Know the signs of breast cancer and trust your instincts

On average, 56 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every day in Australia, with 1 in 7 women being diagnosed during their lifetime. Breast cancer also affects men, with 1 in 600 men diagnosed during their lifetime^[1].

While survival rates continue to improve due to advances in education, screening, diagnosis and treatment, early detection remains one of the most important factors in achieving the best possible outcomes. When breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%^[2].

These statistics highlight not only how common breast cancer is, but also the importance of recognising potential signs early. Knowing what is normal for you, understanding when to seek medical advice, and advocating for your health can make a significant difference.

Screening, being breast aware, and early detection

In Australia, women aged 40 years and over are eligible for free screening mammograms, with women aged 50 to 74 years actively encouraged to have a screening every two years. In addition, some eligible women with a high risk of breast cancer are eligible for subsidised breast MRI scans^[3].

Even for those who are undergoing regular mammograms or who are under 40 years of age, regular self-checks are an important way to identify potential concerns at any early stage. While many women are familiar with checking their breasts for lumps, changes in the breast can present in a variety of ways, and lumps are not the only unusual findings that should be checked by a doctor.

Being 'breast aware' means becoming familiar with what is normal for you, so that you can recognise changes as early as possible. Any new or persistent change in the appearance or feel of your breasts should be reviewed by a medical professional. Such changes may include:

• a new lump, thickening or ridge in the breast, armpit or around the collarbone
• changes in breast size or shape, including any breast asymmetry
• dimpling, puckering or indentation of the skin
• redness, swelling, rash or persistent irritation
• changes to the nipple, including inversion, crusting, dimpling, redness, or changes in position or asymmetry
• unusual nipple discharge, particularly if blood-stained
• breast or nipple pain, particularly if affecting only one side

What to do if you notice a change

Breast changes can be caused by conditions other than cancer. However, it is important to have any new or persistent change properly investigated by taking the following steps:

• Make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. Official guidelines recommend that new breast symptoms should be investigated by way of ‘the triple test’, which involves a medical history and clinical examination, breast imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound), and where appropriate, a biopsy or fine needle aspiration^[4]. In some circumstances, such as for women with dense breast tissue, cancer can be more difficult to detect using standard mammography. In these situations, your GP may recommend additional or alternative imaging investigations, such as a 3D mammogram.
• Arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss your results. Do not assume that no news is good news, as human or administrative errors can occur, leading to results being missed or not communicated.
• Seek further advice if you remain concerned. While mammograms and ultrasounds are highly valuable diagnostic tools, these investigations are not perfect and occasionally, significant findings can be missed. If your symptoms persist or you remain concerned despite tests being reported as normal, consider returning to your GP or seeking a second opinion.

Symptoms or concerns should never be ignored or minimised because of your age, sex, absence of family history of cancer, or previous normal test results. If you feel your concerns have not been adequately investigated, it is reasonable and sensible to seek additional testing or obtain a second opinion from a different GP or from a specialist.

Many of our clients who are ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer describe initially feeling dismissed, being reassured despite ongoing symptoms or feeling reluctant to challenge a medical opinion. If something does not feel right, trust your instincts and seek further advice. Advocating for your health is an important part of getting the care you need.

When can a delayed diagnosis raise concerns about medical negligence?

Most breast concerns are investigated and managed appropriately. However, in some situations, opportunities for earlier diagnosis or treatment may be missed.

Medical practitioners are required to provide care, treatment and advice that meets the standard reasonably expected of a competent practitioner in their field. To establish a medical negligence claim, it is generally necessary to show that the care fell below that standard and that this caused harm, such as a delay in treatment, the need for more invasive treatment or a poorer outcome.

Importantly, a delayed diagnosis or poor outcome does not automatically mean negligence occurred. Breast cancer can be difficult to detect or correctly diagnose, poor outcomes can unfortunately occur even with the best available medical treatment, and delays in treatment do not always make a difference to a person’s treatment options or outcome.

However, concerns about possible medical negligence may arise if, for example:

• concerning symptoms were not appropriately investigated
• imaging failed to detect breast cancer despite findings that may have warranted further investigation or follow-up
• test results were misinterpreted or incorrectly reported
• test results were overlooked or not communicated to referring GPs or patients due to an administrative error
• necessary referrals to specialists were not made
• surgical intervention was not performed appropriately
• further investigation was not carried out despite persisting symptoms, even when initial tests were reportedly normal

Our medical negligence team has extensive experience in helping people who have had a breast cancer diagnosis and who have experienced poorer outcomes due to a delay or inappropriate treatment. We understand the challenges that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis and can provide compassionate support and practical advice to help you understand your legal rights and options.

Breast cancer awareness starts with knowing what's normal for you

Breast cancer remains a significant health issue in Australia, but early detection and prompt treatment continue to improve outcomes.

Knowing what is normal for you, seeking medical advice when something does not feel right, and being willing to ask questions or seek a second opinion can all play an important role in protecting your health.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are concerned that opportunities for earlier diagnosis or appropriate treatment may have been missed, legal advice can help you understand your rights, your options and whether further investigation may be appropriate.

Our experienced medical negligence lawyers can assist with a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

_{[1] National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast cancer statistics in Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Australia, accessed October 2026, https://nbcf.org.au/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-stats/}

_{[2] National Cancer Control Indicators, Relative survival by stage at diagnosis (female breast cancer), Cancer Australia, accessed October 2026, https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/relative-survival-stage-diagnosis-female-breast-cancer}

_{[3] Cancer Australia, Breast cancer screening, Cancer Australia, accessed October 2026, https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/breast-cancer-screening}

_{[4] Cancer Australia, Investigation of a new breast symptom: a guide for general practitioners, Cancer Australia, Canberra, accessed October 2026, https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated-files/publications/investigation-new-breast-symptom-guide-general-practitioners/pdf/investigation-of-a-new-breast-symptom-a-guide-for-general-practitioners.pdf}