A recently released survey by the National Breast Cancer Centre uncovered some very disturbing findings about the lack of knowledge women had of this disease—a lack of knowledge which in some cases could cost women their lives.
The survey of 3,000 women across Australia aged between 30 and 69 found that only half the women surveyed knew that a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases as she gets older; 28 per cent of women mistakenly thought a family history of breast cancer on their father’s side was an important risk factor; one in three women mistakenly thought that alcohol posed no risk; one in four mistakenly thought being overweight posed no risk; 42 per cent of women mistakenly rated stress as a big risk factor; and, finally, one in three women mistakenly considered a bump to the breast as a big risk factor.
More disturbing were the findings that one in three women who noticed a change in their breast waited more than a month before seeking medical advice and another 23 per cent—an alarmingly high number—who found changes did not see a doctor at all. Given that 50 per cent of breast cancers are found as a result of a change in the breast, it is particularly important that women know what changes to look out for and seek medical advice as soon as possible. It is clear from these survey results that, despite the excellent work done by all who are associated with breast cancer research and awareness, the myths and misconceptions around breast cancer need to be further clarified and the importance of early detection must be constantly reiterated. To do any less is simply putting women’s lives unnecessarily at risk.
One thing that is certain with breast cancer is that early detection provides the best chance for a woman’s survival. About 90 per cent of women whose cancer is diagnosed before it has spread outside the breast will be alive five years later. However, if the cancer is not detected early and has already spread to other parts of the body before diagnosis, only about 20 per cent of those women will survive for five years.
It is encouraging to note that breast screening is now available free of charge to all women over 40. However, more needs to be done to encourage more women and, indeed, younger women to participate in screening programs because, along with the misconceptions regarding breast cancer, there is still a great reluctance by many women, particularly women of ethnic backgrounds, to undergo a mammogram test. We need to turn our minds to how this issue can be better addressed.
I was very pleased to read last week that an education campaign was launched by the National Breast Cancer Centre, who have developed a range of resources to inform women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds about breast cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection and to assist women diagnosed with breast cancer to make better decisions about treatment and support. This information is translated into Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian and Arabic languages. It is a bid to provide culturally appropriate and potentially life-saving information to women in their own language.
Given that one in 11 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is vital we ensure that all Australian women, especially those of non-English-speaking backgrounds, have access to accurate information so as to make informed decisions about their health and, if necessary, about appropriate treatment and care. On behalf of the many women, particularly the women of my electorate, whose lives and whose families’ lives have been affected by this disease, I encourage the government to increase resources for the awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
With this month being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it would be the perfect time for the government to participate in this awareness program, provide greater assistance to address the existing misconceptions and further promote early detection as the best means of saving the lives of the many Australian women who are diagnosed with this disease on an annual basis and who would have a far better chance of survival if detection occurred at the earliest possible time.
