The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Breast cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C50 (Malignant neoplasm of breast).
Incidence for breast cancer in young women
In 2021, breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women aged 20−39 years. It is estimated that breast cancer will remain the most common cause of cancer death in women aged 20–39 years in 2025.
In 2021, there were 970 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years. In 2025, it is estimated that 1,035 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years. In 2021, the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years was 27 cases per 100,000 females. In 2025, it is estimated that the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years will be 26 cases per 100,000 females.
The number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years increased from 502 females in 1982 to 970 females in 2021. Over the same period, the age-specific incidence rate increased from 21 cases per 100,000 females to 27 cases per 100,000 females.
Mortality for breast cancer in young women
In 2025, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cause of death from cancer in women aged 20–39 years.
In 2023, there were 53 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years. In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 60 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years. In 2023, the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years was 1.4 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2025, it is estimated that the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years will be 1.5 deaths per 100,000 females.
The number of deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years decreased from 101 females in 1982 to 53 females in 2023. Over the same period, the age-specific mortality rate decreased from 4.2 deaths per 100,000 females to 1.4 deaths per 100,000 females.
Survival for breast cancer in young women
In 2017–2021, young women aged 20–39 years diagnosed with breast cancer had a 91% chance of surviving for five years compared to women aged 20–39 in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for young women aged 20–39 years with breast cancer improved from 74% to 91%.
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 |
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-in-young-women-figure-1-incidence-and-mortality-rates-1982-2025
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-in-young-women-figure-2-incidence-by-age-group
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-in-young-women-figure-3-mortality-by-age-group
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-in-young-women-figure-4-5-year-relative-survival
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
Find out more
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2025. Cancer Data in Australia web report. Accessed October 2025: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/summary
- Cancer Australia 2019. National Cancer Control Indicators: Distribution of cancer stage. Accessed October 2025: https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/distribution-cancer-stage/distribution-cancer-stage
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015. Breast cancer in young women: key facts about breast cancer in women in their 20s and 30s. Cancer series no. 96. Cat. no. CAN 94. Canberra: AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-women-key-facts-about-brea/summary
