Latest Australian breast cancer statistics
Latest Australian breast cancer statistics I thought that some of you might be interested in these. The report is called “Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2006”. It’s available to view online at www.nBreast Cancer Care.org.au/resources.
Parts I thought were interesting were that, “although the incidence of breast cancer continues to rise - more than doubling in the past 20 years - more women are surviving the disease…Overall 87 percent of women…can expect to be living five years after their diagnosis compared to 71 percent… in the period 1982 -1986”. It also includes stats on breast cancer in males.
I’m still puzzled about the five year standard that is always being used, but then I’m not very good at statistics and tables. The report does comment on 20 year survival rates, which is as far back as records apparently show in this country. The other point is why is the incidence rate rising, even taking into account a greater degree of screening and an increased life expectancy, generally, for women?
The report also states that “one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85 years”. The previous stat. used was that “one in 11 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75 years”. This has been revised because the average life span for Australian women is now 83 years.
This seems a big jump to me, even with the greater life expectancy. I’ve read with interest many discussions on this forum about environmental factors, dairy, soy and the reliability of statistics themselves. I don’t post much, but I’ve found this forum a huge source of information and comfort over the past year since diagnosis. Best wishes to all.
Hi, the stats seem very similar to the UK stats. Breast Cancer has risen hugely in pre-meno women here. I also don’t know why they use those 5 year stats. Lots of people don’t realise they are including those of us who are still alive after 5 years but are stage 4.
5 year survival I’m not too good with stats either but I know that they talk about 5 and 10 year survival because in most follow-up studies the women are only monitored for for either 5 or 10 years post diagnosis. I doesn’t mean they have lived for 5 years or 10 years and have then died.
Bear in mind, as well, that the longer you remain NED (no evidence of disease)following diagnosis the less likely you are to have a recurrence.
I always like to throw this one in but my friend’s mum has been NED for 40 years!
Lola