Aim
Precision cancer care requires more than individualised treatment; it requires health systems that accurately understand the populations they serve. Historically, incomplete capture of stage and recurrence has limited understanding of the number of Australians living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and their ongoing care needs. This project aimed to quantify the national burden of MBC and explore how improved population-level intelligence can support equitable cancer service planning and delivery.
Methods
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), in partnership with consumers, researchers, clinicians, Cancer Australia, government stakeholders and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), supported the development of a national approach to estimating MBC prevalence. Linked datasets incorporating cancer registrations, mortality records, medicines and healthcare utilisation data were used to identify people living with MBC in Australia. The project explored how improved disease measurement can support more targeted models of care, resource allocation and identification of unmet needs across the cancer continuum.
Results
The first national estimate identified approximately 20,950 people living with MBC at the end of 2024, including approximately 20,800 women and 150 men. This represents more than double BCNA’s previous 2020 estimate of 10,553 people and highlights the extent to which metastatic disease has historically been under-recognised. Improved visibility provides a stronger evidence to support precision cancer care by understanding population needs, identify service gaps and inform the development of responsive models of care for people living with advanced breast cancer.
Conclusions
Precision cancer care requires precision data. Improving visibility of MBC provides an essential foundation for personalised, equitable and evidence-informed cancer systems. This project demonstrates how robust data can complement advances in precision medicine by ensuring health services are designed around the people who need them. Improved capture of stage and recurrence across cancers will be critical to delivering more targeted and equitable cancer care.