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

Running head: HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
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

2HEALTH ASSIGNMENT
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: