Landmark step for women with metastatic breast cancer in Queensland

Queensland counts every woman living with metastatic breast cancer in a landmark step for visibility and support 

For the first time, Queensland has collected data on metastatic breast cancer (MBC), identifying 3,863 women living with the disease. 

Through the work of Cancer Alliance Queensland and in response to decades of consumer-led advocacy by BCNA, Queensland joins New South Wales as the second state to collect metastatic breast cancer data — taking Australia one step closer to national visibility for people living with the disease.

The new data, collected through the Queensland Oncology Repository by Cancer Alliance Queensland, integrates records from the Cancer Register, hospital admissions, and treatment databases to provide the most comprehensive picture to date.

This significant step forward in cancer data reform means Queensland women with MBC are now visible in the health system, providing a foundation for better health service planning, targeted investment, and equitable access to treatment, care, and clinical trials.

Queensland’s breakthrough responds to the national roadmap for reform co-developed at BCNA’s 2023 National Roundtable, where government, cancer registry, clinical, and consumer leaders agreed on the urgent need to prioritise the collection of cancer stage and recurrence data.

“This is a turning point for Queensland women living with metastatic breast cancer,” said Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services.

“For the first time, they are being counted and considered in decisions about their care. It’s about ensuring they are visible, and their experiences shape the future of support for women living with the disease.”

Although BCNA supports this commitment to boost primary care, BCNA also encourages the government to improve and invest in patient-navigation to support patients to access these services when and how they need them.

BCNA also welcomes the $238.5 million investment to improve First Nations cancer outcomes through increased early detection, navigation and health promotion as a significant step in addressing the care gap for this population.   

While BCNA acknowledges the government’s $556.2 million investment into strengthening Australia’s mental health support and suicide prevention, it calls on government to bring consumers and consumer organisations to the table to implement some tangible short-term solutions to urgently improve mental health support for those with chronic comorbidities such as cancer. 

‘Limited access to mental health support is one of the largest barriers to improving cancer outcomes, and our network is in desperate need of investment into these services,' Ms Pilatti says.