What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast tissue become abnormal and grow in an uncontrolled way. If not treated, the cancer may continue to grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer statistics

It is estimated that one in 10 Queensland women will develop breast cancer before the age of 80. In Queensland, the five year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is 88.7 per cent, that is, a women diagnosed with breast cancer has an 88.7 per cent chance of survival for the next five years (Queensland Cancer Registry, 2010).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian and Queensland women and the second most common cause of death among Queensland women (Queensland Cancer Registry, 2010). In Queensland, 2,469 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 498 women died from breast cancer during 2007 (Queensland Cancer Registry, 2010).

There has been a 28% reduction in death from breast cancer from 1994-2006 (BreastScreen Queensland, 2010). This trend is very encouraging and can be attributed to breast cancer screening along with improvements in management and treatment and advances in drug therapy.

In 2009/10 financial year, 226,202 women in Queensland were screened for breast cancer within the BreastScreen Queensland Program, with a participation rate during the biennial period 2008-2009 of 58.3 per cent among women aged 50 to 69 years. Many experts hold the view that mammographic screening has made a substantial contribution to the decline in breast cancer mortality (Baade & Coory, 2002).

In 2007, the major causes of cancer-related death in Queensland men were lung, prostate and bowel compared to lung, breast and bowel cancer for Queensland women. The lifetime risk for Queensland men in developing breast cancer before the age of 80 years is one in 658 compared to a lifetime risk of one in ten for Australian women (before the age of 80) (Queensland Cancer Registry, 2010). Breast cancer is rare in men and it is important that men have regular health checks with their doctor and if they are concerned at all about any breast changes, seek medical advice promptly (AIHW, 2009).