BCNA Policy Priorities 2025

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) urges the Australian Government to take decisive action in the 2025 federal election. Our policy priorities focus on reducing the financial burden, improving early detection, addressing unmet supportive care needs, and ensuring a comprehensive cancer data ecosystem, particularly for metastatic breast cancer because we still don’t count the number of people living with metastatic disease. 

Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, says “We need urgent action to ensure Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support. This election is an opportunity for the government to commit to real change." 

To improve outcomes for all Australians affected by breast cancer and reduce the burden on patients, families, communities, and the healthcare system, BCNA is advocating for: 

1. Reducing the financial costs of breast cancer treatment and support:
   Women with breast cancer experience high out-of-pocket costs for healthcare as well as the indirect costs such as loss of income which results in substantial financial burden
2. Prioritising risk-based stratification for early detection/breast screening programs:
   Genetic conditions and breast density can significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Access to specialist diagnostic and screening tests is limited due to restrictive eligibility criteria, cost, and workforce shortages, especially in regional areas.
3. Addressing unmet supportive care needs for people impacted by breast cancer:
   Advances in breast cancer treatment continue to improve survival rates, but the physical and emotional impacts of treatment are often complex, such as chronic pain, fear of recurrence or progression, and lymphoedema.
4. Investing in a sustainable and comprehensive cancer data ecosystem:
   The lack of comprehensive cancer data about stage and recurrence, including metastatic diagnoses, limits evidence-based healthcare planning and investments. 

Read a summary or the full list of our 2025 policy priorities