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More than a thousand young women a year are now being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, as incidence of the deadly disease continues to rise.
The increase has prompted cancer specialists at Mater to urge women aged 20-39 to be “breast aware,” carry out regular breast health checks – and never ignore lumps or changes in breast tissue.
Mater Private Hospital Brisbane breast cancer surgeon Dr Ben Lancashire said breast cancer now accounts for almost a quarter of all new breast cancer cases diagnosed in young women.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of young women with breast cancer, and these patients are more likely to have more aggressive and advanced cancers on presentation,” Dr Lancashire said.
According to Cancer Australia, an estimated 1035 women aged 20-39 years-old were diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia last year, with diagnosis rates rising steadily since the 1980s[1].
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women under 40 in Australia, claiming 60 lives a year.
Almost 30,000 Queenslanders will raise awareness of the disease – and critical funds for breast cancer research and services – at the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run, presented by Queensland X-Ray on March 8.
Cancer survivor Clemence Thompson is aiming to be one of them.
For Ms Thompson, 35, a young and fit mum-of-two, breast cancer was the last thing on her mind when she discovered a small lump while breast feeding her baby daughter Frankie.
“I just thought it was a blocked milk duct, and for me that was a regular occurrence, so I just assumed it would go away on its own,” Ms Thompson said.
“With the juggle of looking after two young kids and working full-time, I didn’t really think much about it.”
It was only after a conversation with a work colleague two months later, that Ms Thompson decided to get checked. Her doctor sent her for an ultrasound and then further biopsies.
“It was such a shock to get diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, especially since I didn’t feel unwell,” Ms Thompson said.
“Nothing can prepare you for an unexpected cancer diagnosis – the fear, the anger and the worry that follows.
“Then there’s the overwhelming number of specialist appointments and tests to confirm what type of cancer you have, where it is, and how bad it is.”
Ms Thompson said she was grateful that she had her two children before starting breast cancer treatments, which included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, lymph nodes removed and her first mastectomy in April 2025.
She’s now preparing for her second mastectomy and an eight-hour surgery with Mater surgeons Dr Ben Lancashire and Dr James Allan, which will involve the microvascular transfer of tissue from her abdomen and thighs to reconstruct her breasts.
Although Ms Thompson’s surgery is booked for later this month, she said she plans to take part in the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run.
“I definitely won’t be running in it, but I am hoping to walk the 5km with my children and my husband,” Ms Thompson said.
“It’s such an important cause. All the money raised will go towards breast cancer services and equipment at Mater and to fund research that benefits breast cancer patients everywhere.”
Dr Lancashire – who is also taking part in the event – said breast cancer rates in young women are on the rise globally.
“There are a number of factors contributing to this, including the fact that, on average, young women are now experiencing menstruation earlier and having children later, which exposes them to the hormone oestrogen longer,” Dr Lancashire said.
“Menopause is also happening later for many women, and research shows that the longer a woman is exposed to oestrogen, the higher the risk of breast cancer.
“Lifestyle factors like drinking, smoking, obesity and lack of exercise can also increase the risk of breast cancer.
“The trend is of course concerning as younger women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer subtypes that lack targeted treatment options like hormone therapy.”
Queenslanders are being urged to sign up to the Mater Chicks in Pink International Women’s Day Fun Run events in Brisbane, Townsville and Springfield, or to participate in their own 5K Your Way fun runs.
To register, go to womensdayfunrun.com.au.
For more information about breast cancer services at Mater, go to mater.org.au/breastcancer.
