SUMMARY For the first time, an estimated 20,950 Australians (20,800 women and 150 men) living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC)* can say “I count”. This emerging national picture exposes the scale of underestimation from previous MBC estimates of 10,553 in 2020, the chronic underinvestment in specialised healthcare, and historical inequities faced by people with MBC and their families and carers. Until now, efforts to understand this population have relied on small- scale or time-limited research projects rather than consistent national data collection. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)’s ambitious goal to count people living with MBC, first set out in its 2023 roadmap report, Time to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer - A Way Forward , has been realised. This significant milestone has been achieved through strategic collaboration with government agencies, researchers, and data experts to improve cancer data so that people with MBC can live longer and live well. Australia is leading national and international innovations in MBC data that can guide integrated responses for this growing group of people. Sustaining and evolving Australia’s MBC data models will help close historical cancer data gaps and will support national commitments to improve breast cancer care. With continued investment, these pioneering approaches can be adapted to benefit people living with other advanced cancers. ACHIEVING MOMENTUM REQUIRES: Future support for the Australian Cancer Data Alliance to oversee the development of nationally consistent data, methods and reporting Building capacity across all state and territory cancer registries Accelerating investment in integrated health data initiatives that address the specific needs of metastatic cancers
* Throughout this document, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) refers to breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. MBC is also known as stage IV, secondary breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer. It represents the most serious form of the disease because it is treatable but not curable.
05
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online