Table 6 Authors’ conclusions and summary remarks on the research question

We suggest that women with breast cancer are followed-up once a year with a mammography (as opposed to other regimens) (provisional and conditional recommendation).

There is moderate certainty of evidence that intensive follow-up compared with less intensive follow-up (more frequent diagnostic tests or visits) does not reduce 5–10-year overall mortality and recurrences in women with breast cancer. The cost of different regimens of follow-up is variable, with more intensive regimens being more expensive and cost-effectiveness favouring less intensive regimens. Resources could be mobilised to other aspects of breast cancer care, or other areas of healthcare, potentially increasing equity.

This recommendation is provisional because of the uncertainty about the net benefit of the interventions.

This recommendation is conditional because it might be different depending on the feasibility of the setting of the intensive follow-up policy.

Not applicable (no specific subgroup of women were considered).

Women should be informed in detail at baseline about different types of follow-up and their related impacts, to increase their satisfaction and reassurance with a less intensive follow-up.

Resources could be mobilised to other aspects of breast cancer care, or other areas of health care, potentially increasing equity.

Health outcomes related to less intensive follow-up should be periodically assessed (we suggest every 5 years).

Patient-centred endpoints should be explored, and the relationship between follow-up intensity and technical and psychological support to continue endocrine treatment should be further studied. Similarly, organisational aspects related to the coordination of follow-up activities should be addressed.