Women in regional Australia consistently face lower survival rates for breast cancer than women living in cities, according to a new study.
The Cancer Council Queensland study was the first systematic review of breast cancer outcomes for Australian women depending on where they lived.
Cancer Council Queensland Head of Research Professor Joanne Aitken said women living in non-metropolitan areas continued to face stark inequalities compared to those living in metropolitan areas.
"Compared to metropolitan women, women living in non-metropolitan areas had lower survival, and were more likely to undergo a mastectomy rather than breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer," Professor Aitken said.
"Among other factors, poorer breast cancer survival reflects differences in stage at diagnosis, treatment and socioeconomic disadvantage."
She said the study highlighted the need to "better understand inequalities in advanced breast cancer, treatment choices and follow-up care after treatment by residential area".
According to the Cancer Council, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia and the second most common cancer to cause death in women, after lung cancer.
The group says while five-year relative survival is at 90 per cent, treatment choices can affect quality of life long after treatment has finished for cancer survivors.
"It's vital that all women, no matter where they live, have the opportunity to access suitable treatment and care options that will improve quality of life long after treatment," Professor Aitken said.
