Factsheet: Breast Cancer

Prevention, Cure and other information about Breast Cancer

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the breast. Normally, the body's cells reproduce themselves in an orderly manner so that growth occurs and damaged or worn-out tissues are replaced. Sometimes, however, cells continue growing into a mass of tissue called a tumour, which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Malignant cells can build up into a lump or tumour. In some cases, the malignant cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. New cancers formed in this way are called secondaries or metastases.

In NSW, breast cancer is the most common cancer in females with approximately 1 in 11 women developing the disease before the age of 75 years. About 900 women die in NSW each year from breast cancer. The average age at which breast cancer is diagnosed is 64 years.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS?
Most breast changes are not cancer, but you should see your general practitioner if you notice any of these:

Ø Lump in the breast
Ø Thickening of the breast skin
Ø Dimpling of the breast skin
Ø Discharge from the nipple,
Ø Factors that are known to increase an individual's chance of developing breast cancer are:

• Being female
  

• Increasing age
  

• A family history of breast cancer.

HOW CAN I PREVENT BREAST CANCER?
The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the better the chances are of successfully treating it. There are a number of ways to detect breast cancer at an early stage, including:

Ø Mammography - Women aged 50-69 should have a mammogram (breast X-ray) every two years.
Ø Clinical Breast Examination - Your general practitioner should examine your breasts each year for any lumps or unusual changes.
Ø Breast Self-Examination - You should examine your breasts regularly (monthly) and see your general practitioner if you notice any breast changes.

HOW CAN BREAST CANCER BE TREATED?
Breast cancer can be treated effectively. There are several different treatments available and these are often used in combination, depending on individual circumstances. Possible treatments are:

Ø Surgery - this could be the removal of the cancer and a small part of the breast surrounding it (lumpectomy) or the removal of the entire breast (mastectomy).

Ø Chemotherapy - this is a course of drugs given to kill or control the cancer cells.

Ø Radiotherapy - this is a course of high energy X-rays to the breast area to kill the cancer or control the cells.

Ø Hormone therapy - this treatment controls the growth of cancer cells that need the female hormone, oestrogen, to grow.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Talk to your General Practitioner (GP) or contact:

* NSW Cancer Council's Cancer Information Service, Phone: 131120, or (02) 9334 1933, toll free 1800 422 760, TTY (for the deaf) (02) 9334 1865

* NHMRC National Breast Cancer Centre, Phone: (02) 9334 1700

* Breast Screen, Phone: 132050

* NSW Breast Cancer Institute, Phone: (02) 9845 6728

This information was prepared with reference to the following publications and/or Web Sites:

Ø All about early breast cancer NHMRC National Breast Cancer Centre, Sydney, 1996.
Ø A Consumer's Guide: Early Breast Cancer National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra, 1995.
Ø Breast cancer fact sheet NSW Cancer Council, Sydney, 1998.

This Fact Sheet is brought to you courtesy of NSW Health

Download more info:
Factsheet: Breast Cancer

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