The survival rates of women and men diagnosed with breast cancer are better than they've ever been but beating the disease is not possible for more than 10,000 Australians who have metastatic breast cancer and more than 3,000 die every year.
Metastatic breast cancer currently cannot be cured, advancements in treatment is helping people to live longer but they're largely overlooked in the health system due to lack of data on breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
WORLD METASTATIC BREAST CANCER DAY – Sunday ,13th October 2024
Breast Cancer Network Australia offers support to everyone at every stage of their diagnosis, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston says those with metastatic require treatment for the remainder of their life.
"BCNA supports people with metastatic breast cancer to live as well as they can for as long as they can. Ongoing treatment is often delivered outside of a hospital setting and many feel invisible because they aren't included in national data beyond their early breast cancer diagnosis, whats more they can look physically well even though they have a chronic illness. One of the legacies of the late MP Peta Murphy was supporting BCNA's roadmap for the formation of the National Cancer Data Alliance that received federal funding after her death, it's purpose is to ensure that those with life limiting cancer can feel counted. There is a lot of work to be done for these people who are hidden in plain sight."
For support go to BCNA.ORG.AU
