The basics of breast cancer and importance of being breast aware

Hundreds of Australian women may be missing out on lifesaving breast cancer treatment because they do not know if their cancer is sensitive to hormone therapy.

Findings of the MBF Foundation Health and Wellbeing after Breast Cancer Study, conducted by Monash University, showed that 38 percent of women who were hormone receptor positive were not aware that their breast cancer was hormone sensitive. Hormone sensitivity affects the treatment women diagnosed with breast cancer will be offered.

These women were less likely to be receiving endocrine therapy than those who did know they were positive.

Based on these findings, the Monash researchers estimate that about 500 more Australian women each year would have endocrine therapy.

Endocrine therapy, which includes the removal of the ovaries or use of drugs such as Tamoxifen, in hormone sensitive breast cancers reduces the likelihood of recurrence by about one third in these women, significantly improving their survival chances.

Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer for Bupa Australia, Chair of the MBF Foundation Steering Committee and inaugural member of the NSW Program for Mammographic Screening Committee, said that it was essential that women are helped to understand their condition and that they know their hormone receptor status.

"Doctors need to make sure patients are told and understand the hormone receptor status, and how that affects the treatments appropriate for them," Dr Bennett said.

Professor Susan Davis of the Women's Health Program at Monash University who led the study said that the findings were important because they show that despite our best efforts, we are still not communicating critical issues to patients.

"Women with breast cancer need to understand the implications of the decisions they make with their doctors about their treatment," Professor Davis said.

Professor Davis said that the results of the survey on 1684 Victorian women with invasive breast cancer were surprising given that it was conducted at the same time as a breast cancer awareness campaign.

The study also found that women who are older or less educated were less likely to know their hormone receptor status. Women who were unable to complete the survey in english were excluded from the study indicating that the extent of the problem could even be underestimated.

Dr Bennett said that women with breast cancer shouldn't be afraid to speak up about their treatment even though breast cancer is so personal for some women.

"If women don't understand what they are being told they can obtain more information either through the excellent resources available via the National Breast Cancer Centre or Breast Cancer Network of Australia or ask more questions," Dr Bennett said. "Communication isn't expensive, and it can save lives."

The women were surveyed within the first year of diagnosis and will be followed annually for five years.

Each year around 2,600 Australian women die from breast cancer, and more than 13,000 are diagnosed with the disease.

While mortality rates from the disease are improving, the preliminary research findings from the Monash study underscore the importance of ongoing research into prevention.

About the MBF Foundation

The MBF Foundation is a charitable institution set up by MBF to support and manage important health initiatives for the community using a portion of MBF Group's investment income each year. Projects undertaken encompass three key areas – wellness and obesity, supporting healthy ageing and keeping healthcare affordable.

Media contact - Rachael Thompson, Bupa Australia Corporate Communications, 0417 265 289