Top Content
Category Content
Recent Content
🌍 Global Advocacy Win: Breast Cancer Named in UN Political Declaration 🎉
We’re excited to share a major milestone in BCNA's advocacy. Last week, the United Nations formally adopted the Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health - and through the advocacy work of BCNA, breast cancer is explicitly named in the final text 🎉 ✨ Why this matters: Although it might seem confusing for BCNA to focus our advocacy efforts overseas as well as in Australia, the UN declaration helps place critical attention on our own government's ongoing priorities for policy and investment issues that impact people affected by breast cancer. It also enshrines international accountability for supporting people living with breast cancer. 💪 How BCNA made this happen: In July, when breast cancer was missing from the draft UN Declaration, BCNA met with the Australian Ambassador to the UN and the Mission team in New York. We did this because something we know, after 27 years of advocating for people affected by breast cancer, is what is named gets attention, and what is not named is often overlooked. Within 24 hours, we partnered with the Institute of Cancer Policy at King’s College London to produce evidence-based recommendations, informed by lived experience and global data. This paper helped shape Australia’s position, verified by Cancer Australia, DFAT, DoHA, and ministerial offices. In the final negotiations, Australia called for breast cancer to be named. No other country did. But once Australia spoke up, others followed. The result: breast cancer is now in the Declaration and people living with breast cancer in Australia are more empowered to keep speaking up and working towards strengthening our healthcare rights. Thank you to all BCNA staff, partners, and the Australian Government for trusting us to lead this work. Your efforts made this global outcome possible. 📄 If you’re interested on what this all means from an impact perspective, you can read more: 👉UN Political Declaration: https://lnkd.in/gm8fV2MY 👉BCNA & Institute of Cancer Policy paper: https://lnkd.in/gQJcTTSf 👉BCNA takes your voice to the UN General Assembly: https://www.bcna.org.au/bcna-takes-your-voice-to-the-un-general-assembly📣 BreastScreen progress has flatlined. BCNA’s response to AIHW data.
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling on the Federal Government to immediately action recommended reforms to the national BreastScreen program. The newly released BreastScreen Australia Monitoring Report 2025 reveals a disappointing 2% increase in participation between 2021–22 and 2023–24. “Yes, more women are being screened — but that’s because there are more women, not because the program is performing better.” Says Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director or Policy, Advocacy and Support Services BCNA is calling for urgent reform: ✅ Risk-based screening ✅ Breast density reporting ✅ AI & innovation investment ✅ National consistency ✅ Equity for Indigenous women BCNA says women and families cannot wait any longer for an effective, modern breast screening program and is calling for urgent action. Read BCNA’s full response at https://www.bcna.org.au/media-releases/breastscreen-progress-has-flatlined-bcna-responds-to-aihw-data/📊 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released 2025 breast cancer statistics.
Australia continues to lead globally in breast cancer survival rates. The latest 2025 data reveals: ❣️ Five-year survival has risen to 93% (up from 75% in 1987–1991). ❣️ In 2025, around 20,336 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, including 207 men. ❣️ Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in Australian women, making up 27% of all new cases. ❣️ The average age of diagnosis is 62, with 80% of cases occurring in women over 50. ❣️ Metastatic breast cancer remains undercounted, but estimates suggest up to 16,000 people are living with it in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. BCNA continues to advocate for national data collection. These statistics highlight both progress and ongoing challenges in breast cancer care and support. Most importantly, they remind us of the big picture behind our WHY - together we work to improve these numbers year on year. 👉 Click here to read more and download the infographic.🗣️ Share your views: A survey of Australian cancer patients regarding current patient education practices
You can participate in this study if you have received treatment for a cancer diagnosis in the past 24 months. Researchers from Monash University are conducting a survey that aims to identify the current practice of oncology nursing education in Australia. It intends to identify if a consistent and holistic approach to education is being provided and what factors may prevent this from occurring. The survey will explore your experience in relation to the education you received by oncology nurses prior to commencing your initial treatment for your cancer diagnosis. At the conclusion of the survey, you will be taken to a second survey to register your interest to participant in a focus group to discuss your experiences. If you decide to leave your contact details, the researchers will follow up with you and provide further information on what is involved in the focus group. You would then need to provide written consent to participate. For more information and to participate in the study please click the link below: Click here to participate📢 Capivasertib (Truqap) to be listed on the PBS!
The Australian Government has announced that as of 1 October capivasertib (Truqap) will be listed on the Pharmacetucial Benefits Scheme (PBS), providing another vital option for Australians with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. This means more equitable access to a treatment that previously cost over $98,000. This decision addresses an urgent need for effective treatments and provides another vital option for patients when their cancer has developed resistance to existing therapies. BCNA remains committed to fighting for equitable access to innovative treatments and supporting those living with metastatic breast cancer through every step of their journey. Read more about the announcement at https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/government-announce-access-to-capivasertib-truqap-another-option-for-those-living-with-metastatic-breast-cancer/📢BCNA gets the seal of approval from Mark Butler MP
This week BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, will speak at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, to amplify the voices of those affected by breast cancer. Why does this matter ❓ Breast cancer wasn’t mentioned in the UN’s global health draft declaration until BCNA advocated to change that. What happens in these global discussions impacts your care, research funding, and access to treatments here in Australia. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, and rates are rising. Your voices are powerful, BCNA’s network and lived experience have made a real difference on the world stage, influencing governments and health policies. Breast cancer isn’t done yet and neither are we. Together, we’ll continue advocating for improved outcomes for those affected by breast cancer. 💪💗 🔗Read more about BCNA’s advocacy at https://www.bcna.org.au/bcna-takes-your-voice-to-the-un-general-assembly/
