International Nurses Day: Reflecting on Our Role in Breast Cancer Awareness and Closing Gaps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women

We have many opportunities to celebrate in May—May the 4th (hello, Star Wars fans!), Mother’s Day on May 11, or International Nurses Day on May 12. May is also packed with health awareness days, such as World Asthma Day, Kidney Health Week, and Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, to name just a few. While it’s hard to choose a favourite health condition or overlook our mums, I would never pass up the opportunity to acknowledge the vital contribution of nurses. Their unwavering dedication, care, and expertise make a profound difference in patients’ lives every day.

While we celebrate our amazing nurses this International Nurses Day, it’s a good time to reflect on critical issues like breast cancer care, where nurses are central to prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management. For many, breast cancer is a deeply personal and urgent health concern, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the challenges are even more pronounced. Disparities in screening, diagnosis, and survival rates emphasise the need for increased awareness, better access to care, and continued advocacy for change.

A career in nursing isn’t without its demands—but when you’re at your most vulnerable, being in the hands of a knowledgeable, empathetic nurse can make all the difference. For many people, a breast cancer diagnosis thrusts them into stressful and vulnerable situations where they rely on the expertise, empathy, and clinical skills of nurses to help navigate their care. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this time can become even more critical due to barriers in accessing shared experiences, community, cultural connection, and culturally safe care.

Despite the potentially devastating impact of a breast cancer diagnosis, only a little over 50% of eligible women participated in the free screening service in 2022-2023 (AIHW, 2024). While we acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on many aspects of healthcare, including screening, we must also consider and address other barriers that contribute to nearly half of the eligible population not accessing this funded service.

Among the eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, only 37% of women participated in breast cancer screening through BreastScreen Australia in 2021–2022 (AIHW, 2024). The AIHW (2024) report notes that participation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were 25% lower than those of non-Indigenous women. While breast cancer incidence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during 2016–2020 was 7% lower, the mortality rate in 2018–2022 was 37% higher compared to non-Indigenous women. Although a lower diagnosis rate may appear encouraging at first glance, the significantly higher mortality rate points to a serious and unacceptable health disparity.

If you haven’t yet explored the Australian Cancer Atlas, it’s a valuable resource offering a visual overview of breast cancer statistics, as well as data on many other types of cancer. The Cancer Atlas allows users to select a specific cancer type and view an interactive map of Australia, highlighting areas with lower, higher, or average diagnosis and mortality rates. By visualising these disparities, the Atlas helps our understanding of the geographic challenges in cancer diagnosis and outcomes, highlighting areas where targeted action could have the greatest impact.

There are several ways primary healthcare providers can support better outcomes for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Firstly, we can contribute to life-changing research through donations and awareness campaigns, like the National Breast Cancer Go Pink Campaign. Additionally, we can ensure that First Nations women have access to culturally appropriate services, support, and treatment. Breast Cancer Network Australia and BreastScreen NSW offer promotional materials, including videos, posters, and patient resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, developed in collaboration with Aboriginal communities. Keep an eye out for the latest television campaign, which features the cancer journey of Jacqui Nean Kahn, a proud Gomeroi woman.

As we reflect on the importance of providing equitable support to all women diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s essential to acknowledge the significant role nurses play in reducing healthcare disparities. By providing culturally appropriate care and promoting early detection, nurses are at the forefront of improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

To support your practice, the CDM Plus Breast Cancer Health Promotion Box offers resources designed to facilitate discussions around breast cancer awareness, screening, and early intervention. Together, we can contribute to closing the gap and ensuring equitable access to care for all.

Australian Government (2024, October 1). BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2024. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer-screening/breastscreen-australia-monitoring-report-2024/summary

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (2025, February 6). BreastScreen Australia Program. BreastScreen Australia Program. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/breastscreen-australia-program

Breast Cancer Network Australia (2023, July 11). Information for First Peoples. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/information-for-first-peoples/

Cancer Council Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, Australian Research Council (2021). Australian Cancer Atlas. Australian Cancer Atlas. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://atlas.cancer.org.au/

National Breast Cancer Foundation (2025). Go Pink. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/event/go-pink/home

NSW Government (2025.). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women. BreastScreen NSW. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/community-support/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-women/

NSW Government (2025). BreastScreen NSW ‘Stay Healthy for You and Your Mob’ Campaign. BreastScreen NSW. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/campaigns/breastscreen-nsw-campaigns/breastscreen-nsw-campaign-aboriginal-women

NSW Government. Helping Mob Live Healthy and Prevent Cancer: Toolkit for the Aboriginal health workforce. Cancer Institute NSW. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/supporting-cancer-care/helping-mob-live-healthy-prevent-cancer-toolkit