A warning Kiwis should be aware of the causes of breast cancer - with rates rising

A study of 185 countries has found one in every-1000 New Zealand females are diagnosed with the disease.

However, deaths from the cancer were on the lower end of the scale, and reducing more than two-percent a year.

Auckland University Senior Research Fellow, Doctor Annette Lasham says some causes are preventable.

She says healthy considerations - including diet - are important to reduce the risk.