Breast cancer
Health topics Breast health Breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. Symptoms may include a lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple or changes in how the breast or nipple looks. Print / PDF What is breast cancer? Breast cancer risk factors Breast self-checks and cancer screening Reviewed For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit jeanhailes.org.au Key takeaways Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Australia. A safe X-ray called a mammogram is used to detect cancer. If you notice any unusual changes with your breasts, see your doctor. Sections on this page What is breast cancer? Breast cancer risk factors Breast self-checks and cancer screening Print / PDF Key takeaways Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Australia. A safe X-ray called a mammogram is used to detect cancer. If you notice any unusual changes with your breasts, see your doctor. What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the breast. There are different types of breast cancer, but they all start in the milk ducts or milk-producing glands. The cancer may grow into surrounding tissue and spread to other organs in the body. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Australia. About one woman in every 8 is diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85. But many more women in Australia die of heart disease and stroke compared with breast cancer. Breast cancer risk factors Many breast cancer risk factors can’t be changed, such as your family history of breast cancer. But a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk for breast cancer. For example: maintain a healthy weight range avoid drinking alcohol don’t smoke. You can read more about the risk factors by visiting the following websites: Cancer Australia Breast Cancer Network Australia. You can also learn about your individual risk by using the risk calculator on the iPrevent page of the Peter Mac website. If you are concerned about your risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor. Breast self-checks and cancer screening Personal stories about breast cancer Story I’m grateful for my breast cancer journey 5 min Story A ‘beautiful ally’ – friends face menopause in their 20s following breast cancer treatment 4 min Review process Our review process This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence. Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful. We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies. Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally. Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals. We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community. Health information in your language view all

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. Symptoms may include a lump in the breast, discharge from the nipple or changes in how the breast or nipple looks.

Print / PDF

Reviewed

Key takeaways

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Australia.
A safe X-ray called a mammogram is used to detect cancer.
If you notice any unusual changes with your breasts, see your doctor.

Key takeaways

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Australia.
A safe X-ray called a mammogram is used to detect cancer.
If you notice any unusual changes with your breasts, see your doctor.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the breast. There are different types of breast cancer, but they all start in the milk ducts or milk-producing glands. The cancer may grow into surrounding tissue and spread to other organs in the body.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Australia. About one woman in every 8 is diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85. But many more women in Australia die of heart disease and stroke compared with breast cancer.

Breast cancer risk factors

Many breast cancer risk factors can’t be changed, such as your family history of breast cancer. But a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk for breast cancer. For example: