Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women and remains the most diagnosed cancer in Australia with 57 new cases diagnosed each day, 1000 new cases per year and tragically 2000 deaths annually. Men are not excluded, for every 100 breast cancers one is diagnosed in a male. Genetic links for breast cancer such as the BRCA 1 and 2 genes receive significant attention but account for only 5% of total cases,75% of patients have no family history and additionally 75% of breast cancers are diagnosed in patients 50 years or older. Multiple risk factors including family history, young age of menarche and older age of menopause are frequently cited but less well known is the association with obesity which is responsible for up to 8% of all breast cancers. It is estimated that 1: in 4 cases of all breast cancer may be prevented with attention to known modifiable risk factors. Breastfeeding and earlier age of pregnancy are both protective factors.

Dr Natharnia Young is a leading urogynaecologist servicing South Eastern Melbourne’s suburbs and joins this conversation to discuss urinary incontinence in women, a condition associated with significant personal and social stigmatisation and affecting up to 1:2 women over the age of 70.