Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer among Australian women and is the most common cause of cancer-related death.

Risk

• The risk of breast cancer increases with age. 1 in 7 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Approximately 25% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women under 50 years and approximately 25% are diagnosed in women over 70 years.
• In 2002, the average age at first diagnosis was 60 years.
• In younger women breast cancers are likely to be larger and more aggressive than in older women.
• Breast cancer can develop in men but it is less common than in women.

Survival

• Early diagnosis and intervention improve the outcome for the patient.
• The five-year relative survival rate for Australian women with breast cancer increased from approximately 70% from 1982-86 to 86% from 1998-2002. This represents the proportion of people who would live for five years after being diagnosed with breast cancer if all other causes of death were excluded.