Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

Scroll for more...

In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

Run detailed and customised reports on specific cancers, with comparisons on age, genders and geography:

Online statistics module

Breast cancer

Share this page Email this page to a friend Share this page via Twitter Share this page via Facebook Share this page via LinkedIn

Breast cancer accounts for 28 per cent of all new cancer in women in NSW and 16 per cent of female cancer deaths. Men can contract breast cancer however cases are rare and represent 0.2 per cent of all new cancer in men.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 42 1.2 -- 4,376 112.7 icon-trend-static.png 4,418 58.8
Deaths 5 0.1 -- 904 21.6 positive trend downwards 11% 909 11.6
Relative survival
(5 year)		 -- -- 88% Unchanged -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the causes the second most deaths in women.
  • One in nine women will develop breast cancer by the age of 85.
  • It is expected 4,641 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and that the disease will cause 921 deaths.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

NSW breast cancer incidence, 1972-2008

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

NSW breast cancer mortality, 1972-2008

 

Risk factors

  • The risk of breast cancer increases with age.
  • Reproductive factors also increase risk such as:
    • not having children
    • having children after the age of 30
    • early onset of menarche
    • late onset of menopause
    • no, or limited, breast feeding.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Obesity.
  • Family history, especially when diagnosed in a mother or sister.
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk and recurrence of breast cancer.

 

Prevention

Protective factors include regular physical activity and high vegetable consumption. Breast feeding is also suggested to be protective.

Detection and screening

Early detection offers the best chance of long-term survival from breast cancer.

The BreastScreen NSW program actively targets women from the age of 50 to 69 years.

Research shows that screening women in this age group has the most benefit in terms of reducing breast cancer mortality rates. It is recommended that these women have a mammogram every two years.

All women should be aware of the normal look and feel of their breasts and speak to their doctor immediately if any unusual changes are noticed.

Research

More than $35 million was spent on breast cancer research in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
Top of page