Breast cancer is common. About 1 in 14 Australian women develop breast cancer before the age of 75.
Breast cancer can occur in any woman at any age but is most common in older women.
Between the ages of 35-39, about 56 in 100,000 women will develop breast cancer. Between the ages of 45-49 about 163 women from 100,000 will develop breast cancer. We inherit our genes from both parents. Scientists have now identified a few 'inherited' or 'familial' breast cancer genes that contain a mutation. An inherited mutation is a mistake in the gene.