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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
Breast cancer| is the most common cancer in women. More than 45,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
One in nine women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some time in their life. However, it can usually be cured if it's found early.
Breast cancer almost never occurs in women in their teens or early twenties and it is rare in women under 35. As women get older, their risk of developing breast cancer increases. Eight out of ten breast cancers (80%) occur in women aged 50 or over.
Our section about breast cancer has more information about symptoms|, diagnosis|, treatment| and living with and after breast cancer|. We also have information about breast cancer in men|.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.