Queensland has achieved a significant milestone by officially recognising 3,863 women living with metastatic breast cancer, a pivotal step towards better understanding and supporting this community, with the comprehensive data collation efforts stemming from Cancer Alliance Queensland‘s headquarters in Woolloongabba.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson, highlighting a shift from decades of these patients being overlooked in official statistics.
This new data represents all individuals diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1982 and 2024 who are currently living with metastatic breast cancer as of late 2024. Metastatic breast cancer is a treatable but incurable condition, and until now, women living with this life-limiting disease in Queensland were not officially counted.
Acknowledging the Invisible Community
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) has praised the release of this vital information. The organisation stated that this recognition means every person living with metastatic breast cancer in Queensland is now seen and counted, a welcome change after years of advocacy.
Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services, noted that this breakthrough is crucial for the Queensland health system to effectively plan services, direct resources, and invest in research that truly meets the specific needs of these women. She added that for too long, governments had forgotten that “incurable doesn’t mean invisible,” and this data proves their presence, their importance, and their right to be included.
Larissa Erzitech, a 43-year-old Brisbane mother of two living with metastatic breast cancer, expressed that being counted is the starting point for visibility. She explained that without being in the data, individuals are often not considered in decision-making processes. For Queenslanders with metastatic breast cancer, accurate data collection will lead to improvements in their longevity and quality of life.
Driving Better Care and Policy
Danica Cossio, Senior Director at Cancer Alliance Queensland (CAQ), added that this newfound visibility in data directly leads to visibility in policy and practice. She highlighted that Queensland’s approach establishes a new standard for recognising and supporting people living with metastatic breast cancer, ensuring their needs are finally addressed and potentially paving the way for similar reforms for other types of metastatic cancer.
Minister Simpson expressed pride in Queensland’s nation-leading role in improving dignity, recognition, and providing better care for metastatic breast cancer patients. She also noted the potential for greater access to life-extending treatments and clinical trials. Queensland is only the second state in Australia to implement this change in health data reporting, and early indications suggest previous national estimates significantly underestimated the true number of metastatic breast cancer patients.
Key Statistics and Demographics
The new data from Queensland provides a clearer picture of the metastatic breast cancer population:
- A total of 3,863 women are living with metastatic breast cancer in Queensland.
- The majority of these women are aged 60 or older, with 1,120 (29%) aged 60–69, 1,043 (27%) aged 70–79, and 579 (15%) aged 80 or older.
- However, the disease also impacts younger women, including 85 individuals under 40 (2%), 301 aged 40–49 (8%), and 734 aged 50–59 (19%).
- Among those counted, 88 are First Nations women, making up 2.4% of the total.
The Local Impact of Cancer Alliance Queensland
This achievement is the result of decades of advocacy by BCNA, combined with the efforts of clinicians, researchers, and women with lived experience. It forms part of a broader national movement led by BCNA to ensure all individuals in Australia are counted and supported.
Cancer Alliance Queensland, located at Level 1, B2/2 Burke Street, Woolloongabba, played a crucial role in gathering this data. CAQ leverages its extensive data capabilities through the Queensland Oncology Repository – one of Australia’s most comprehensive population-based cancer databases.
This repository identifies women diagnosed since 1982 and uses advanced data integration techniques to identify those living with metastatic disease. The Repository draws information from multiple sources, including the Queensland Cancer Register, the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection, and detailed treatment records, offering a precise view of the metastatic breast cancer population in the state.
Cancer Alliance Queensland combines the Queensland Cancer Control Safety and Quality Partnership, Queensland Cancer Control Analysis Team, and the Queensland Cancer Register. Working with the Department of Health, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, and various health facilities and external organisations, CAQ aims to support and promote clinician-led improvements in cancer services across Queensland.
Their 2024-26 strategic plan focuses on engagement, leadership, and impact, committed to measurable success and providing clear insights into how the healthcare system performs to improve cancer care and patient outcomes for all Queenslanders.
Published Date 17-Jun-2025
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