New research reveals a gap between Australians’ awareness of breast cancer and the reality that nine lives are lost every day

New consumer research suggests decades of progress in breast cancer outcomes are reshaping public perceptions of the disease in Australia. While awareness remains high, the findings indicate many Australians may not fully recognise the impact breast cancer continues to have on individuals and families.

While research has helped reduce Australia’s breast cancer death rate by more than 40 per cent over the past three decades, nine Australians still die from the disease every day.

Commissioned by the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) – Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation funding world-class breast cancer research – the survey’s findings reveal significant gaps in Australians’ understanding of breast cancer outcomes and impact.

Nearly two in three underestimate how many people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and around eight in ten underestimate the likelihood of the disease returning and spreading. While around half underestimate the number of Australians who die from breast cancer each day, highlighting a limited understanding of the scale of the disease and the challenges that can persist long after treatment.

Dr Cleola Anderiesz, CEO, NBCF said

“Research has transformed breast cancer outcomes, helping more Australians survive the disease than ever before. Yet breast cancer remains one of our most significant health challenges. As the number of diagnoses continues to grow, so too does the number of Australians dying from the disease. These findings highlight why we cannot afford to become complacent – the job is not done. Research is the answer. It is what has driven progress to date, and it is what will help us reduce the impact of breast cancer and save more lives in the years ahead.”

The findings come as NBCF launches its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, Unfinished Stories, shining a light on the lives still being cut short and reinforcing the critical role research plays in achieving NBCF’s vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. The campaign is built on a simple truth: while research has transformed outcomes, too many lives are still ending too soon.

The findings also highlight how research progress is influencing attitudes towards breast cancer. Nearly two in three see breast cancer as more manageable than other cancers, and more than half believe treatment advances have altered public perceptions of the disease.

“While these perceptions reflect the progress achieved through decades of research, they also underscore a disconnect between public perception and the reality of breast cancer today. Nine people a day in Australia die from this disease. Continued investment in research is essential if we are to reduce that toll”, adds Dr. Cleola Anderiesz.

Encouragingly, Australians overwhelmingly recognise the critical role research plays in improving breast cancer outcomes. More than half believe research has had a major impact on helping people diagnosed with breast cancer live longer and healthier lives, while almost nine in ten say continued investment in breast cancer research is very or extremely important.

“Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death for women in Australia. That’s not a statistic from the past, it’s the reality today. What gives me hope is that Australians clearly understand the power of research: almost nine in ten tell us continued investment is essential. Every breakthrough in early detection, treatment and prevention has been made possible by research, and its research that will ultimately close the gap between where we are now and a future of Zero Deaths from breast cancer”, Dr Cleola Anderiesz.

NBCF’s Unfinished Stories campaign is designed to make the lives lost from breast cancer impossible to ignore. Cleola emphasises that behind every breast cancer death is a person whose future was cut short and whose story remains unfinished.

“Behind every one of those nine daily deaths is a person, a family and a future cut short. These are the unfinished stories, the milestones that will never be reached and the memories that will never be made. That’s what this campaign is about: refusing to look away. Research is what changes the ending,” Dr Cleola Anderiesz.

The campaign is a powerful reminder that while progress has changed outcomes, the story is not yet finished. To support Unfinished Stories and help fund life-saving breast cancer research this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit nbcf.org.au/donate.