The data on this page have been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Estimated number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20-39 in 2024 = 1,022
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed for women aged 20-39 in 2024 = 23%
Estimated number of deaths from breast cancer in young women aged 20-39 in 2024 = 69
Estimated % of all deaths in 2024 from cancer in women aged 20-39 = 22%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2016−2020) = 90%
Incidence for breast cancer in young women
In 2024, breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women aged 20–39 years.
In 2020, there were 926 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years. In 2024, it is estimated that 1,022 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years. In 2020, the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years was 25 cases per 100,000 females. In 2024, it is estimated the age-specific incidence rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years will be 28 cases per 100,000 females.
The number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women aged 20–39 years increased from 500 females in 1982 to 926 females in 2020. Over the same period, the age-specific incidence rate increased from 21 cases per 100,000 females to 25 cases per 100,000 females.
Mortality for breast cancer in young women
In 2024, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cause of death from cancer in women aged 20–39 years.
In 2022, there were 74 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 69 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years. In 2022, the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years was 2.0 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2024, it is estimated the age-specific mortality rate for breast cancer in women aged 20–39 years will be1.8 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 74 females in 2022. Over the same period, the age-specific mortality rate decreased from 4.2 cases per 100,000 females to 2.0 deaths per 100,000 females.
Survival for breast cancer in young women
In 2016–2020, young women aged 20–39 years diagnosed with breast cancer had a 90% chance of surviving for five years compared to women aged 20–39 in the general Australian population. Between 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for young women aged 20–39 years with breast cancer improved from 77% to 90%.
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: statistic-breast-in-young-women-age-specific-incidence-mortality
Graph: statistic-breast-cancer-in-young-women-incidence-by-age
Graph: statistic-breast-cancer-young-women-number-deaths
Graph: statistic-breast-in-young-women-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 2024. Cancer data in Australia web report. Canberra: Accessed June 2025: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer Data in Australia web report. Accessed June 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 June 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.
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019. Australian Burden of Disease Study: impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2015. Australian Burden of Disease series no. 19. Cat. no. BOD 22. Canberra: AIHW.
