Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a time to focus on the impact of breast cancer and the importance of early detection in saving lives.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian women and the second most common cause of cancer-related death. One in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of surviving it.
Thanks to advances in detection and treatment, the five-year breast cancer survival rate has improved to 94 per cent. Between 1987-1991 and 2017-2021, 5-year relative survival increased from 75.1 per cent to 94.3 per cent for women who were diagnosed with breast cancer when aged 50-74.
Age remains the biggest risk factor, with most breast cancers occurring in women over 50. Nine out of 10 women diagnosed have no family history of the disease.
Participation rates for First Nations women in screening remain lower than non-Indigenous women at 35.9 per cent. State and territory programs, and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations have implemented a range of initiatives to support First Nations women to access culturally safe screening and improve cancer outcomes.
The Albanese Government is helping women take action through mammograms available every two years for all eligible women aged 40 and over through BreastScreen Australia, with women aged 50 to 74 invited to participate by state and territory programs.
Jointly funded by the Australian Government and state and territory governments, BreastScreen Australia offers services in more than 750 locations nationally, including purpose built mobile vans, buses and 4WDs.The Albanese Government is also investing $193 million over four years in a new Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP).
The Australian Cancer Nurse Navigation Program (ACNNP) ensures all Australians affected by cancer, regardless of location or cancer type, receive high-quality, culturally safe care, while also supporting families, carers, friends and health professionals. Through this program, Breast Cancer Network Australia is funded to provide specialist information and support to breast cancer patients, and the McGrath Foundation is delivering 100 new government-funded cancer care nurses to support people with all types of cancer by 2026-27.
Information about BreastScreen Australia is available at www.health.gov.au/bsa(link is external) .
First Nations women can access information about Screen with you Sistas here: https://www.health.gov.au/breast-screen(link is external)
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"Nearly one million women a year are getting free breast screening - and in 2023, 6,410 participants aged 50-74 had an invasive breast cancer detected through BreastScreen Australia.
"Clearly, breast screening saves lives.
"The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance of survival In addition, diagnosis of breast cancer at an earlier stage through screening provides an opportunity for less intensive treatment.
