3. Whatever your age, size or shape, it’s important to take care of your body and your breasts. Being breast aware will make you feel more confident and it’s an important part of general body awareness. Breast awareness means getting to know how your breasts look and feel so you know what’s normal for you. It allows you to identify a change in the look and feel of your breasts – most of which will not be related to breast cancer.

5. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women. 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. 6% of cancer diagnoses are in women under 40 – that’s about 3 women every day. The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is increasing. Australian women have a 1 in 9 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 85. In 2007, the average age of first diagnosis in women was 60 years.

6. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Approximately 24 per cent of new breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2007 were in women younger than 50 years; 51 per cent in women aged 50-69; and 25 per cent in women aged 70 and over. Breast cancer isn’t just a women’s disease. About 100 men are diagnosed with it every year. Survival: Women diagnosed with breast cancer are living longer than they did 25 years ago. Prevalence: It is estimated that in 2006 there were 143,967 women alive who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 25 years.

9. Q1. Being a woman? A. Yes. Woman we are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men. Q2. Growing older? A. Yes. About 51 percent of new breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2006 in women aged 50-69; and 25 percent in women aged 70 and over. About six percent of new breast cancer diagnoses are in women younger than 40. Q3. Being a smoker? A. Yes. Smoking is the biggest single cause of cancer in the world – plus, recent evidence suggests it does seem to affect the risk of breast cancer specifically. Risky Business

10. Q4. Using deodorant? A. No. Research has been done on this subject, but it did not find any convincing evidence that antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer. Q5. Wearing an underwire bra? A. No. Underwire bras will not increase the risk Q6. Bumping or bruising the breast? A. No. An injury will not increase the risk of breast cancer. Q7. Having a nipple piercing? A. No. Nipple piercings will not increase the risk of breast cancer, although may increase the risk of infection or it may damage the milk ducts Risky Business

11. Q8. Drinking alcohol? A. Yes. Alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer, so keep your alcohol consumption down Q9. Being physically active? A. No. Active women of all ages are at reduced risk of breast cancer compared to women who do not exercise. And the more exercise you do, the bigger the benefits. Q10. Taking the contraceptive pill? A. Grey Area. Some studies have shown that there was a small increase in risk while women were using combined oral contraceptives and in the 10 years after stopping. The effect of the Pill on breast cancer risk was gradually reduced after cessation and, by 10 years after cessation, was no different than risk for women who had never used the Pill. Other studies have suggested that oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Risky Business

12. Q11. Eating a healthy diet? A. No. Eating a healthy diet isn’t a factor that puts you at risk of breast cancer – in fact, it can actually reduce the risk of getting cancer later in life. Q12. Sleeping in a bra, especially one with an underwire? A. No. There is no scientific proof to show that sleeping in a bra can give someone breast cancer. Q13. Topless sunbathing? A. No. sunbathing topless will not cause breast cancer. There is actually evidence that keeping vitamin D levels topped up via sun exposure may help prevent breast cancer. However, while the sun's ultraviolet radiation is the best source of vitamin D it is also the major cause of skin cancer. In Australia, we need to balance the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure with maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. Risky Business

13. Q14. Strong family history? A. Yes. A woman's risk of breast cancer is two or more times greater if she has a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who developed the disease before the age of 50. A woman's risk also increases with the number of first-degree relatives affected. Q15. Implants and breast reductions? A. No. Surgery does not increase your risk of breast cancer. Breast implants may also make mammography technically more difficult. Q16. Starting menstruation earlier, or starting menopause later? A.Yes. There is a correlation between early menstruation and late menopause and a small to medium increased risk. Risky Business

14. Q17. Giving birth? A. No. Women who have given birth before 30 have a slightly lower risk of breast cancer. Women who have given birth at any age also have a slightly lower risk of breast cancer Q18. Using hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? A. Yes. There is a small risk but it applies to long-term users of HRT (longer than 3 years.) The risk decreases when HRT is ceased and is back to baseline 5 years after HRT is ceased. Q19. Breastfeeding? A.No. Breastfeeding for at least 12 months or longer is generally regarded as being associated with a modes decrease in the risk of developing breast cancer. Q20. Having large breasts? A. No. Women with larger breasts are not more likely to get breast cancer Risky Business

16. The benefits of early detection of breast cancer include increased survival, greater treatment options and improved quality of life. Be breast aware by: - Looking at the shape and appearance of your breasts and nipples in the mirror with your hands by your sides - Raising your arms above your head and looking for a change in the shape of your breasts - Feeling for lumps in your breasts either while lying down or standing up - Feeling for lumps in your nipple area and in the armpit

17. A general change in size or shape. A lump or lumpiness, or even a change in appearance of your breast (such as dimpling redness and appearance of veins). An area that feels different to the rest of your breast. Any pain in your breast. Any change in the shape or appearance of your nipple, such as your nipple being pulled in or development of a rash. A discharge from your nipple, particularly if it’s bloody. A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone.

18. First of all, don’t panic. Most changes in the breast are not related to breast cancer, so chances are you’ll be just fine. However if you do find a lump, or notice a change in your breast, it’s important to visit your GP immediately. Remember, the sooner you see your GP after finding a change in your breast, the better, Your GP will conduct a clinical breast examination to determine whether you will need further testing.

19. Screening mammography, especially for women aged 50-69 years, is currently the best method available for detecting breast cancer early. Breast Cancer found early while it is still small and confined to the breast provides the best chance of effective treatment. Mammography is the only method for early detection that has been shown in clinical trials to reduce deaths from breast cancer across the population. Women aged 50-69 are encouraged to have a free mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Australia. Mammograms are not a reliable screening test for women under 40.

20. Remember regularly check your breasts for any changes we’ve discussed For men, diagnosis tends to be delayed, so if you notice any changes get them checked out quickly Don’t let abnormal become normal Speak to your GP if you have any concerns It’s your body, take control