Education of rural physicians about breast cancer through an oncology outreach program.

In 1990, the Rural Illinois Cancer Consortium initiated an intervention in the management of breast cancer for all rural hospitals. Regional data from a 12-county area were used to identify issues and develop an intervention emphasis. The data suggested two management issues; eliminate unilateral diagnostic mammography and increase the number of patients that have their tumor staged. The intervention involved seminars to provide feedback to physicians on management of breast cancer patients in the region. A series of personalized mailings emphasizing the intervention message were also deployed