Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the breast. The cancer may grow into surrounding tissues and spread to other organs of the body. Breast cancer can develop at any age. It is most common in women but also affects a small number of men each year.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian women. A small number of men are also diagnosed each year.

Breast cancer can develop at any age but the risk increases significantly with age. Around 75% of all breast cancers in Australia are diagnosed in women over the age of 50.

There are several types of breast cancer, depending on where the cancer is within the breast and whether the cancer has spread outside the breast.