnostic studies, with the most common referral comprisinga PET-CT (n = 39 30.5%). As expected, none of the tests led to any change in either disease staging or alteration in clinical management. Variables associated with systemic evaluation included younger age (61.8% for < 50years vs 38.9% for > 50years, p = 0.02), diagnosis by palpable masscompared to screening mammography (26.9% vs 52.9% p = 0.043, respectively) and higher tumor grade(33.7% vs 52.2% p = 0.02, respectively). In concordance withthe findings of the database, the physicians' survey revealed low adherence to guidelines and a role of the treating physicians' subjective feelings. Doctors were more likely to recommend unnecessary studies whenpresented with a clinical case as an image, than to an informative question. Our data indicatea high rate of non-adherence to guidelines, physiciansrecommending extensive systemic evaluation for women with early breast cancer. These deviations from the guidelines are associated with subjective factors, some of them beingphysician-dependent. Initiatives aimed at improving adherence to guidelines, and specifically to guidelines recommending "doing less" should therefore include not just knowledge-based education but also encourage conversation about what is appropriate and necessary.

Adherence and Persistence to Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Israel

Background: Adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) has been consistently proven to improve multiple outcomes in early breast cancer yet rates of adherence and persistence are variable. Methods: We retrospectively identified women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer and initiating HT between January 2000 and December 2007 in a large Israeli health provider. Prescription records including the drug name, date of purchase, and the quantity of pills dispensed were collected. We used Cox proportional hazards and binary logistic models to analyze factors associated with early discontinuation (<5 years) and nonadherence (proportion of days covered, PDC <80%) of HT, respectively. Results: A total of 4,178 women with breast cancer were identified with nearly 95% of patients treated with tamoxifen as the initial HT. Over the 5-year follow-up period, early discontinuation was identified in 955 (23%) patients. The mean PDC was 82.9% (SD 0.004). Younger age and low BMI were both associated with an increased risk of early discontinuation and nonadherence. A history of hypertension was associated with a higher likelihood of both outcomes. Conclusion: Adherence and persistence with HT among Israeli breast cancer survivors are comparable to those in international reports. Interventions are necessary to identify and prevent suboptimal HT adherence.

“The danger still hangs over my head” Fear of Recurrence among Israeli Breast Cancer Survivors

Introduction: Many breast cancer survivors report a fear of recurrence of the disease, which finds expression in anxieties that the original cancer will return or that another form of cancer will begin to develop. The present study evaluated perceptions of and feelings about the fear of recurrence from the point of view of breast cancer survivors, the impact of this fear on their lives, and their means of coping.&#x0D; Method: Qualitative research was conducted using the phenomenological approach. The sample included 13 breast cancer survivors aged 34-67 who were within 1 year after completion of chemotherapy. Participants included survivors who had been diagnosed with localized breast cancer, Stages I-III, without metastases, and without previous cancer diagnoses. Participants provided their personal details, while details of the disease and treatments were collected from the patients’ files.&#x0D; Results: Two main themes emerged: (1) Along with the desire to gradually return to normal life, the study participants described an ongoing sense of existential threat, a lack of security and a sense of being out of control when any follow-up tests or pain linked to potential cancer caused fear and anxiety and (2) their fears also concerned their family members as they were afraid their loved ones might get sick and go through the suffering they had experienced.&#x0D; Conclusions: The fear of cancer recurrence is a multidimensional phenomenon. This emotional response can arise as a result of physical symptoms causing suspicions that the disease has returned or as a result of external factors, such as follow-up tests or other people’s illnesses.

Multigene panel testing in unselected Israeli breast cancer cases: mutational spectrum and use of BRCA1/2 mutation prediction algorithms.

Studies assessing the contribution of non-BRCA1/2 gene mutations to inherited breast cancer (BC) predisposition consistently reported low (up to 4%) yield. The current study aimed at assessing the spectrum of non-BRCA mutations in unselected Israeli BC cases and the utility of BRCAPRO and Penn II models, as tools for prediction of detecting non-BRCA1/2 mutations in Israeli BC patients who tested negative for the predominant Jewish BRCA1/2 mutations. All consecutive Jewish Israeli BC patients at the Sheba Medical center who tested negative for the predominant BRCA1/2 mutations and elected to perform multigene panel testing were included. For each patient probability of BRCA mutation detection was calculated by the Penn II algorithm and the BRCAPRO tool. Overall, 144 cases were included (median age at diagnosis was 48, range 20-73years); 48% were Ashkenazim. One patient harbored a non-founder BRCA1 mutation (c.5434C>G; p.P1812A). Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) mutations in non-BRCA1/2 genes were detected in additional 14/144 patients, including CHEK2 (n = 5), RAD51D (n = 2), MSH6 (n = 2), and one each in ATM, RET, TP53, NBN, and BAP1. Using a cutoff of 15% probability of BRCA mutation detection, both models accurately predicted the observed carrier rate of non-BRCA mutations. In unselected Jewish Israeli BC patients, the rate of detecting non-founder BRCA1/2 mutations is low, with CHEK2 mutations detected in 3.4% of cases. BRCA1/2 mutation prediction models may be utilized for selecting patients eligible for further multigene panel testing after exclusion of predominant BRCA1/2 mutations.

Adherence and persistence to adjuvant hormonal therapy in early stage breast cancer patients: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Israel.

e12051 Background: Adjuvant hormonal therapy has been consistently proven to improve multiple outcomes in early breast cancer. Nonetheless, data on rates of adherence and persistence with therapy outside West Europe and North America are scarce. We assessed the adherence and persistence with adjuvant hormonal in a retrospective population based cohort of breast cancer survivors in Maccabi Health Services (MHS), Israel. Methods: We identified women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and initiated adjuvant hormonal therapy between January 2000 and November 2008. Subjects were followed retrospectively from first dispensed tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor (AI) and up to the earliest of the following events: disease recurrence (indicated by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other related therapies), leaving MHS, death, or completion of 5 years of treatment. Discontinuation of therapy was defined as a 180-day or longer treatment gap. Adherence with therapy was assessed using proportion of days covered (PDC) during follow-up period. Survival analysis was used to determine the effect of adherence on all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 4178 women with breast cancer were followed for a median 7.8 years. Over 90% of patients received tamoxifen as the initial hormonal agent. Mean PDC was 84% with lower rates associated with younger age, smoking status, comorbidities and year of diagnosis. Residential area did not affect adherence. Differences were not found. Discontinuation of therapy occurred in 23% of study patients. Among persistent patients, 70% were optimally adherent with therapy (PDC&gt;=80%). Association between adherence with therapy and survival is investigated. Conclusions: Adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy among Israeli breast cancer patients with national health insurance is high in comparison to international reports. Nevertheless, suboptimal adherence was identified among younger (&lt;45y) patients. Because of the efficacy of hormonal therapy in preventing recurrence and death in women with early-stage breast cancer, interventions are necessary to identify and prevent suboptimal adherence among high risk subgroups.

Primary prevention and screening practices among long-term breast cancer survivors.

Parallel to increasing survival of breast cancer (BC) patients, a need has arisen to characterize the follow-up required to improve and maintain their health. Our study aimed to assess changes in lifestyle habits over time among the study population, compare compliance rates of selected primary and secondary prevention practices between long-term BC survivors and an age-matched comparison group, and identify factors associated with compliance to these practices. The study population comprised 250 Israeli BC survivors, diagnosed with BC between 1999 and 2003, without evidence of disease after 8-12 years, and 250 women with no cancer history, individually matched to survivors by age and area of residence. Data collection and analysis were conducted during August 2012-June 2015 and included socio-demographic variables, lifestyle habits, health promotion by the family physician, and participation in screening procedures and prevention measures. Higher performance rates of mammography and colonoscopy among BC survivors were observed, as well as a greater likelihood of receiving an influenza vaccine and undergoing a bone mineral density scan (adjusted-ORs: 7.7, 1.48, 1.42, and 2.59, respectively) compared to controls. Factors identified with compliance to selected practices were age, higher levels of education and income, never smoking, and strenuous physical activity. The survivors adopted healthier lifestyles, which were similar to those of women who never had cancer. About 10 years after BC diagnosis, the survivors generally comply with primary and secondary prevention practices.

PO35 What do women want? Fertility preservation preferences of young Israeli breast cancer patients

PO35 What do women want? Fertility preservation preferences of young Israeli breast cancer patients

Health-related quality of life and sense of coherence among partners of women with breast cancer in Israel

PurposeTo compare HRQOL of husbands of women with non-metastatic breast cancer to husbands of healthy women. Additionally, to examine the impact of Sense of Coherence (SOC), socio-demographic, and clinical variables, on HRQOL of spouses in both groups. MethodThis study used a comparative, matched, convenience sample. Husbands of women with non-metastatic breast cancer (n = 50), undergoing chemotherapy during 3–6 months after diagnoses and spouses of healthy women (n = 50) participated in a study. HRQOL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS SF-36), and coping characteristics were measured using the Short Sense of Coherence scale. Socio-demographic factors, cancer stage, and treatments were collected. The groups were matched by age, education, employment (working/not working). The physical and mental component summary scores were dependent variables in the regression analysis. ResultPhysical and Mental Component Summary indexes in the study group were significantly lower than in the control group. Higher education level, greater income, or more daily working hours were associated with better physical health index (added 30% to explaining the variance). The only personal variable predicting the mental component of QOL was financial situation (added 7%). Higher SOC was associated with higher HRQOL. Disease and treatment characteristics were found to have no influence upon the husbands' QOL. ConclusionsWhile the main influence found in this study of a woman's breast cancer on her partner's quality of life is on the mental component, the partner's physical health should also be taken into account.

Perceptions of Israeli women with breast cancer regarding the role of the Breast Care Nurse throughout all stages of treatment: A multi center study

Purpose of the researchThe role of the Breast Care Nurse (BCN) is well established in Israel. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the BCN on Israeli women with breast cancer at all stages of disease from diagnosis, through treatment and follow-up. MethodsThis was a descriptive multi-center study on 321 women with non-metastatic breast cancer who completed their treatment <5 years before. Data collection took place in seven institutions in Israel, both in hospital and in the community. The women completed two questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire and the Ipswitch Patient Questionnaire looking at various aspects of care. Also included was one qualitative open question. Data analysis was performed checking for outliers and illogical observations. Key resultsIn most areas investigated the women perceived the overall contribution of the BCN as very high, with 87% reporting a general contribution of very high or high. It was found that 53% of the women received information about the position from the nurse herself. In 61.3% of the cases, initial contact with the BCN was made at the time of diagnosis.The qualitative findings concerning the open question are also reported. ConclusionsAccording to the perceptions of women with breast cancer in Israel, BCN support is an important part of the patient's ability to manage their diagnosis and related care. The multi-disciplinary breast cancer team should incorporate BCN specialists as part of their holistic care.

Being within or being between? The cultural context of Arab women's experience of coping with breast cancer in Israel

Coping with cancer is affected by cultural norms, beliefs, and perceptions. To date, only a few studies have examined how Arab women cope with breast cancer and how the illness affects their lives. We aimed to study how Arab women perceive and ascribe meaning to their illness and its personal, familial, and social implications and to examine their coping strategies within the religious and traditional cultural context. The study was qualitative. Participants were 20 Muslim and Christian Arab women with breast cancer (stages I-III) from northern Israel, aged 20-50 years. Participants were between 1 and 5 years after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted and later transcribed. Four main themes emerged: (i) "Family Comes First": The Woman and Her Family; (ii) To Expose or not to Expose? That's the Dilemma; (iii) Faith in God as a Source of Coping; and (iv) Constructing New Meanings Following Recovery from Cancer. Findings stressed a duality in participants' cancer coping experience according to the traditional cultural norms of concealment, while simultaneously encountering more open Western attitudes through interactions with healthcare providers and Jewish women receiving treatment alongside them. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the unique implications of cancer in the context of the traditional Arab culture intertwined with modernization processes. This context calls for interventions that consider the understandings depicted in the present study.

Double heterozygosity in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in the Jewish population

BackgroundThe frequency and characteristics of disease in individuals who concomitantly harbor pathogenic mutations in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are not established. Materials and methodsData were collected from the database of Clalit Health Services National Familial Cancer Consultation Service. Probands referred to this clinical service and their family members are routinely tested for the three Jewish founder mutations (BRCA1:185delAG, 5382insC, BRCA2:6174delT). In addition, carriers identified in a population-based cohort of all cases diagnosed with breast cancer in Israel in 1987–1988 allowed the estimation of the population frequency of this phenomenon. ResultsIn the clinic-based series of 1191 carriers of mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 belonging to 567 families, 22 males and females (1.85%) from 17 different families (3.0%) were found to harbor two different mutations. These included 18 individuals (1.51%) who concomitantly carried the 185delAG BRCA1 and the 6174delT BRCA2 mutations and four individuals (0.34%) who carried the 5382insC BRCA1 and the 6174delT mutations. All individuals were heterozygote carriers and none had a double mutation of both founder mutations in the BRCA1 gene itself. Seven of the 16 double carrier women (46.7%) had a personal history of breast carcinoma, diagnosed at a mean age of 44.6, compared with 372/926 (40.2%) carriers of a single mutation diagnosed with a mean age at diagnosis of 48.1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–4.0]. One case (6.7%) had a personal history of ovarian carcinoma diagnosed at the age of 53 compared with 55/926 (5.9%) of the women with single mutation (OR = 1.1, CI = 0.2–7.6). The frequency of double mutations in the population-based national breast cancer cohort was 2.2% of all carriers, and 0.3% of all breast cancer cases in the Ashkenazi population in the cohort. The mean age at diagnosis of breast cancer was younger in the carriers of two mutations. ConclusionDouble carriers of mutations in the BRCA genes are rare and seem to be carrying a similar probability of developing breast and ovarian cancers as carriers of single mutations.

BRCA1 Breast Cancer Risk Is Modified by CYP19 Polymorphisms in Ashkenazi Jews

Exposure to sex hormones is a major risk factor for breast cancer and current treatments include hormone modifying drugs, among them aromatase inhibitors. We studied the association of CYP19 (Val(80) and [TTTA](n)) polymorphisms, the gene translated to aromatase, and the risk of breast cancer in BRCA carriers and noncarriers. The study consisted of 958 cancer cases and 931 healthy controls, including 474 carriers and 1,415 noncarriers. Cases and controls came from a population-based study of breast cancer in Israel, enriched with BRCA carriers from a clinical familial cancer service. Val(80) G/G genotype was associated with significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared with the Val(80) A/A genotype in BRCA1 carriers ages <50 years (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-7.22; P = 0.032) but not in BRCA2 carriers or noncarriers of any age. A similar magnitude suggestive association, although nonstatistically significant, was found between Val(80) polymorphism and estrogen receptor-negative status of the breast tumors. A common haplotype composed of the Val(80) G allele and three haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs727479, rs10046, and rs4646) in the CYP19 coding region showed a trend to association with breast cancer risk in BRCA1 carriers ages <50 years. Published expression data show higher estrogen levels with higher repeats in [TTTA](n) found in linkage disequilibrium with Val(80). The present study suggests that the CYP19 Val(80) polymorphism and a haplotype that includes this polymorphism are associated with increased breast cancer risk in young women with BRCA1 mutations.

Quality Control in a National Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer: Women’s Satisfaction With the Mammography Process

The experience of the mammography testing process and related satisfaction influence women's willingness to undergo the test again. The study goal was to assess women's overall satisfaction with the mammography examination service provided by participating units in the National Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Israel. Between August 2003 and March 2004, a random sample of 3,295 women from 38 mammography units nationwide was drawn. Women were interviewed within 48 hours of their mammography, regarding their assessment of the examination process: discomfort, overall satisfaction, and intention to rescreen. Overall satisfaction and process items were measured on an ordinal scale ranging from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). Multivariate binomial regression was performed to identify significant predictors of being less satisfied and to estimate the associated relative risks with 95% confidence interval (CI). A response of "very satisfied" (score 6), indicating overall satisfaction with the mammography process, was reported by 77% (95% CI, 73%-80%) of the women, 19% (95% CI, 17%-21%) said they were satisfied. Willingness to rescreen was reported by 95%. Negative assessment of staff attitude was the most influential predictor of being less satisfied. Twenty-six percent of women reported experiencing very discomforting pain. This response was associated with a diagnostic test indication, and with process items directly related to the test (technician's attitude toward the patient; information provided by her; privacy during the test). Women's satisfaction was high, as was intention to rescreen. The gap between intention and rescreening begs further investigations as to other types of barriers preventing women from adherence to rescreening.

The margins effect: Residual tumor after breast conserving surgery

11045 Background: Resection of breast cancer with good surgical margins is one of the fundamental aspects of breast conserving surgery. Most studies have shown that women with positive margins after breast conserving surgery (BCS) fared worse compared to those with negative margins, regardless of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Nowadays, when partial breast irradiation is gaining popularity, understanding the natural history of positive or close margins is particularly important. We studied the surgical process in a large cohort of Israeli women with breast cancer to estimate the frequency of tumor margin involvement in the primary and subsequent surgical procedure. Methods: The National Israeli Breast Cancer Detection Programs has been monitoring the detection process of all new cases of breast cancer in Israel since 1996. Full data on tumor histology and surgical procedures, including indication of margins in the pathology report were available for 16,925 malignant breast tumors. Margins were classified as positive margins (PM), close (= 2mm) (CM) or negative margins (greater then 2mm)(NM). Results: BCS was identified in 14,815 women with invasive cancer and 2,110 with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Only 7,751 (52.3%) of the 14,815 women with invasive cancer had NM, while 2,868 (19.4%) had CM and 4,196 (28.3%) had PM. Among those with PM, 2,276 (54.6%) had a re-operation within 6 months from the index surgery and 1,265 (55.6%) of them were found to be malignant; 58% of them were invasive cancers and 42% DCIS. Among the invasives on re-operation, 24.4% still had PM and another 12.1% had CM while among the DCIS 14.4% had PM and 17.6% had CM. Of the 717 women with DCIS and positive margins at first surgery, 67.9% had a second operation. Of them, 59.8% had malignancy, 8.8% of them invasive. Overall 10.6% of all invasive cancers and 3.7% of all DCIS had PM on relumpectomy within 6 month regardless of initial margin status. Conclusions: A relatively high proportion of all women undergoing BCS were found to have positive or close margins, even after re-operations. If a failure to reach clean margins is a reflection of an aggressive tumor phenotype, special attention should be given to these patients and treatment should be adjusted accordingly. No significant financial relationships to disclose.