Studies Find Pasifika Women Lagging Access to Breast Cancer Care and Treatment

Two studies from the University of Waikato released today show the cost of breast cancer treatment is increasing as results continue to vary between Pacific and non-Pacific women. The studies show that each breast cancer patient is now receiving an average of nearly $45,000 in treatment.

The number of cases is also rising, although 80 percent of breast cancer patients are now surviving for more than 10 years. The greatest costs were for women with advanced disease and costs were greater in younger women. One of the biggest costs were for immunotherapy such as for trastuzumab (Herceptin).

The studies also show that treatment of metastatic breast cancer is varying by age and between European, Māori and Pacific patients. While Māori and European patients had good access to systemic treatments for metastatic breast cancer, Pacific women with metastatic breast cancer were less likely to receive chemotherapy and Herceptin than non-Pacific women.

University of Waikato Senior author for both studies Professor Ross Lawrenson says they are a signal New Zealand needs more funding for cancer treatments as survival rates improve and more personalised treatments become available. He says it also shows New Zealand has work to do to ensure Pacific patients receive equitable care.

“The study shows that with regards the treatment of metastatic breast cancer we have achieved equity of access for Māori women, but this study shows we are lagging well behind with our Pacific community and we have a lot of work to do. Pacific women are more likely to have HER2+ (positive) disease, and the study shows the beneficial impact of Herceptin on outcomes.”

The incidence of breast cancer in New Zealand has increased 28 percent between 2009 and 2018, and while new personalised drugs and diagnostic tools have improved patient outcomes, they have also led to much higher costs.

Professor Lawrenson says the results are the first step in understanding the costs associated with breast cancer treatment and will eventually assist in assessing different therapies in the future.

The studies were published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal.