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Table 2 Validity of combinations of breast cancer flags compared with the Cancer Registry, July 2004-December 2008

From: Ascertaining invasive breast cancer cases; the validity of administrative and self-reported data sources in Australia

Breast cancer flags

Positive predictive value

Sensitivity

Specificity

45 and Up Study baseline, Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

   

Breast radiotherapy AND dispensed medicine

80.1%

40.3%

99.9%

Breast radiotherapy OR dispensed medicine1

47.9%

82.7%

98.7%

Breast radiotherapy AND self-reported diagnosis

69.3%

36.1%

99.9%

Breast radiotherapy AND dispensed medicine AND self-reported diagnosis2

72.1%

23.9%

99.9%

(Breast radiotherapy OR dispensed medicine) AND self-reported diagnosis

58.6%

60.4%

99.8%

Breast radiotherapy OR dispensed medicine OR self-reported diagnosis

27.0%

95.3%

97.7%

Admitted Patients Data Collection, 45 and Up Study baseline, Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

   

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND diagnosis of invasive breast cancer AND breast radiotherapy

90.1%

47.5%

99.9%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND diagnosis of invasive breast cancer AND breast radiotherapy AND dispensed medicine

89.7%

33.7%

99.9%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND diagnosis of invasive breast cancer AND dispensed medicine

87.8%

55.0%

99.9%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND (diagnosis of invasive breast cancer OR breast radiotherapy)

83.0%

83.2%

99.8%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND (diagnosis of invasive breast cancer OR dispensed medicine)

84.1%

83.1%

99.8%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND (diagnosis of invasive breast cancer OR breast radiotherapy OR dispensed medicine)

80.5%

83.6%

99.7%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND diagnosis of invasive breast cancer AND self-reported diagnosis

88.5%

71.1%

99.9%

(Lumpectomy or mastectomy) AND diagnosis of invasive breast cancer AND breast radiotherapy AND self-reported diagnosis

87.3%

29.4%

99.9%

  1. 1: Tamoxifen, toremifene, anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole, goserelin, trastuzumab, lapatinib, and medroxyprogesterone 500 mg.
  2. 2: Flag combinations including self-reported diagnosis of breast cancer were compared against the Cancer Registry for the period July 2004 to December 2005.