The Facts - Breast Cancer In Australia Today

Based on the latest national figures available, from 2006 *.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Australia, with

more than 13,000 new cases expected this year- new diagnoses are also

expected in 95 men.

More than 2,640 women will die from the disease in a single year- making it

the leading cause of cancer-related death in females. Early detection is the

best method for reducing deaths from breast cancer.

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing, but with continued support and

funding from organisations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation,

improvements in research mean survival rates are on the rise.

• ·         One in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease by the age of 85.
• ·         A total of 2,641 women died from breast cancer in Australia in 2004, making it the most common cause of cancer-related death in women. In addition, there was an average of 601 additional cases per year from 2000–2004 in which breast cancer was an associated cause but not the underlying cause of death.
• ·         Despite the substantial loss of life, prospects for survival are better than ever. Over 96% of women will survive at least one year after diagnosis, and almost 87% will survive five years or more – a 15% increase since the 1980’s.
• ·         In Australia, there are currently 113 801 women and 730 men who are alive after being diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 20 years.
• ·         Breast cancer death rates (1994 to 2003) declined by an average of 2% per year. Survival is improving due to better detection and improved treatment resulting from excellent research.
• ·         Survivors often encounter problems ranging from physical limitations to psychosocial difficulties following diagnosis and treatment. These issues are now emerging as new targets for researchers.
• ·         Getting older is the most common risk factor: about 13% of new cases are among women aged 20-44, 61% in women aged 45-69 and 26% among women over 70. Women of all ages need to understand the importance of finding and treating breast cancer early.
• ·         Survival is improving due to better detection and improved treatments which are the result of excellent research.

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