Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women: about 20,000 diagnoses a year, and around 200 in men. Survival is among the best of any cancer, at 93% after 5 years.

Know what’s normal for your breasts. No special technique required, just attention.

See your GP soon for any new breast change: a lump or thickening, a change in shape or size, skin dimpling or redness, nipple changes or discharge, or a lump in the armpit. Most changes aren’t cancer, but all need checking.

The numbers

• About 20,100 women and 200 men are diagnosed each year
• About 1 in 8 women are diagnosed by age 85
• 93% of women are alive 5 years after diagnosis

Screening: BreastScreen

• Free mammograms every 2 years for women aged 50 to 74, who get an invitation
• Women 40 and over can book a free BreastScreen too
• No GP referral needed. Call 13 20 50
• Screening is for people without symptoms. A new lump needs your GP, not a screening appointment

Risk factors

• Being a woman, and getting older: most cases are after 50
• A strong family history, or an inherited gene change such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Alcohol: risk rises with every regular drink
• Being above a healthy weight after menopause, and not moving much
• Combined menopausal hormone therapy, especially for more than 5 years (a small increase; worth discussing, not panicking over)

Deodorant, underwire bras and bumping your breast don’t cause breast cancer. The internet has had a long time to drop these.

Tests and treatment

• Triple test: a clinical check, imaging (mammogram and ultrasound) and a needle biopsy
• Surgery: removing the lump (with radiotherapy after) works as well as mastectomy for many early cancers
• Hormone therapy for cancers driven by oestrogen, usually for 5 to 10 years
• Chemotherapy, targeted drugs (such as HER2 treatments) and immunotherapy depending on the type
• Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time or later, if you want it

Save your money

Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.

• Thermography instead of a mammogramNot a substitute. It misses cancers and finds things that aren’t there.
• ‘Alkaline’ or ‘sugar-free’ diets to starve cancerSugar doesn’t feed one cancer more than the rest of you. Eat well, but don’t replace treatment.

Helpful resources

• Cancer Council 13 11 20Information and support line for anyone affected by cancer. Free.
• BreastScreen Australia 13 20 50Free mammograms. Free.
• Breast Cancer Network AustraliaSupport and information for people with breast cancer. Free.

Evidence and more information

• Cancer Australia: Breast cancer statistics
• BreastScreen Australia Program (health.gov.au)
• Cancer Council: Breast cancer

Updated 14 November 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

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