Media release

From: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

First time national estimates reveal around 21,000 Australians living with metastatic breast cancer​

Around 21,000 Australians were living with metastatic breast cancer in 2024, according to first-of-their kind estimates published today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, Metastatic breast cancer – first national estimates, presents an estimate of how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia.

‘Metastatic breast cancer develops when cancer spreads from the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body,’ according to the AIHW spokesperson Justin Harvey.

‘Until now, we haven’t been able to properly understand how many Australians live with stage four, incurable cancer that is managed as a life-limiting condition requiring ongoing treatment and support.’

Metastatic breast cancer can arise months or years after initial diagnosis or, in some cases, can be the first diagnosis if the cancer had already spread to other parts of the body when detected.

An estimated 20,800 women and 150 men were living with metastatic breast cancer in 2024.

‘These estimates are based on the best currently available national and state data and provide increased visibility for a growing group of people who have specific health and community service needs,’ said Mr Harvey.

The number of people living with metastatic breast cancer is likely to increase over time, with further work planned to investigate growth rates.

‘This work is the first step in improving Australian data on metastatic cancers, driven by sector-wide advocacy and as prioritised in the Australian Cancer Plan,’ said Mr Harvey.

‘It is a great example of what can be achieved through a collaborative approach to ensure cancer data is reported in a nationally consistent manner, as envisaged in the newly released National Cancer Data Framework.’

‘Improving data on metastatic breast cancer will help support better clinical care, service planning, research and policy development.’

This project has been a national collaborative effort between the AIHW and partner organisations including Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), Cancer Institute New South Wales, Cancer Council Victoria, Cancer Alliance Queensland, Australian Cancer Data Alliance, and all state and territory cancer registries. The AIHW acknowledges the work of each of these bodies and, importantly, those with lived experience.

BCNA has today published a separate report, From Invisibility to Influence: Progress on MBC data reforms in Australia to be launched by Health Minister Mark Butler at Parliament House in Canberra. The report highlights progress driven by consumer advocacy and sector collaboration, while calling for sustained investment in registry capacity, integrated data systems, and national consistency to close historical gaps and improve equitable, person-centred care.