Metastatic breast cancer rates soar past previous estimates

The number of Australians living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has been vastly underestimated, with a first-of-its-kind count in New South Wales far surpassing expectations.
 
The Cancer Institute NSW has released its groundbreaking findings, identifying 7900 people living with the cancer in that state alone.
 
The Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) says the verified data shows that the national estimate of approximately 10,553 is ‘widely inaccurate’.
 
In world-first data collation, the institute was able to use existing cancer registry data and integrate it with hospital and clinical treatment data, as well as using information from the PBS and MBS.
 
Labelling it a ‘breakthrough’, the BCNA now hopes the methodology will pave the way for other cancers to be counted, as NSW works to extend this model beyond breast cancer, offering a blueprint for national and international action.
 
NSW medical oncologist Dr Belinda Kiely said the findings are ‘vitally important for Government, breast cancer clinicians and researchers, and patients, who finally feel recognised’.
 
‘This information will help me understand how many people are living in NSW with MBC, how well they are living, and how long they are living,’ she said.
 
‘It will help us understand how well our treatments are working and will be useful to guide future research.
 
‘I know my colleagues around Australia and globally would also benefit from access to information like this, so I hope the methods NSW has developed are rolled out nationally and globally.’
 
In its announcement, the BCNA said this critical data collection is ongoing and delivered in real time to allow policy makers to make ‘informed and meaningful changes’.
 
‘Timing is crucial, as advancements in treatment mean that people are living longer with MBC, making it vital to understand how to support them,’ it said.
 
The BCNA is now calling on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Australian Cancer Data Alliance to broaden its search parameters to determine the actual figure nationally.
 
The Federal Government announced $1.5 million in extra funding in February this year to form the Alliance, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying that having ‘this information in one place will make our screening and testing processes better to make sure we’re putting resources where it’s needed most’.
 
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breast cancer Breast Cancer Network Australia cancer cancer screening metastatic breast cancer preventive health