Pancreatic cancer in Australia statistics

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

Pancreatic cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C25 (Malignant neoplasm of pancreas).

Estimated number of new pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed in 2023

4,506 = male icon 2,355 males + Female icon PNG 2,151 females

Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2023

2.7%

Estimated number of deaths from pancreatic cancer in 2023

3,669 = male icon 1,905 males + Female icon PNG 1,764 females

Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2023

7.2%

Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2015–2019)

13%

People living with pancreatic cancer at the end of 2018 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2014 to 2018

4,722

New cases

Pancreatic cancer was the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2019. It is estimated that it will remain the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2023.

In 2019, there were 3,751 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,952 males and 1,799 females). In 2023, it is estimated that 4,506 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (2,355 males and 2,151 females). In 2023, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 70 (or 1.4%) risk of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 65 or 1.5% for males and 1 in 76 or 1.3% for females). 

 

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2023

Notes 

In 2019, the age-standardised incidence rate was 16 cases per 100,000 persons (18 for males and 14 for females). In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 17 cases per 100,000 persons (19 for males and 15 for females). The incidence rate for pancreatic cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for pancreatic cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex

Notes 

  • Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2023 web report and supplementary data tables
  • Age standardised rates are standardised to the 2023 Australian Standard Population
  • More information about incidence rates for pancreatic cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

The number of new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed increased from 1,205 (699 males and 506 females) in 1982 to 3,751 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 13 cases per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 9.8 for females) in 1982 to 16 cases per 100,000 in 2019.

Deaths 

In 2021, pancreatic cancer was the fourth most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in 2023.

In 2021, there were 3,431 deaths from pancreatic cancer in Australia (1,783 males and 1,648 females). In 2023, it is estimated that there will be 3,669 deaths (1,905 males and 1,764 females). In 2023, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 86 (or 1.2%) risk of dying from pancreatic cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 80 or 1.2% for males and 1 in 93 or 1.1% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2023

Notes 

In 2021, the age-standardised mortality rate was 14 deaths per 100,000 persons (15 for males and 12 for females). In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 14 deaths per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 12 for females). The mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for pancreatic cancer cancer, 1982 to 2021, by sex

Notes 

  • Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2023 web report and supplementary data tables
  • Age standardised rates are standardised to the 2023 Australian Standard Population
  • More information about mortality rates for pancreatic cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

The number of deaths from pancreatic cancer increased from 1,168 (671 males and 497 females) in 1982 to 3,431 persons in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased from 13 deaths per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 9.7 for females) in 1982 to 14 deaths per 100,000 in 2021. 

Survival 

In 2015–2019, individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer had a 13% chance (12% for males and 13% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1990–1994 and 2015–2019, five-year relative survival for pancreatic cancer increased from 3.7% to 13%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for pancreatic cancer, 1990–1994 to 2015–2019, by sex

Notes 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2018, there were 2,273 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that year, 4,722 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2014 to 2018) and 6,745 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the previous 37 years (from 1982 to 2018).

For more information, see Pancreatic cancer on 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.