About Breast Cancer

1 in 7 women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Regular screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early in women over 50. [1]

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a collection of cells in the breast tissue that grow in an uncontrolled way.

There are several types of breast cancer, depending on where the cancer is within the breast, or if it has spread to an area outside the breast.

You can read more about the different types of breast cancer on the Cancer Australia website.

How common is breast cancer in NSW?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in our state, with 1 in 7 women in NSW developing breast cancer in their lifetime.[1]

Having a regular screening mammogram is the most effective way to find breast cancer early in women aged over 50.

Why is early detection of breast cancer so important?

The best time to treat breast cancer is when it is still very small – which is why regular screening mammograms are so important. Attending your 20-minute breast screen appointment every two years could literally save your life!

Most women who are diagnosed with a breast cancer when it is still small can return to their normal lives after successful treatment.

You can find out more about early detection in our brochure, Early Detection is Vital

Where can I get more information about breast cancer?

You’ll find a wide range of breast cancer statistics and facts on the Cancer Australia website

[1] Annual NSW cancer incidence and mortality data set, 2016 (sourced from the NSW Cancer Registry, Cancer Institute NSW). https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/understanding-cancer/cancer-in-nsw/data-calculations

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