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All cancers in Australia

The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

All cancers combined incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C00–C96 (Malignant neoplasms of specific sites) with mortality also incorporating C97, D45 (Polycythaemia), D46 (Myelodysplastic syndromes), and D47.1, D47.3, D47.4 and D47.5 (Myeloproliferative diseases); but excludes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. BCC and SCC, the most common skin cancers, are not notifiable diseases in Australia and are not reported in the Australian Cancer Database. 

Estimated number of cancer cases diagnosed in 2022

162,163 = male icon 88,982 males + female icon 73,181 females

Estimated number of deaths from cancer in 2022

49,996 = male icon 28,022 males + female icon 21,974 females

Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2014–2018)

70%

 

People living with cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2013 to 2017)

469,811                                                                                                                             

 

New cases

In 2018, there were 146,335 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia (80,441 males and 65,889 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 162,163 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (88,982 males and 73,181 females). It is estimated that around 2 in 5 people (or 43%) will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.

estimated cancer incidence all cancers

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 504 cases per 100,000 persons (576 for males and 442 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 507 cases per 100,000 persons (575 for males and 449 for females). The incidence rate for cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

age-standardised-incidence-rates

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for all cancers combined, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

The number of new cases of cancer diagnosed increased from 47,414 (25,396 males and 22,018 females) in 1982 to 146,335 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 383 cases per 100,000 persons (472 for males and 328 for females) in 1982 to 504 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, there were 48,266 deaths from cancer in Australia (27,167 males and 21,099 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 49,996 deaths (28,022 males and 21,974 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 7 (or 15%) risk of dying from cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 6 or 17% for males and 1 in 8 or 13% for females).

estimated cancer mortality all cancers 2022

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes

In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 148 deaths per 100,000 persons (182 for males and 121 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 145 deaths per 100,000 persons (177 for males and 119 for females). The mortality rate for cancer is expected to increase with age.                     

age standardised mortality all cancers

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for all cancers combined, 1982 to 2020, by sex

 

Notes

The number of deaths from cancer increased from 24,915 (14,199 males and 10,716 females) in 1982 to 48,266 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 209 deaths per 100,000 persons (279 for males and 161 for females) in 1982 to 148 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with cancer had a 70% chance (69% for males and 72% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for cancer improved from 52% to 70%.

relative cancer survival all cancers

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for all cancers combined, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes

At the end of 2017, there were 120,313 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer that year, 469,811 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 1,224,080 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.