Summary

• Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in females, after skin cancer.
• Risk factors for breast cancer include drinking alcohol, smoking, having a family history or genetic mutation and not being physically active.
• Breast cancer screening aims to find breast cancers before you notice a lump.
• Treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and different types of medicines including chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

These key facts are from healthdirect.gov.au (accessed 27 Jan 2025). Visit the healthdirect website for more information about breast cancer.

Relevant Tests

If your doctor suspects you have breast cancer, they may request one or more tests.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, some of these tests will be used to monitor and manage your condition.

Find information about specific tests:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests
• Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)
• Estrogen and progesterone receptor tests