There has been no detailed national information about breast cancer, except for the report detailing age-specific numbers of all cancer cases released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. As a result, it has not been possible to accurately estimate even such basic indicators as the numbers of cases of early breast cancer occurring in Australia. Similarly, there has been no national information about women's understanding of breast cancer or early detection and therefore little opportunity to systematically plan public information programs. There have been no national or detailed local studies of the diagnostic process and only only two investigations of pathology reporting, in New South Wales and Western Australia. 71-74 Other than by individual institutions or clinicians, there have been no other published audits of breast cancer management.
Nothing is known about consumer responses to their care.
The only data related to breast cancer at a national level that have been collected and reported consistently have been administrative data about bed and other hospital resource use. It should also seek to work to develop better information systems. These data are vital to the provision of effective public health programs. This belief may result in women over the age of 50 not participating in mammographic screening as they may perceive themselves to be at reduced risk. The Breast Health Survey report provides comparisons between women living in different geographic areas and with different levels of education allowing information programs to be better targeted.