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This information has been reviewed by:
Dr Meron Pitcher (Chair VCOG Breast Cancer Committee), Surgeon, Western Hospital
Use the links above and text below to learn more about breast cancer or download a pdf of our latest breast cancer booklet. See also our genetics and breast cancer and breast health pages.
A family history and genetic testing
Breast tissue is made up of milk glands, supportive fibrous tissue, fatty tissue, arteries, veins, lymph vessels and nerves. The milk glands consist of lobules, where milk is made, and ducts, which take the milk to the nipple. In women, breasts develop and change through their life under the influence of the hormones normally produced by the ovary.
Men also have breast tissue.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumour which starts in breast tissue. There are several types of breast cancer. They all begin in the milk ducts and/or the milk lobules (see diagrams below).
Some breast cancers are found when they are ‘in situ'. This means they have not spread outside the duct or lobule where they
began. However, most breast cancers are found when they are ‘invasive'. This means the cancers have grown beyond the duct or
lobule into other breast tissue or out of the breast.
Breast cancer which spreads out of the breast may also spread to lymph nodes in the armpit nearest the breast affected by cancer (axillary lymph nodes).
Breast cancer which is found before it appears to have spread beyond the breast and axillary lymph nodes is known as early breast cancer.
This information is mostly about early breast cancer. Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones and liver, is known as advanced breast cancer. If you would like information about advanced breast cancer, please contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
The exact cause of breast cancer is not known. The risk of getting breast cancer increases:
Some other factors that may increase a woman's risk by a small amount include:
Having some of these risk factors does not mean that you will get breast cancer. Most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors.
In men, the main risk factor is abnormal enlargement of the breasts (gynaecomastia), due to drug, chemical or hormone treatments, or because of Klinefelter's syndrome. Men's risk increases where there is a family history of male breast cancer or a
strong family history of breast cancer.
A family history and genetic testing Some cases of breast cancer (about 5%) are thought to be due to an inherited gene change. Women in families with this inherited gene change could also be at more risk of ovarian cancer.
Men in these families may also be at more risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.
People with a strong family history of breast cancer can be tested to see if they have inherited a gene change. There are reasons for and against being tested. If you would like to know more, ask your doctor about the Victorian Family Cancer Genetics Service or contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
One in 11 Australian women will develop breast cancer at some time. Although it occurs in younger women, it is most common in women over the age of 50. In Victoria, around 3000 women are diagnosed each year.
Men can develop breast cancer. In Victoria about 20 men are diagnosed every year.
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Breast cancer: a guide for people with cancer, their families and friends |
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National Breast Cancer Centre The National Breast Cancer Centre website is designed to be a one-stop site for information about breast cancer in Australia and includes the National directory of hospital based services for women with breast cancer. http://www.nbcc.org.au |
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A hugely popular relay-style event that raises money for cancer research.
