Australia reports one of the highest breast cancer diagnosis rates globally; however, it boasts a significantly lower death rate compared to many other nations. A recent study conducted by The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, and Alberta Health Services examined breast cancer incidence and mortality across 185 countries. The findings for 2022 indicated that Australia and New Zealand had the highest diagnosis rates, with approximately one in seven women and one in 550 men likely to face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.
In the past decade, breast cancer diagnoses in Australia rose by 24%, yet the country enjoys one of the lowest mortality rates associated with the disease worldwide. Out of more than 21,000 annual diagnoses, only about 3,300 result in death each year. Professor Nehmat Houssami, a leading expert in public health at the University of Sydney, noted that various factors contribute to these statistics, including an ageing population and awareness of risk factors such as alcohol consumption and obesity following menopause.
The country’s high Human Development Index (HDI) score, which assesses quality of life based on life expectancy, education, and living standards, plays a crucial role in these outcomes. Nations with higher HDI scores tend to have lower breast cancer mortality rates, while those with lower scores, such as Fiji and some African countries, experience significantly higher death rates.
Globally, approximately one in 20 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and around one in 70 are expected to die from the disease. The WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, launched in 2021, aims to reduce breast cancer mortality rates by 2.5% each year across all nations. Australia and New Zealand are close to this target, currently achieving a 2.1% annual reduction. While 30 countries report declining mortality rates, only seven—Malta, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—are meeting the WHO’s objective.
Overall, Australia’s ongoing commitment to breast cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment accessibility underlines its success in combating this prevalent disease, starkly contrasting the challenges faced by lower-income nations.