The authors of the article agree that a thorough family history is needed in female patients included in the screening program who are at high risk for developing breast cancer following treatment for Hodgkin's disease. The guidelines provide for an initial examination of young adult women at risk for breast cancer. However, there should be no delay in admitting patients as early as possible to the centers of the consortium for familial breast cancer even though the results of genetic counseling and investigations are not yet available. The necessary consultations can be performed in parallel to the breast cancer screening.
We also support Dr Tsamaloukas in advocating an effective follow-up for long-term survivors of malignancies. We published prospective findings of the incidence of breast cancer as one of the late effects of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. (1). Additional publications have shown that long-term follow-up has been organized not only in the US but also in Germany, for pedriatric patients (2– 4). The guidelines of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften, AWMF) by S. Schuster et al. give additional information for identification, prevention and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer. This guideline introduces concepts for the immediate and long-term follow-up for these patients.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
The authors of all contributions declare that no conflict of interest exists.
References
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