BCNA LEADS CONSUMER VOICE AT AUSTRALASIAN INTERNATIONAL BREAST CONGRESS (AIBC)
We were thrilled to attend the Australasian International Breast Congress (AIBC) in Brisbane in October where we had the opportunity to host several events, present at various sessions and launch a project lead by the Policy and Advocacy Team. The congress was a wonderful opportunity for BCNA to connect with and hear from leading health professionals from Australia and New Zealand and discuss topics and issues that inform our policy and advocacy agenda.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Group, Dr Andrea Smith hosted a breakfast that brought together health professionals from all over Australia. During the morning, we announced the launch of our Issues Paper: Making metastatic breast cancer count—No longer hidden in plain sight , that seeks to highlight the current gaps in data and reporting of stage of diagnosis and recurrence, that are preventing us from advocating, planning for, and investing in care for those living with metastatic breast cancer. It’s important to know the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer so that the health system can meet their needs. The paper estimates that there are over 10,000 people living with treatable but not curable metastatic breast cancer in Australia, however,
as Australia’s cancer registries are currently not mandated to record cancer recurrence or stage of diagnosis, we do not know the exact figure. BCNA is calling for national leadership, investment, and accountability, as well as legislative change, to ensure those living with metastatic breast cancer are counted and made visible. We would like to acknowledge Dr Andrea Smith, Jodie Lydeker, Dr Sally Lord, Professor Dianne O’Connell, and BCNA’s Strategic Advisory Group and Metastatic Breast Cancer Lived Experience Reference Group for their contributions to the issues paper.
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BREAKFAST AND ISSUES PAPER LAUNCH On Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston and Chair of the
Read Issues Paper: Making metastatic breast cancer count Watch the launch of the Issues Paper
December 2022 | Issue 93
Breast Cancer Network Australia
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