Breast cancer doesn't discriminate

Women and men of all ages are diagnosed with breast cancer despite statistics showing 75% of diagnosis occur in women aged of 50 years.

Young women and men are at risk of breast cancer, despite 75% of diagnosis being women over the age of 50 years. Picture: Rob Williams

WHAT comes to mind about when you think about breast cancer? It's probably the face of a woman in her 50s, possibly with a grown-up family.

However, the reality of breast cancer is often a very different picture than this.

As the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by this disease, Breast Cancer Network Australia is using the spotlight of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to remind people that breast cancer doesn't discriminate.

This year nearly 16,000 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer and they will come from all walks of life.

While approximately 75% of new cases of breast cancer develop in women over the age of 50, breast cancer also affects young women and men. It is also important to remember that breast cancer affects people from all parts of Australia, and people from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

About 800 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year and 150 men will be diagnosed.

Our message is not to be alarmed but to be aware.

It is not common but breast cancer does affect women in their 20s and 30s.

If you notice a change in your breast, we encourage you to have a conversation with your health professional.

Don't think breast cancer isn't a possibility because of your age, sex or cultural background.

The same applies for men. While breast cancer in men is rare, it does happen.

Often men are diagnosed later due to a lack of awareness that they can get the disease, which leads to poorer health outcomes.

As humans our default setting tends to be 'it won't happen to me'.

That's why a breast cancer diagnosis, or any other serious diagnosis, is a terrifying shock to our system.

There is never a good time to find out you have breast cancer. But if you are diagnosed, know that there is support and information available, no matter what your circumstances. Breast Cancer Network Australia is here to support everyone affected by breast cancer.

Christine Nolan,

CEO, Breast Cancer Network Australia

www.bcna.org.au