Overview
High-quality real-world data (RWD) is crucial for understanding and improving breast cancer care in Germany, but comprehensive and detailed datasets have been limited. This study introduces and characterizes a new breast cancer cohort derived from Flatiron Health's electronic health record (EHR) database in Germany, evaluating how well it represents the broader German breast cancer population and its suitability for real-world research.
The researchers analyzed data from over 1,400 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2016 and 2024. They found that the cohort’s demographic and clinical characteristics, including age at diagnosis, disease stage distribution, and common treatment patterns for metastatic disease (such as CDK4/6 inhibitor-based regimens), closely matched national statistics and published sources for Germany. Overall survival rates also aligned with expected outcomes based on disease stage.
Why this matters
This research demonstrates the validity and reliability of Flatiron Health's German EHR-derived breast cancer cohort. By showing that this dataset accurately reflects the diversity and characteristics of German breast cancer patients, it provides a robust new resource for researchers. This high-quality RWD can inform crucial decisions in real-world evidence generation, health policy, and health technology assessments, ultimately helping to advance personalized treatment strategies and improve outcomes for breast cancer patients in Germany.