The Nationals WA have made calls to provide funding to increase the number of breast care nurses in regional areas state-wide.
Nationals WA leader Mia Davies moved a motion at party's annual state conference held in Exmouth last month, calling for the state government to provide additional funding to service the growing number of people requiring support following a breast cancer diagnosis.
"The motion came from our Central Wheatbelt branch and received full support from the delegates in attendance from across the State," Ms Davies said.
"The McGrath Foundation provides essential support for women and their families but they need additional funds to meet a service gap, particularly for regional patients."
There are 132 McGrath Breast Care nurses across the nation, with 14 in Western Australia.
Ms Davies said that the foundation had only received funding support from the NSW and Commonwealth Government - no financial support has been provided by the WA government.
"Nearly 2000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Western Australia this year and we need to ensure there is appropriate support for them and their families," she said.
"In the past ten years the number of people living post a breast cancer diagnosis has gone up 30 percent."
McGrath Foundation calculates that for every dollar invested there's a return of $1.31 in released capacity in the local health care system.
"For example, the foundation says that with the support of a breast care nurse patients make two fewer visits to the emergency department if they are connected with the service from the first week of diagnosis," Ms Davies said.
"The service is entirely free, and the patient is supported for the duration of their cancer journey."
The Nationals passed a second motion calling on the state government to investigate ways in which greater support could be provided to assist men and women with cancer to help mitigate the costs of treatment and recovery.
"A diagnosis of cancer can have significant financial impact on the patient and their families, and there are out-of-pocket expenses to be faced that aren't underwritten by private health insurance, for those that have it," Ms Davies said.
"In the case of a breast cancer diagnosis there are additional hidden and non-medical costs, like wigs, head-scarves, new clothing and compression garments.
"Many women have costs that continue for longer than the first five years after diagnosis, including hormone therapy drugs, follow-up care, lymphedema treatment, physiotherapy and counselling.
"A breast cancer diagnosis for many women can be the loss of their financial independence and some may find themselves in situations where they have to live with family or friends."