Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in NSW.1470 It’s important to know the facts.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a collection of abnormal cells in the breast that grow in an uncontrolled way.1528 Breast cancer can affect any woman. You don’t need a family history of the disease to be at risk of developing breast cancer. 1 in 7 women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they turn 85.1548
There are different types of breast cancer. You can learn more about the different types of breast cancer on the Cancer Australia website.
Breast cancer treatment is most effective when cancers are still small. Finding a cancer early can mean treatment is less invasive, survival rates are better, and the woman can return to normal life sooner.1473
Age and being female are the biggest risk factors for breast cancer.1470 Other risk factors include (but are not limited to)1743:
• family history of breast cancer
• personal history of breast cancer (previous diagnosis)1745, 1744
• using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)/hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that contains both oestrogen and progestogen
• higher than average breast density
• lifestyle factors.
- Stay active.
- Drink less alcohol.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Stop (or don’t start) smoking.
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.
From the age of 40, we recommend women have a breast screen every year if:
- they have a first-degree relative (i.e. their parent, sibling or child) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50.
- they are assessed by BreastScreen NSW or their doctor as being at high risk, using the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre iPrevent™ breast cancer risk assessment tool. The iPreventTM tool assesses breast cancer risk and takes into account age, reproductive factors, lifestyle factors and family history of breast cancer.
If you fall into either of these categories, you may need extra monitoring and tests that BreastScreen NSW does not provide. You may wish to talk to your doctor about a going to a familial cancer clinic for further assessment.
In a very small number of cases, breast cancer can be caused by an inherited faulty gene.1522 But you might find it reassuring to know:
- Most breast cancers are not caused by genetic factors
- The earlier a cancer is detected, the greater the chance of successful treatment
- Having a family history doesn’t mean you will develop breast cancer.
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 associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.1524 Breast density also has an impact on screening effectiveness, as it can mask or hide cancers. This is because dense tissue and breast cancers both appear white on an x-ray.
Even with dense breasts, a breast screen every two years is still the most effective population-based screening tool to detect breast cancer early in women without symptoms aged 50–74.1539
If you have concerns about your breast density, speak to your doctor about your personal risk and the options for other tests.
Using a combined oestrogen-progestogen menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also referred to as combined hormone replacement therapy, or combined HRT, can increase your risk of breast cancer.1523 Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
