Policy priorities
Breast Cancer Early Detection Policy
Currently, mammography is the most effective population-based screening tool for breast cancer available[1][2]. While the potential benefits and harms of mammography screening continue to be debated[3], Cancer Council supports the Australian Government’s interpretation of the evidence and endorses population-based screening for breast cancer, provided participants are well-informed of the risks and benefits.
The BreastScreen Australia Evaluation made a series of recommendations to the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) to maximise the impact of BreastScreen Australia on breast cancer mortality in Australia[1]. Cancer Council Australia recommends that the Australian Government respond to the recommendations of the BreastScreen Australia Evaluation.
Summarised below are Cancer Council Australia’s evidence-based policy priorities aimed to reduce the burden of breast cancer in Australia. Policy priorities in line with the recommendations of the BreastScreen Australia Evaluation are noted.
Increase participation in BreastScreen Australia
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Increase screening participation in the target age group | BreastScreen Australia | Improved cost-effectiveness of BreastScreen, increased cost | Increased mortality reduction, see BreastScreen participation for more | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation |
| Increase rescreening rates in the target age group | BreastScreen Australia | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation | ||
| Increase program participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds | BreastScreen Australia, Indigenous groups, representatives of other under-screened populations | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation |
Adjust BreastScreen Australia accessibility to reflect evidence on benefits and harms
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Monitor the evidence for restricting program accessibility to the target age group, for which the benefits exceed potential harms | AHMAC | See Cost-effectiveness | Increased mortality reduction | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation |
| Monitor the evidence for extending the target group to include women aged 45–49 | AHMAC | See Cost-effectiveness | Increased mortality reduction, see Screening age range for more | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation |
Ensure equitable access to BreastScreen for all eligible women
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Develop and implement clear national policies for BreastScreen Australia to ensure equity of access for all women | BreastScreen Australia | See BreastScreen Australia Evaluation | Recommendation of BreastScreen Australia Evaluation |
Ensure informed consent among BreastScreen participants
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Improve program communications on the potential benefits and harms of screening, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and women from non-English speaking backgrounds | BreastScreen Australia | See Informed Choice |
Increase public understanding of breast cancer risk factors
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Conduct public education campaigns to increase understanding of the association between obesity and alcohol, and breast cancer risk | Australian Department of Health and Ageing/Australian National Preventive Health Agency | See Modifiable risk factors |
Expand the evidence base
| Policy priority/action | Agency | Estimated cost | Expected benefit | Comments |
| Improve data collection through BreastScreen Australia to inform research on screening outcomes | BreastScreen Australia | |||
| Allocate funding for research to improve understanding of the potential benefits and harms of mammography screening in Australia | NHMRC | Modest, funded on a project by project basis |
References
- BreastScreen Australia Evaluation Taskforce. BreastScreen Australia Evaluation. Evaluation final report. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing; 2009 Jun. Report No.: Screening Monograph No.1/2009. Available from: http://cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/Content/programme-evaluation.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC handbooks of cancer preventions vol. 7: Breast cancer screening. Lyon, France: IARC; 2002 Available from: http://www.iarc.fr/en/publications/pdfs-online/prev/handbook7/Handbook7_Breast.pdf.
- Duffy SW, Chen TH-H, Smith RA, Yen AM-F, Tabar L. Real and artificial controversies in breast cancer screening. Breast Cancer Manage 2013;2(6), 519–28.
Explore our Early Detection Policy.