- Patients
- Exploring cancer care
- Conditions we treat
- Breast cancer
What is breast cancer?
Chapter 01
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of the cells lining the breast lobules or ducts. These cells can grow uncontrollably and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.1
In Australia, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and, although rare, can also affect men.2
In 2022, it is estimated that 20,640 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in Australia: 20,428 women and 212 men. The risk of an individual being diagnosed with breast cancer by their 85th birthday is estimated at 1 in 8 for women and 1 in 668 for men.*2
Early detection of breast cancer means that more treatment options may be available, and early diagnosis and treatment can help improve survival outcomes.1,3
*Data from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, October 2022
Types of breast cancer
Breast cancer can be either non-invasive or invasive.
Non-invasive breast cancer describes the presence of abnormal cells that have not invaded the surrounding normal breast tissue. Types of non-invasive breast cancer include:1,3
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Abnormal cells are found within the milk ducts of the breast
- Treatment options include surgery and radiation therapy – your doctor may perform tests to determine which treatments are appropriate for your DCIS
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive breast cancer means that the cancer cells have spread outside the ducts or lobules of the breast to nearby breast tissue. Types of invasive breast cancer include:1,3
- Abnormal cells are found within breast lobules
- May increase the risk of developing cancer, so regular check-ups are important
- Early breast cancer
- Refers to cancer that is contained within the breast and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes in the breast or armpit, but not anywhere else in the body
- The two main types are invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
- Locally advanced breast cancer
- Describes breast cancer that has spread to other nearby areas, such as the chest wall (including the skin and muscles of the chest) and lymph nodes
- Secondary (metastatic or advanced) breast cancer
- Describes breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs
Other ways that breast cancer can be described include:
- Stages (0 to 4) – this system assesses tumour size, whether the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes, and whether it has spread into other parts of the body (metastasised)1,3
- Category (1 to 3) – if cancer is present in the lymph nodes, the category is based on the number and location of lymph nodes affected1,3
- Grade (low, intermediate, or high) – this describes the activity and growth of the cancer cells3
- Hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status – whether the cancer cells have extra HR or HER2 or not3
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Contact us today to find out how GenesisCare can help you.
FAQs
Chapter 02
Frequently asked questions
Breast changes may indicate early signs of breast cancer, and these can vary from person to person. For many people, there may be no obvious signs or symptoms. Breast changes that can be associated with breast cancer include:1,3
- A lump or mass in the breast, especially if in just one breast
- Change in size or shape of the breast
- Swelling or pain in the breast
- Nipple changes (e.g., inversion) or discharge
- Skin changes (e.g., dimpling, redness, scaliness, itchiness)
- A lump, swelling, or pain in the underarm
Other, benign conditions can also cause breast changes, but it’s important to be assessed by a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
If you think you may be experiencing breast cancer symptoms or have any questions about breast cancer or your risk for developing it, we recommend speaking to your doctor.
While the exact cause of breast cancer is unclear, a number of factors can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Some risk factors that cannot be changed include:3
- Increasing age
- Family history of breast cancer
- Genetic mutations
- Exposure to female hormones
- Starting your period early (before the age of 12)
- A previous diagnosis of breast cancer
- History of certain non-cancerous breast conditions
In addition, lifestyle factors such as being overweight, not enough physical activity, and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer.3
Although there is no proven method for preventing breast cancer, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy weight may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer.3
National screening programs
Cancer screening programs aim to pick up cancers in healthy individuals who do not have symptoms. Screening mammography, which is a low dose X-ray taken of the breast, is used for the early detection of breast cancer. The government’s national screening program, BreastScreen Australia, targets women aged 50 to 74 years because 75% percent of all breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 years.1,4
- Women aged 50 to 74 years are encouraged to have a free mammogram every two years
- Women aged 40 to 49 years with no symptoms are also eligible to receive free screening mammograms if desired
- Women aged 75 years and over with no symptoms are also eligible for free screening mammograms but should first discuss options with their GP
Mammograms can be used to detect breast cancer early for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer and can find changes that are too small to be felt during a physical examination.4 If you have symptoms such as a lump but your mammogram is normal, or if you are worried for any other reason, we recommend that you speak with your doctor.
If breast changes are detected on mammography, other tests that may be used to diagnose breast cancer include:3
- Ultrasound – creates images of breast tissue using sound waves
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – creates computerised images of breast tissue using a large magnet and radio waves
- Biopsy – removes a small sample of breast tissue or cells from the lump or area of concern, which is examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells
If these tests detect breast cancer, you may undergo further testing to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. These tests may include blood tests, computerised tomography (CT) scans, bone scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.3
Approximately 5–10% of breast cancer cases are due to an inherited genetic mutation. In addition, a strong family history (e.g., several close relatives on the same side of the family) of breast or ovarian cancer may increase your risk of breast cancer.3
The body naturally produces the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Normal breast cells have oestrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Breast cancer is categorised as ER+ or PR+ when there are too many of the respective receptors. Similarly, tumours that have high levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) proteins on their surface are categorised as HER2+. Triple negative breast cancers are both hormone receptor negative (ER- and PR-) as well as HER2 negative (HER2-).3
Diagnosis
Chapter 03
Diagnosis
Women of all ages should be familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts – knowing what is normal for you can help you see or feel any changes. If you do happen to notice any changes, we recommend that you see your doctor.1
Below is a guide on how to do a breast self-examination
Treatment options
Chapter 04
Treatment options for breast cancer
The treatment plan that your clinician recommends will depend on your breast cancer diagnosis, whether the cancer has spread, your age and general health, as well as your personal preferences.3
Treatment options that are used for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. You may have more than one type of treatment, which may be given in different orders or combinations depending on your situation.3
Radiation therapy uses radiation (usually x-ray beams) to destroy cancer cells in the affected area. There are different modern techniques that allow clinicians to deliver a precisely targeted dose just to the areas of breast tissue and lymph nodes that require treatment.3
Some of the modern techniques used for breast cancer radiation therapy include:
- Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) – uses deep breaths to help target the treatment area and protect the heart and lung during delivery of radiation therapy5
- Hypofractionation – helps to reduce overall treatment time for the patient by delivering a slightly higher radiation therapy dose during each session6
- Tattoo-free treatment – uses surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) to precisely position the patient so that treatment can be accurately targeted at each session without the need for tattoos or other permanent markers on the skin and allowing for shorter daily treatment set-up times7
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) – uses repeated imaging to track and target the treatment site with precision, even as it changes size and shape, allowing dose or position to be adjusted during treatment to protect unaffected tissue8
- Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) – uses a moving machine to shape the arc of radiation to the target area8
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells or reduce their growth and spread. The type of chemotherapy drugs recommended will depend on your breast cancer diagnosis and other factors.3
Hormone therapy may be used for certain types of breast cancer to help reduce the risk of the condition from getting worse or coming back. The type of hormone therapy recommended is based on age and diagnosis.3
Make an enquiry
Contact us today to find out how GenesisCare can help you.
Treatment with GenesisCare
Chapter 05
Understanding more about treatment with GenesisCare
At GenesisCare, we aim to provide you with access to modern breast cancer treatments that precisely target the breast and lymph node areas. When you and your doctor have determined it is appropriate for you, we can offer:
- Access to modern testing capabilities
- Precision testing for DCIS – your doctor may perform tests to determine which treatments are suitable for your DCIS
- Evidence-based treatment options
- Personalised care planning with a dedicated clinician and care team
- Modern techniques for radiation therapy including DIBH, hypofractionation, and tattoo-free radiation therapy
Learn more about breast cancer radiation therapy at GenesisCare
Before you begin treatment with radiation therapy, you may already have had surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy). You may also have had chemotherapy or hormone or targeted therapy.3
You will attend an initial consultation with your radiation oncologist to review your medical records and discuss the treatment process.8 The next step is to attend a planning session with your radiation therapists, who will take CT scans to determine the appropriate positions for your body during your radiation therapy.3,8
After your care team has developed your personalised treatment plan, you will attend your radiation therapy sessions.8 The number of treatment sessions will depend on your individual treatment plan.3
During your daily treatment sessions, your nursing team can help you with any concerns and provide self-care tips for managing any side effects that you may experience. Once you complete your course of radiation therapy, you will see your radiation oncologist to follow-up on how the treatment has worked.8
Emotional support
Chapter 06
Emotional support
A breast cancer diagnosis can be life changing, and you may feel many different emotions. You may experience disbelief, sadness, anger, and loneliness.3 At GenesisCare, we aim to deliver a personalised care experience provided by a team of compassionate healthcare professionals. Your care team aims to know your name as quickly as possible, and to understand who you are as a person.
Your multidisciplinary care team may include radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and nurses who are here to support you before, during, and after your cancer treatment. As part of your care, we may offer you access to a range of allied health support services such as a dietitian, psychologist, exercise physiologist, and physiotherapist to support your needs.3 One of your treatment team will discuss the most suitable options with you.
Helpful services
Chapter 07
Other helpful services
For further support and resources, there are different organisations that you may wish to reach out to. These include:
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)
Tel 1800 500 258
bcna.org.au
Cancer Council
Tel 13 11 20
Cancer.org.au
McGrath Foundation (support from a breast care nurse)
Tel 1800 183 338
mcgrathfoundation.com.au
Look good feel better
lgfb.org.au
Live Life Get Active
livelifegetactive.com
Read Next
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Our centres
In Australia, we have more than 40 oncology centres in metro and regional Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
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Our doctors
Our experienced, specialised doctors offer bespoke, dedicated care aiming to provide the best possible clinical outcomes.
Treatment
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.
Disclaimer
Any medical procedure or treatment involving the use of radiation carries risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.
- Australian Government Cancer Australia. Breast cancer. Updated January 2023. Available: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/overview [accessed May 2023].
- Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer data in Australia. Web report. October 2022. Available: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about [accessed May 2023].
- Cancer Council. Understanding Breast Cancer. July 2022. Available: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer [accessed May 2023].
- Cancer Council. Early detection of breast cancer. Available: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/early-detection-and-screening/early-detection-of-breast-cancer [accessed May 2023].
- Stowe HB, Andruska ND, Reynoso F, Thomas M, Bergom C. Heart Sparing Radiotherapy Techniques in Breast Cancer: A Focus on Deep Inspiration Breath Hold. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). 2022;14:175-186.
- NIH National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Hypofractionated radiation therapy. Available: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms [accessed May 2023].
- Freislederer P, Kügele M, Öllers M, et al. Recent advances in Surface Guided Radiation Therapy. Radiat Oncol. 2020;15(1):187.
- Cancer Council. Understanding Radiation Therapy. December 2021. Available: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/treatment/radiation-therapy [accessed May 2023].