Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in NSW.5752 It’s important to know the facts.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a collection of abnormal cells in the breast tissue that grow in an uncontrolled way.1528
There are different types of breast cancer, depending on where the cancer is located within the breast, or if it has spread to an area outside the breast. You can learn more about the different types of breast cancer on the Cancer Australia website.
There is also more information on the stages of breast cancer available on the Cancer Australia website.
Breast cancer treatment is most effective when cancers are still small and have not spread to other parts of the body. Finding a cancer early can mean treatment is less invasive, survival rates are better, and women can get back to their normal lives more quickly.1536
A risk factor is anything that can increase your chance of developing a certain condition, such as breast cancer. Some risk factors can be changed and some can't.
Getting older and being born female are the two biggest risk factors for breast cancer.
Risk factors you can’t change (non-modifiable) include:
- getting older.
- a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
- inherited genetic factors, such as a faulty or mutated gene.
- medical history, such as previously having radiation therapy, breast cancer or another type of cancer.
- reproductive history, such as starting menstruation very young, reaching menopause late, or not having had children.
- having dense breasts.
Risk factors you can change (modifiable) include:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Not exercising enough.
- Taking some medicines, such as combined hormone therapy or a combined oral contraceptive pill.
Learn more about breast cancer risk factors.
- Stay at a healthy body weight.
- Drink less alcohol.
- Be active.
- Stop (or don’t start) smoking.
- Eat healthy foods, including vegetables and dairy.
- Breastfeed if you’re able to.
Learn more about how to reduce your breast cancer risk.
We recommend a regular mammogram every 2 years for all women aged 50–74 years. For some women, their family history means they may need to screen more often.
If you:
- have a first-degree relative (such as a parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
- are assessed by BreastScreen NSW as needing more frequent monitoring
- are assessed by your doctor as being high risk,
it may be recommended that you have an annual breast screen from age 40.
If you have a blood relative diagnosed with breast cancer over 50 years old and no other contributing factors, then you are at similar risk to developing breast cancer as the general population. You will be offered a breast screen every two years.
Speak to your doctor if you have questions about your family history of breast cancer.
Around 5% of breast cancers are due to a strong family history or genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.1522
It's important to note that most breast cancers are not caused by known genetic factors. Most women who develop breast cancer DO NOT have a family history of the disease.
Yes. 9 out of 10 women who develop breast cancer DO NOT have a family history of the disease.1477 If you’re aged 50–74, we recommend a breast screen every 2 years. We’ll invite you for a regular breast screen.
Higher breast density is linked with a higher risk of developing breast cancer and the size of this risk increases with increasing density.
Breast density can mask or hide cancers because dense tissue and breast cancers both appear white on a breast screen (mammogram). This can make it more difficult to see a cancer in the breast when you have your breast screen.
We encourage women who have questions or concerns about their breast density or breast cancer risk to speak with their GP.
Learn more about breast density.
Using hormone therapy that contains both oestrogen and progestogen is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, with the risk increasing the longer you take it. If you are using hormone therapy, review your needs regularly with your doctor.
