Breast Cancer in Australia: Health Needs and Evidence-Based Strategies

This article discusses the health needs and evidence-based strategies for breast cancer in Australia. It covers the determinants of health, epidemiological factors, and development of evidence-based strategies to facilitate protection. It also includes a strategic framework and evaluation with WHO five key principles.

Running head: HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
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Background:
Breast cancer has recently emerged as a serious concern within the Australian
healthcare context. Research reports suggest that approximately 19,535 cases of breast cancer
have been reported in the year 2019, within the Australian context. Approximately 164 males
were diagnoses of breast cancer and 19,371 females were diagnosed (Bcna.org.au, 2019). In
addition to this, the evidence base reveals that there has been a 14% rise in the number of
diagnosed cases of breast cancer since the year 2014 (Breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au,
2019). Breast cancer has resulted in approximately 3090 deaths across Australia in the year
2019 (Breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au, 2019). The retrieved background information
suggests breast cancer is one of the healthcare priorities that require immediate attention so as
to improve the associated patient outcome.
Identification of health needs within different population groups:
Breast cancer formed the second most common diagnosed cancer among Australians
in the year 2015. In the year 2015, approximately 17,004 new cases of breast cancer was
diagnosed and it is estimated that in the year 2019, approximately 19,535 cases of breast
cancer would supposedly be diagnosed (Breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au, 2019). This
would lead the incidence ratio to be 1 out of every 675 males and 1 in every 7 female (Breast-
cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au, 2019). The evidence base further reveals that cancer is
comparatively more common among women who are aged 50 years and older (Breast-
cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au, 2019). In addition to this, research studies also suggest that the
incidence and risk of developing breast cancer is more common among certain ethnic group
of women that include Ashkenazi Jewish community and aboriginal and Torres Islander
community (Willis et al., 2015). The evidence base suggests that the incidence probability of
developing breast cancer within the Ashkenazi Jewish Community is equivalent to 1 out of

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40 which can be compared equivalent to 2.5% (Willis et al., 2015). The primary reason for
the higher incidence rate of breast cancer within the specified ethnic communities can be
explained as genetic influence and lack of awareness in relation to risk factors that trigger
breast cancer (Beith et al., 2016).
Determinants of health and epidemiological factors associated with breast cancer:
Research studies suggest that breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality among
Australian women (Www.health.gov.au, 2019). However, the evidence base also suggests
that the incidence rate of breast cancer significantly varies with respect to race and ethnicity
and is predominantly reported to be higher among the communities of African American
women, Indigenous Aboriginal women, Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, South Asian,
Vietnamese and Mexican women living within Australia compared to women belonging to
the Non-Hispanic White community (Beith et al., 2016). As stated by Willis et al. (2015), the
higher prevalence among the mentioned ethnic community members is primarily on account
of social determinant factors such as healthcare access, education and awareness about breast
cancer and optimal affordability to access available support options. In this regard it should
be mentioned that a statistical report published by Cancer Australia states that 16,753 people
remain undiagnosed until the second stage of breast cancer (Willis et al., 2015). Further, the
incidence of the cancer is higher among the population base residing within rural and remote
regions of Australia. The primary reason for the same can be explained as lack of appropriate
medical facilities within the rural and remote areas which leads to poor access
(Www.health.gov.au, 2019). Further, poor financial income and lack of education and
awareness in relation to breast cancer and the risk factors that trigger the disorder also
increase the disease burden and lead to poorer outcome.
Development of evidence based strategies to facilitate protection:

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On account of the increased prevalence of breast cancer among the Australian
women, it is integral to scan the evidence base and retrieve evidence based strategy to
improve the overall health outcome of the women. Research studies in this regard reveal that
the first step to control the incidence rate of breast cancer would include integration of
effective screening methods within the healthcare system so as to identify the affected and the
vulnerable women (Czerniec et al., 2015). This could be done with the use of appropriate risk
assessment tools such as the Gail and Claus model that would assist physicians with the
process of determining the quantitative risk of breast cancer (Tao et al., 2015). In addition to
this integration of effective nutritional, surgical and pharmacological management support
options within the healthcare system would help to acquire effective patient outcome.
Further, disseminating awareness in relation to the identified risk factors and the available
support strategies can help to control the prevalence rate of the disorder (Ghoncheh et al.,
2016).
Strategic framework and evaluation with WHO five key principles:
The vision of the strategic framework emphasises upon improving the quality of
health care for all Australians specifically focusing on the people who experience inequitable
health outcomes. In addition to this, the strategic framework also intends to prevent illness,
keep people healthy, curtail the need of frequent hospitalisations and foster improvement of
the complex and chronic health disorders. The framework aspires to acquire the four strategic
outcomes of establishing a consumer oriented primary health care system, improving access
to healthcare and reducing inequality, enhancing the focus on promotion, prevention,
screening as well as assisting with an early intervention and adapting measures to improve
the quality, safety, performance as well as accountability of the services provided
(Www.health.gov.au, 2019). In this regard it should be noted that the five key principles of
WHO stresses upon reduction of exclusion and social disparities in health, organization of

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health services in and around people’s expectations, integration of health into all sectors in
terms of public policy reforms, commencing collaborative models of policy dialogue and
increasing the participation of stakeholders. On analysing the objectives and accomplished
outcome of the strategic framework it can be stated that the cumulative health outcome in
relation to breast cancer has not improved in Australia on account of reduced access within
geographically rural and remote areas. In addition to this, lack of public policy reforms and
collaborative treatment models has resulted in poor health outcome in relation to breast
cancer. It should be however be states that national mammopgraphic breast cancer screening
program ‘BreastScreen Australia’ is available free of cost within Australia, however on
account of reduced knowledge and awareness the overall scenario has not improved till date
(Bcna.org.au, 2019).
Significance to nursing practice:
The holistic healthcare outcome in relation to breast cancer can improve with the
integration of knowledge and awareness about the preventable risk factors that lead to breast
cancer among the Australian population (Ghoncheh et al., 2016). Further, improved
psychological support and appropriate referral to available support services can be given by
nursing professionals which can help affected patients and their family members deal with
the disease burden and improve their quality of life (Tao et al., 2015; Ghoncheh et al., 2016).
Conclusion:
Therefore to conclude it can be stated that there is an essential need to improve
screening and treatment services for breast cancer within Australia so as to achieve a positive
health outcome. Further, disseminating awareness about breast cancer and preventable risk
factors can also help control the prevalence rate and facilitate effective healthcare outcome.

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References:
Bcna.org.au (2019). Position statement: BreastScreen Australia | Breast Cancer Network
Australia. [online] Bcna.org.au. Available at:
https://www.bcna.org.au/about-us/advocacy/position-statements/breastscreen-
australia/ [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].
Beith, J., Burslem, K., Bell, R., Woodward, N., Mccarthy, N., De Boer, R., ... & Redfern, A.
(2016). Hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer: A
systematic review of the current treatment landscape. Asia
‐Pacific Journal of Clinical
Oncology, 12, 3-18.
Breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au (2019). Breast cancer statistics | Breast cancer. [online]
Breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au. Available at: https://breast-
cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/statistics [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].
Czerniec, S. A., Ward, L. C., & Kilbreath, S. L. (2015). Assessment of breast cancer-related
lymphedema: A comparison of moisture meter and spot bioimpedance
measurement. Lymphatic research and biology, 13(1), 10-19.
Ghoncheh, M., Pournamdar, Z., & Salehiniya, H. (2016). Incidence and mortality and
epidemiology of breast cancer in the world. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 17(S3), 43-46.
Tao, Z., Shi, A., Lu, C., Song, T., Zhang, Z., & Zhao, J. (2015). Breast cancer: epidemiology
and etiology. Cell biochemistry and biophysics, 72(2), 333-338.
Willis, K., Lewis, S., Ng, F., & Wilson, L. (2015). The experience of living with metastatic
breast cancer—a review of the literature. Health care for women international, 36(5),
514-542.

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Www.health.gov.au (2019). Strategic Framework. [online] Www1.health.gov.au. Available
at:
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/6084A04118674329
CA257BF0001A349E/$File/NPHCframe.pdf [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].