News

  • High Risk Individuals
    • Breast Cancer Survival Gene
      14/04/2010
      QIMR researchers, as part of an international collaboration, have found that a gene that is most commonly associated with skin pigmentation, hair and eye colour may influence a patient's chances of surviving cancer.
      ...more
    • Research News NBCF!
      12/04/2010
      Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered that breast stem cells are exquisitely sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone....
      ...more
    • Should Genes be patented
      5/02/2010
      The lawsuit challenges the government's granting of control of patents on BRCA1 and BRCA2 to Myriad Genetics (USA).
      ...more

Breast Cancer Facts

  • Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells in the breast. The disease is  the most common cancer in females.
  • Approximately 1 in 9 (13,500 annually) women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer up to the age of 85.
  • Breast cancer can occur at any age. The average age of women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer is 59 years. However, about a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years.
  • Breast cancer can also develop in men, although this is rare. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancer.
  • However, death rates from breast cancer continue to decline.
  • As screening programs become more common, more cases of breast cancer are being detected in the earlier stages of the disease, when they are more easily and successfully treated.
  • Changes in the breast to look for include: an abnormal lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area, any change in the size or shape of the breast, abnormal discharge from the nipple, change in the colour or texture of the breast, areola, or nipple, any dimpling or puckering of the breast. If you notice any of these changes see your doctor immediately to have them checked.
Incidence of breast cancer, 1983 to 2002 and projections to 2011 
Breast cancer (females)
 
1983               1987                1992             1997                2002               2006(a)                      2011(a)
5,318           6,680            8,022         10,175          12,027          13,261         14,818
 
Breast cancer (males)
 
1983               1987             1992            1997               2002                2006(a)        2011(a)
43                56               47             71                 84                106              122

 

How Common is Breast Cancer in Young Women?


While 75% of breast cancer cases develop in women 50 years and older, younger women can still develop the disease. Almost 6% of new breast cancer cases are among women under the age of 40 years.

In Australia each year, about 700 women under the age of 40 years are diagnosed with breast cancer. Overall survival from breast cancer has increased in recent years. Most recent data shows that about 90% of women aged between 40 and 69 years at diagnosis will be alive after 5 years. However, for women younger than 40 years, survival is lower. Of younger women diagnosed with breast cancer, approximately 82.4% of those aged 20-29 years and 84.8% of those aged 30-39 years will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
 
Even Men get breast cancer. Click here to read further information.

For the most up-to-date statistics on breast cancer go to the
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre.