At least five NHS trusts are reviewing their rates of repeat breast cancer surgery after figures from the latest National Cancer Audit showed levels significantly above the maximum expected range.

The trusts identified are Airedale, Buckinghamshire, Royal Berkshire, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, and Torbay and South Devon. Their reported rates were more than 5% above the maximum level expected by National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NATCAN) auditors.

The audit examined breast cancer surgery carried out between January 2021 and December 2023. Repeat surgery rates can be influenced by several clinical and patient-related factors, meaning the figures do not automatically indicate that patients received avoidable harm.

However, the measure is regarded as an important patient-safety and quality indicator. Similar concerns about repeat surgery rates previously contributed to scrutiny of breast cancer care at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, where a review of thousands of cases remains ongoing.

The latest reviews are therefore expected to examine the reasons behind the higher-than-expected rates and whether changes in clinical practice or patient pathways are required.

The development highlights the NHS's continued focus on breast cancer treatment quality, surgical outcomes and patient safety, as trusts use national audit data to identify areas requiring further investigation.