Breast Cancer Care WA

Donate Now

Weekly
$

What can we do for you today?

Breast Cancer Nurse visits a patient

Get Help

Specialist breast care nursing, counselling and practical support is available to all West Australians facing a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Care WA wrist band

Get Involved

There are many ways to make a difference, from volunteering to fundraising and joining our events. We’d love you to join the team!

breast cancer care team with partners

Partner With Us

Partnering with Breast Cancer Care WA can engage your employees, create a closer connection to the community and enhance stakeholder relationships. 

Have a great time for a wonderful cause at our signature events! 

Meet the people who inspire us

Rachel

Rachel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Neuroendocrine Tumour in 2021. She had moved to Perth with her husband and son only six weeks earlier, and when the borders closed they found themselves cut off from their family and friends.

Di

Di has been part of our community at Breast Cancer Care WA since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 7 years ago.

Lea

Lea survived breast cancer with the support of her family, and continues to access BCCWA's services to navigate her survivorship.

Michelle

Michelle's Story
I was living the dream. I was approaching my 60th birthday. Our 3 sons were grown and starting to leave the nest. My husband, Bill, and I were starting to slow down, and we were looking at early retirement.

Natasha

A wife and mother of three boys, Natasha was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in June 2022. She had found what she thought was an ordinary ingrown hair – but when she hadn’t been able to make it budge after a couple of weeks, she went to see her GP.

Jenny

Jenny was one of many women who faced breast cancer during the pandemic. She was just 32 years old when she discovered a small lump in her breast while breastfeeding her son.

Amanda

Amanda had just separated from her husband and was fearful of how she would cope raising 3 children on her own, without a job. Then she was diagnosed with cancer.

Karen

It was Karen’s determination not to lose any function in her arm that motivated her to keep moving during and after her diagnosis and treatment. Karen was active prior to surgery but didn’t place a priority on exercise in and amongst her busy life and work.
Karen Orr Triathlon

Eleonore

Eleonore’s cancer journey was highly unexpected. She was playing sport 3 times a week, riding her bike to work every day, eating healthily. There were no health triggers like fatigue or physical signs like a noticeable lump that she felt.
Eleonare and Maria

Anne

It was the decision to go jogging. It was this decision, that upon reflection, I wish I had made earlier but I have since learned that you can’t change the past, you just have to try your best and move forwards.
Anne McGregor

Fundraising for a cause

Every day in WA, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer. We are here for them, their partners and their families.

Ways-to-Fundraise-icon

Ways to Fundraise

Breast Cancer Care WA only exists due to the generosity of the West Australian community, as we receive no ongoing government funding. 

Fundraising-Examples-Icon

Fundraising Examples

And we’d love for you to get on board! This page shows a variety of different ways to fundraise, and some resources you can use at your own fundraiser! 

Host-Your-Own-Fundraiser-Event-Icon

Host Your Own

Happiness is only real, when shared…. and just like a bra, it can be uplifting!  just remember we are proud to be purple! 

 

What do I do if I find a lump?

In young women, breasts can feel much lumpier around the time of the menstrual cycle. If a lump persists after one menstrual cycle, contact your doctor. In older women, who have gone through the menopause, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

All breasts have areas of lumpiness that fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, however if lumps are irregular, unchanging or slowly enlarging or new you should contact your doctor.

Are most breast lumps found to be cancerous?

Nearly 80% of breast lumps are benign (not cancerous). Lumpy breasts are very common and they can change with different times of the menstrual cycle. Any lump that is new or unusual should be checked by a doctor.

When I’m checking my breasts, am I looking for lumps?

A lump in the breast is only one change that may indicate breast cancer. All women regardless of age are encouraged to be breast aware. Click here to find out how.

The changes you should look for include;

  • A lump or lumpiness
  • An area that feels different to the rest of the breast
  • An area of thickening
  • Changes to the skin such as dimpling, puckering or redness
  • Nipple discharge or bleeding from the nipple
  • Nipple itchiness, scaly skin or ulcers around the nipple
  • New nipple inversion
  • New and persistent pain
  • If you notice any of the above changes please consult your GP or health professional as soon as possible.

Why have a mammogram?

It is important for all women aged 40 and over to have a free screening mammogram every two years. Having a mammogram can save your life.

  • A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast.
  • Mammograms can detect up to 90% of breast cancers.
  • Mammograms can detect a lump as small as a grain of rice.
  • BreastScreen WA offer free screening mammograms to anyone aged 40 and over. Clinics are available in locations around the Perth metropolitan area. For women living in rural and remote areas the BreastScreen WA mobile unit visits regional towns every two years.
  • To make an appointment for a free mammogram call BreastScreen WA on 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au.
  • For more information about breast cancer screening call 9323 6799 or 1800 800 033.

Can men get breast cancer?

As men have breast tissue, men can also develop breast cancer. However, male breast cancer accounts for less than one per cent of all breast cancer diagnosed. Each year approximately 144 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Both men and women have breast tissue – men just have less of it.

There’s no family history of breast cancer – can I still get it?

Every woman has some risk of developing breast cancer. 9 out of 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. However, the more relatives you have with breast cancer, the higher your risk is of developing it.