Breast cancer in young women in Australia
The following data have been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed for women aged 20–39 in 2022
24%
Estimated % of all deaths in 2022 from cancer in women aged 20–39
22%
Incidence for breast cancer in young women
In 2022, breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women aged 20–39.
In 2018, there were 923 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39. In 2022, it is estimated that 1,006 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women aged 20–39. In 2018, the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 was 26 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 will be 28 cases per 100,000 females.
The number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39 increased from 501 females in 1982 to 923 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-specific incidence rate increased from 21 cases per 100,000 females to 26 cases per 100,000 females.
Mortality for breast cancer in young women
In 2022, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cause of death from cancer in women aged 20–39.
In 2020, there were 66 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 72 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39. In 2020, the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 was 1.8 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 will be 2.0 deaths per 100,000 females.
The number of deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 decreased from 101 females in 1982 to 66 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-specific mortality rate decreased from 4.2 cases per 100,000 females to 1.8 deaths per 100,000 females.
Survival for breast cancer in young women
In 2014–2018, young women aged 20–39 diagnosed with breast cancer had a 90% chance of surviving for five years compared to women aged 20–39 in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for young women aged 20–39 with breast cancer cancer improved from 76% to 90%.
Diagnosis of breast cancer in young women by stage
- In 2011, women aged 0−39 years were less likely to be diagnosed in the early stages (Stage 1 and 2) of disease than women aged 40-44 years (72% versus 76%).
- In 2011, women aged 0-39 years were more likely to be diagnosed in the locally advanced stage (Stage 3) than women aged 40-44 years (19% versus 16%).
Stage distribution of breast cancer by age and sex, 2011 (percentage of age group)
|
Age group |
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
Unknown |
|
0-39 |
28.6 |
43.5 |
18.5 |
4.8 |
4.6 |
|
40-44 |
36.4 |
39.4 |
16.0 |
3.8 |
4.5 |
|
45-49 |
40.7 |
39.5 |
13.4 |
3.4 |
2.9 |
|
50-54 |
45.2 |
35.1 |
13.7 |
3.5 |
2.4 |
|
55-59 |
47.5 |
33.8 |
12.3 |
3.6 |
2.8 |
|
60-64 |
52.0 |
31.0 |
10.2 |
3.5 |
3.3 |
|
65-69 |
53.7 |
28.9 |
9.6 |
4.3 |
3.5 |
|
70-74 |
44.6 |
34.8 |
10.2 |
6.2 |
4.2 |
|
75-79 |
38.9 |
36.6 |
10.4 |
5.9 |
8.2 |
|
80-84 |
30.4 |
33.4 |
12.1 |
7.6 |
16.5 |
|
85+ |
17.1 |
32.1 |
9.4 |
7.9 |
33.5 |
Figure 1. Breast cancer incidence and mortality in young women over time, 1982 to 2020
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
Figure 2. Incidence of breast cancer in women, by age group, 1982 to 2018
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
Figure 3. Number of breast cancer deaths in women, by age group, 1982 to 2020
Figure 4. 5-year relative survival for breast cancer for women aged 20–39, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
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