NSW leads in metastatic breast cancer data

Using the Cancer Institute NSW’s unique linked data sets, a methodology which will soon be shared nationally and internationally, it has been determined that 7850 women and 50 men in NSW are living with metastatic breast cancer.

The intitute says understanding the number of people living with this disease will help overcome the feeling of invisibility described by so many, and ensure that NSW is prepared to support the growing number of people living with and surviving cancer.

It will also ensure health professionals and researchers better understand the impact of diagnostics and treatment on breast cancer recurrence and survival, and work to make life-changing improvements in cancer research, care and policy reform.

Metastatic breast cancer is an invasive form of breast cancer which has spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

While the number of people initially diagnosed with breast cancer is available through each state and territories cancer registries, the exact number of people who go on to develop metastatic breast cancer, following an initial breast cancer diagnosis, is unknown in Australia and around the world.

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has led Australian advocacy efforts to develop a clearer picture of the number of people living with metastatic breast cancer.

After its roundtable last year, Cancer Institute NSW set to work using linking cancer incidence and mortality data with NSW clinical datasets, Commonwealth Medicare Benefits Schedule, Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule and National Death Index data.

For more information on breast cancer and breast cancer screening visit www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.