BREAST CANCER STATISTICS

Breast Cancer: The Most Common Cancer Among Women

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 2.3 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year. In Australia and New Zealand (Aotearoa), it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. 

While more people are being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, thanks to improved screening techniques and treatments, less people are dying from the disease. Without clinical trials research, such as that conducted by Breast Cancer Trials, this wouldn’t be possible.

Breast Cancer Statistics for Australia and New Zealand

Prevalence of Cancer in Australia

It is estimated that more than 21,194 people in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. While the prevalence of breast cancer in Australia is increasing, more people than ever are surviving their disease and clinical trials research has played a significant role in this improvement.

Prevalence of Breast Cancer in New Zealand

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in New Zealand. The prevalence of breast cancer has increased slightly over the past 20 years for both wāhine (female) Māori and non-Māori women, which researchers attribute to increased exposure and hormonal factors, as well as the expansion of the national breast screening program in 2004 to include women aged 45 – 69.

Breast Cancer Rates in Australia and New Zealand

Breast Cancer Incidence (Diagnosis) in Australia

In Australia, it is estimated that 21,194 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, which equates to 20,973 women and 221 men. 

This number has significantly increased since records began. In 1983, 5,316 women and 61 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. This increasing incidence of breast cancer is thought to be due to a number of reasons including reproductive and hormonal factors, and improved screening and awareness.

Read more about why a growing number of women are being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older, with the average age of first diagnosis being 61 years of age.

Thanks to the Breast Screen Australia program, which invites women aged 50 to 74 to participate in free screening mammograms, it’s more likely breast cancer will be diagnosed at an early stage. This greatly increases a person’s chance of surviving their disease.

Breast Cancer Incidence (Diagnosis) in New Zealand

In New Zealand (Aotearoa), it’s estimated more than 3,600 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year. 

Breast Cancer Survival Rates in Australia and New Zealand

Survival Rates in Australia

In Australia, more people are surviving their breast cancer diagnosis than ever before. Thanks to the advancements made through clinical trials research, there are more tailored and advanced treatments, preventions, and screening techniques available.

However, for some people, their breast cancer will progress to an advanced or metastatic stage and this greatly reduces their chances of survival. 

Your age and stage of disease has an impact on your chance of surviving five years past your breast cancer diagnosis. Those diagnosed with stage one breast cancer have an almost 100% chance of surviving five years post diagnosis, however those diagnosed with stage four breast cancer only have a 32% chance of surviving five years post diagnosis. 

Overall, the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is 92%, and 87% for men.

In 2024, it’s estimated that 3,272 women and 36 men will die from breast cancer in Australia. 

Survival Rates in New Zealand

Breast cancer survival rates in New Zealand (Aotearoa) are improving. Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will now survive their disease. Although slightly lower than Australia’s survival rate, New Zealand’s (Aotearoa) rates are still positive with 89% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer surviving five years past their diagnosis. This has increased from 79% since 1999.

However, this rate doesn’t illustrate the reality for those with advanced or metastatic disease who, despite improved treatments can still die from the disease. It’s estimated that around 670 people will die from their breast cancer this year in New Zealand (Aotearoa), around 75 of these will be wāhine (female) Māori. 

However, an evaluation of the national screening program Breast Screen Aotearoa from 1999 to 2011 found that participation in the screening program reduced mortality from breast cancer in women overall by 34%. This benefit was slightly lower in wāhine (female) Māori at 28%, but researchers say this discrepancy is due to lower numbers of wāhine (female) Māori participating in the program. 

Breast Cancer Risk in Australia and New Zealand

Cancer Risk in Australia

A woman’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is 1 in 7. For men it is 1 in 556. However, there are a number of ‘risk factors’ that can increaseor decrease this liklihood. 

A risk factor is something about a person, or what that person is exposed to, that increases their chances of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. There are many different risk factors that can increase or decrease an individual’s personal risk of developing breast cancer. This includes genetic factors, such as an inherited genetic mutation like BRCA1 or BRCA2 or lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking, or lack of exercise. Although just because you have some risk factors does not mean you will be diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Learn more about breast cancer risk factors.

You can assess your risk factors and their impact on your cancer risk using the iPrevent tool.

Cancer Risk in New Zealand

In New Zealand (Aotearoa), the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer for women is 1 in 9. 

It’s important women in New Zealand (Aotearoa) participate in regular breast screening every two years between the ages of 45 to 69 years. Participating in regular screening has been proven to reduce illness and death from breast cancer by detecting the disease early.

Learn more about clinical trials research, or find out more about our open clinical trials.