About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women in 2009, with 4606 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in that year in NSW. The incidence of breast cancer increased, with 15, 270 cases of breast cancer Australia-wide in 2012. By 2021, 17,210 will be diagnosed.

A woman’s breast is made up of 15 to 20 segments (lobes) in which there are smaller segments (lobules). These lobules are connected by tubes (ducts) that eventually join up and lead to main ducts at the nipple. The lobules are the milk producing parts of the breast. THe ducts help to take the milk to the nipple during breastfeeding. In between the ducts and lobules there is fat fibrous tissue holding all the structures together.

Disclaimer

This site contains information, data, documents, policies, procedures, guidelines, images and general health promotion material pages prepared by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute ("the Information") for and on behalf of the Western Sydney Local Health District. Westmead Breast Cancer Institute wishes to make available the Information to better inform the community. The information is protected by copyright.

The information also includes information derived from various third parties ("the third party Information") which is neither endorsed or supported by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or State of New South Wales and does not necessarily reflect any policies, procedures, standards or guidelines of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Western Sydney Local Health District or the State of New South Wales.
Whilst the Information and the third party Information contained on this site have been presented with all due care, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of New South Wales do not warrant or represent that the information or the third party information are free from errors or omissions.

The information and the third party information are made available on the understanding that Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW and their respective employees and agents shall have no liability (including liability by reason of negligence) to the users for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and/or the third party information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or the third party information or otherwise.

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Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Australia

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