October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to raise awareness about the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most prevalent among women. Every day, 58 Australians are diagnosed, equating to over 21,000 new cases each year.
A sobering statistic, one in seven women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and despite advances in treatment, over 3,300 Australians, including 33 men, lose their lives to this disease annually.
How does accreditation help?
NATA’s accredited laboratories play a critical role in this fight, with over 100 labs across Australia accredited for anatomical pathology and genetic sequencing of breast tissue. These labs are helping ensure that breast cancer is diagnosed with the highest level of accuracy, supporting both early detection and ongoing research into personalised treatment options.
A complex disease, breast cancer often requires a multifaceted treatment approach. One significant advancement in this field is the accreditation of laboratories for targeted companion diagnostic testing.
Companion diagnostics are in vitro medical devices that provide essential information for the safe and effective use of specific therapies. This targeted therapy is particularly beneficial for certain patients as it enhances the effectiveness of treatment by making it difficult for cancer cells to repair DNA damage.
NATA’s accreditation ensures that laboratories meet stringent quality and safety standards, allowing healthcare providers to make informed treatment decisions based on reliable test results. With accredited laboratories performing these crucial tests, patients can receive personalised treatment plans tailored to their genetic profiles. This not only improves the chances of successful outcomes but also helps to minimise the risk of adverse reactions associated with certain therapies.
With breast cancer diagnoses increasing by 24% over the past decade, access to cutting-edge diagnostic testing is more important than ever. By accrediting laboratories that provide critical testing services, NATA is helping to ensure that Australians can access the best available tools in the fight against breast cancer.
Learn more about NATA’s accredited services here.