Australia’s states and territories have legislation mandating the notification of cancer diagnoses, with national cancer incidence data being available from these sources for the years 1982 to 2020. Projected estimates of annual cancer diagnoses are also available for the years to 2024 in this report. Data were extracted from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Australian Cancer Database 2020.1,2 International data were taken from the latest GLOBOCAN estimates produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and disseminated as Cancer Today on the Global Cancer Observatory.3,4
Key Messages
Cancer incidence in Australia is increasing
From 1982 to 2024, cancer incidence recorded in Australia increased from 47,407 cases to 169,478 cases. Age-standardized rates (to the 2024 Australian population) per 100,000 people increased from 473.7 to 624.2.
The top five most commonly reported cancers in Australia have remained unchanged
In 2024, the top five estimated for Australia in order are prostate cancer, breast cancer, melanoma of the skin, colorectal cancer and lung cancer. These 5 cancers were also the top 5 leading cancers in 1982 but with a different ranking order.
It should be noted that Australia has an extraordinarily high incidence of basal carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and other non-melanoma skin cancers that are not routinely recorded by cancer registries. These are the most common cancers affecting the Australian population.
Cancer incidence rates were consistently higher in males than females
In 2024, age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 recorded in males and in females was estimated to be 728.7 cases and 534.2 cases, respectively. Similarly in 1982 and 2000, these rates were 602.0 and 712.7 in males and 393.3 and 486.5 cases in females.
Cancer incidence rates are increasing in young populations aged 30 to 49 years
In the age range of 30-39 years, recorded age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 people increased from 101.0 in 1982 to 120.5 in 2000 and to an estimated 141.1 in 2024.
In the age range of 40-49 years, recorded age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 people increased from 244.8 in 1982 to 280.1 in 2000 and to an estimated 323.2 in 2024.
Australia was one of the countries having highest rates in the world for breast, colorectal, prostate, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanomas. In contrast, Australia was one of the lowest in cervical cancer incidence.
Charts
About this measure
Cancer incidence data, as presented in this report, refer to the numbers of new cases of cancer diagnosed each year and recorded in cancer registries. They can be presented as absolute numbers or as rates. Rates are often age-standardized to remove the influence of age in comparisons across different populations, as the likelihood of being diagnosed with most types of cancer increases with age. Age-specific rates are also used to compare cancer incidence between different age groups.1
Age-standardized and age-specific data from Australia’s population-based registries are made available each year by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) for individual cancer types and cancer groupings.
Estimated international cancer incidence data are available through the IARC Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) project. These data are age-standardized to the age structure of the world population.3 International comparisons are made using this indicator for 15 economically developed countries across five continents. These countries are Australia, Canada, Chile, France (metropolitan), Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, United States of America (USA) and Uruguay.
Current status
All cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C00–C96, D45, D46, D47.1, and D47.3–D47.5)
By 2024, it is estimated there will be 169,478 recorded cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia (93,504 males and 75,974 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was estimated to be 624.2 per 100,000 in 2024. Males had higher cancer incidence recorded than females (728.7 vs 534.2 per 100,000).
Cancer incidence rates increased with age. The highest rate recorded was for ages 85-89 years at 2,857.7 cases per 100,000 persons (estimated in 2024). In females, the highest rate recorded was for ages 85-89 years at 2,289.2 cases per 100,000 females whereas in males, the highest rate recorded was for ages 90 years and over at 3,716.1 cases per 100,000 males.
Improvements in cancer detection would be expected in general to result in increasing incidence rates for a period of time and potentially younger ages at diagnosis (as the cancer is diagnosed earlier than would otherwise have occurred).1
International comparisons
In 2022, compared with the other selected developed countries, Australia was estimated to have the highest age-standardized incidence rate recorded for all cancers combined (322.4 cases per 100,000), followed by France and The Netherlands (316.6 and 312.4 cases per 100,000, respectively). This age-standardized incidence rate was the second-highest estimated in males (344.4 cases per 100,000) after France (355.1 cases per 100,000) and in females (303.8 cases per 100,000) after the Netherlands (310.6 cases per 100,000).
Bladder cancer (ICD-10 code C67)
Bladder was estimated to be the 11th most commonly diagnosed cancer recorded among all persons in Australia in 2024.5
By 2024, it is estimated there will be 3,319 cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,529 males and 790 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was estimated to be 12.2 in 2024. The incidence in males was about 4 times higher than in females (20.3 vs 5.3 per 100,000, respectively). The incidence rate for bladder cancer increased with older age, peaking at ages 90 years and over (134.7 cases per 100,000). This pattern was the same in both females and males.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized rates of bladder cancer in Australia ranked 10th among the 15 developed countries (7.4 cases per 100,000 vs 17.4 cases in the Netherlands with the highest rates). It had the same rank in females (3.2 cases per 100,000) and the 11th rank in males (12.0 cases per 100,000).
Brain cancer (ICD-10 code C71)/Brain and other Central Nervous System cancers (ICD-10 code C70-72, C75.1-C75.3)
Brain cancer was estimated to be the 17th most commonly diagnosed cancer recorded among all persons in Australia in 2024.5
By 2024, it is estimated that there will be 1,997 cases of brain cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,198 males and 799 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was estimated to be 7.4 in 2024 (9.2 for males and 5.7 for females per 100,000).
The incidence rate for brain cancer generally increases with age, with a peak at ages 85-89 years (26.8 cases per 100,000). This increase was similar in females with a peak at ages 85-89 years (22.7 cases per 100,000). In males, the rate increased to the peak at 37.1 cases per 100,000 in ages 90+ years.
By 2024, it is estimated there will be 2,138 cases of brain cancer and other Central Nervous System cancers diagnosed in Australia (1,280 males and 858 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was estimated to be 7.9 in 2024 (9.8 for males and 6.1 for females) per 100,000.
International comparisons
International data are available for brain and central nervous system cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C70–72). In 2022, the estimated age-standardized rates for brain and central nervous system cancers in Australia ranked the fourth-highest for incidence at 5.6 cases per 100,000 after France (6.4 cases per 100,000), Ireland and Sweden (both at 6.1 cases per 100,000). Australian females ranked equal 5th among comparison countries with Canada and the United Kingdom at 4.6 cases per 100,000 after Sweden, Ireland, France, and the United States. Males had the same incidence as for Sweden (3rd rank) at 6.7 cases per 100,000 after France (7.9 cases) and Ireland (7.0 cases) among comparison countries.
See further details in reference 6.6
Breast cancer (in females) (ICD-10 code C50)
In 2024, breast cancer was projected to be the leading cancer reported in females and the 2nd most commonly reported cancer in Australia among all persons.5
There were 20,973 new cases of breast cancer projected in females with an age-standardized incidence rate of 148.9 cases per 100,000 females. Breast cancer accounts for 27.6% of the estimated all cancers diagnoses reported for all cancer in females in 2024.1,2 The incidence rate for breast cancer increases with age, peaking at age 70-74 years (462.0 cases per 100,000 females), followed by ages 65-69 years (408.0 cases per 100,000 females).
International comparisons
In 2022, the age-standardized rate of breast cancer in Australian females (101.5 cases per 100,000) (using the WHO population as the reference) was the third-highest alongside the rate for the Netherlands (101.6 cases per 100,000) and France (105.4 cases per 100,000).
Cervical cancer (ICD-10 code C53)
Cervical cancer was estimated to be the 13th most commonly reported cancer among females in Australia in 2024,5 with 1,030 new cases diagnosed in Australia. The age-standardized incidence rate was 7.4 cases per 100,000 females.
Cervical cancer incidence was higher among women in their 30s and 40s than for other ages, with the highest incidence rates occurring at ages 35-39 (18.6 cases per 100,000) and 40-44 years (18.5 cases per 100,000).1,2
International comparisons
In 2022, compared with the 15 comparison countries, the estimated age-standardized rate for cervical cancer in Australia was the 2nd lowest rate encountered (5.3 cases per 100,000), surpassing by New Zealand (4.9 cases per 100,000). Uruguay had the highest incidence rate of 15.9 cases per 100,000.
Colorectal cancer (ICD10 codes C18–C20, C26.0)
Colorectal cancer was estimated to be the fourth most commonly reported cancer in Australia in 20245 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 57.2 cases per 100,000 persons (64.0 for males and 51.0 for females per 100,000). Colorectal cancer was ranked the 4th most commonly reported cancer in females and the 3rd most commonly reported in males.5 There were an estimated 15,542 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Australia in 2024 (8,205 males and 7,337 females).1,3
The incidence rate for colorectal cancer increases with age except for a marginal decrease between ages 50-54 and 55-59 years (from 62.4 to 58.8 per 100,000), and peaking at age 85-89 years (371.9 persons per 100,000 estimated for 2024). This pattern was the same in females and males.
Early-onset colorectal cancer has been observed in both sexes but more females under the age of 50 years were estimated to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than males (age-specific incidence rate per 100,000 of 12.1 vs 11.0 cases in males, with an estimated 1,062 cases in females and 983 cases in males in 2024).1,7
International comparisons
In 2022, among the 15 selected comparison countries, Australia was ranked as having the 4th highest age-standardized rates for colorectal and anal cancer combined (C18-21) (34.6 cases per 100,000) after the Netherlands, New Zealand and Japan. Australian females (31.7 cases per 100,000) were ranked third following the Netherlands and New Zealand, whereas Australian males were ranked 6th (37.8 per 100,000).2
More early-onset colorectal cancer (colorectal cancer among younger adults younger than 50 years at diagnosis) were reported recently in many high-income countries as the United States, Canada, and Australia.4
See further details in reference 7.7
Colon cancer (ICD-10 code C18)
In 2024, there were an estimated 10,987 new cases of colon cancer reported in Australia (5,448 males and 5,539 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was 40.5 cases per 100,000 persons (42.7 for males and 38.4 for females per 100,000).
Colon cancer rates increased with age and were significantly higher from people aged 60+ years, peaking at ages 85-89 years (302.6 cases per 100,000 persons). The pattern was the same in males and females at 304.4 and 301.2 cases per 100,000, respectively. More than 85% of the colorectal cancer cases diagnosed in people aged under 30 years occurred in the colon.1,7
No international comparison was available for this cancer.
Rectal cancer including rectosigmoid junction (ICD-10 codes C19–C20)
In 2024, there were an estimated 4,555 new cases of rectal cancer (including those in the rectosigmoid junction) estimated to be reported in Australia (2,757 males and 1,798 females). This corresponded with an age-standardized incidence rate of 16.8 cases per 100,000 persons. The incidence rate in males was 1.7 times higher than in females (21.4 vs 12.6 per 100,000).
The incidence rate generally increased with age, except for a marginal decrease between ages 50-54 and 55-59 years, and peaking in ages 90+ years at 75.6 cases per 100,000. This pattern was broadly similar in males and females with the highest rates projected to be 98.5 cases and 62.9 cases per 100,000, respectively.
No international comparison was available for this cancer.
Head and neck cancer, including lip (ICD codes C00-C14, C30–C32)
In 2024, there were an estimated 5,531 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) reported in Australia (4,046 males and 1,485 females). The age-standardized incidence rate was 20.4 cases per 100,000 persons. The incidence rate in males was triple that in females (31.2 vs 10.5 per 100,000).
The incidence rate of head and neck cancer (including lip) increased with age since ages 20-24 years, with the highest at ages 80-84 years at 67.2 cases per 100,000, which then decreased to 57.3 in ages 90 years and over. This pattern was similar in females with a peak of 41.9 cases per 100,000 in ages 80-84 and 85-89 years. The highest rate was in males aged 70-74 years at 100.5 cases per 100,000.
No international comparison was available for this cancer.
Liver cancer (ICD-10 code C22)
Liver cancer was estimated to be the 12th most common cancer reported in Australia in 2024,5 with 3,208 new cases reported in Australia (2,336 males and 872 females). Liver cancer is estimated to the 9th most common cancer in males and the 17th most common in females in 2024.5
In 2024, the estimated age-standardized incidence rate will be 11.8 cases per 100,000 persons. The projected rate in males will be triple that in females (18.2 vs 6.1 per 100,000).
This incidence rate was significantly higher in people aged 50+ years, with a peak at ages 85-89 years of 62.4 cases per 100,000 persons. This pattern was the same in both males and females, with corresponding rates for ages 85-89 years of 90.0 cases and 41.9 cases per 100,000 respectively.
International comparisons
In 2022, among the 15 comparison countries, the estimated age-standardized rate for liver cancer for Australia (7.2 cases per 100,000) was the 5th highest after Korea, Singapore, Japan and France. Australian males were ranked the 5th highest (11.4 cases per 100,000) whereas in females, it was in a lower range (9th) at 3.2 cases per 100,000.
Lung cancer (ICD-10 codes C33–C34)
Lung cancer was estimated to be the fifth most commonly reported cancer in Australia in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 of 55.7 cases in total (60.7 for males and 51.7 for females). Lung cancer was estimated to be ranked 3rd highest in incidence for females and 4th highest in males in 2024.5
In 2024, there were an estimated 15,122 new cases in Australia (7,718 males and 7,404 females). The incidence rate for lung cancer increased significantly from the age of 50 years, peaking at 85-89 years (306.4 cases per 100,000). The highest rates applied to males aged 85-89 years (404.1 cases per 100,000) and to females aged 75-79 years (284.8 cases per 100,000).
International comparisons
In 2022, among the 15 comparison countries, the estimated age-standardized rate for lung cancer in Australia (24.1 cases per 100,000 persons) was ranked among the lowest 4 countries, along with Sweden and Chile. This pattern was similar in males at 27.1 cases per 100,000, whereas in females, lung cancer was in the lower middle range with 21.5 cases per 100,000.
Melanoma of the skin (ICD-10 code C43)
Melanoma of the skin was estimated to be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer reported in Australia in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence of 69.8 cases per 100,000. There were an estimated 18,964 new cases in Australia (11,034 males and 7,930 females). Melanoma of the skin was estimated to rank 2nd among the most commonly reported cancers in males and females in 2024.5 The age-standardized incidence of melanoma of skin in males was 1.5 times higher than in females. (85.7 vs 56.0 per 100,000, respectively).
The incidence rate was significantly higher for ages from 30 years, peaking at 85-89 years (295.9 cases per 100,000). This pattern was similar in males (416.5 cases per 100,000) and females (206.3 cases per 100,000).
International comparisons
In 2022, Australia was estimated to have the highest rate among the 15 selected developed countries (37.0 cases per 100,000), followed by New Zealand (29.8 cases per 100,000). The pattern was similar in males and females with estimated age-standardized rates of 45.9 cases and 29.1 cases per 100,000, respectively.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–C86)
In 2024, there were an estimated 6,942 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma reported in Australia (3,972 males and 2,970 females). This cancer was estimated to be the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer among all persons in Australia in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 of 25.6 cases (31.0 for males and 20.7 for females per 100,000). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was estimated to be the 5th most commonly reported cancer in males and the 7th most commonly reported in females in 2024.5
Estimated incidence rates increased with age, peaking at ages 85-9 years (144.8 cases per 100,000). This pattern was similar in females and males at 116.6 and 182.6 cases per 100,000, respectively.
International comparisons
International data are available for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–86 and C88). In 2022, the age-standardized incidence rate was ranked 2nd highest in Australia although essentially the same as in the United States among the 15 comparison countries (12.4 cases and 12.5 cases per 100,000, respectively). The pattern was similar in males and females (ranked 3rd) with estimated age-standardized rates of 14.7 cases and 10.2 cases per 100,000, respectively.
Oesophageal cancer (ICD-10 code C15)
Oesophageal cancer was estimated to be the 20th most commonly recorded cancer in Australia in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 6.6 cases per 100,000 persons.
In 2024, there were 1,785 estimated new cases in Australia (1,323 males and 462 females). This cancer was estimated to be the 14th most commonly reported cancer in males in 2024.5 The age-standardized incidence in males was more than triple that in females (10.3 vs 3.2 per 100,000).
The incidence increased with age and was significantly higher for ages of 50+ years than for younger people. Incidence peaked in the age range of 85-89 years (37.0 cases per 100,000). The pattern by age was similar in females with the highest rate of 24.1 cases per 100,000 occurring at ages 85-89 years. The highest rate was estimated in men aged 80-84 years at 58.9 cases per 100,000 in 2024.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized rates for oesophageal cancer in Australian males and females were in the lower middle range (both ranked 9th) among the 15 comparison countries, with rates of 5.1 for males and 1.5 for females per 100,000, respectively.
Ovarian cancer (ICD-10 code C56)/Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube (ICD-10 code C56 (all histology types) and C57.0, C57.8 (histology types 8441, 8460, 8461)
Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube were estimated to be the nineth most commonly reported cancers in Australian females in 20245 with an age-standardized incidence at 12.7 cases per 100,000 and 1,805 new cases projected.
Projected data for ovarian cancer as such are not available for 2024.1,2 In 2020, the age-standardized incidence of ovarian cancer was 10.4 cases per 100,000 with 1,355 new cases reported.
For ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, the rate increases with age, being substantially higher from age 40 years than for younger women, and peaking at ages 80-84 years with an estimated 54.1 cases per 100,000 in 2024.
For ovarian cancer as such, the rate was significantly higher from age 40 years than for younger women, peaking at ages 85-89 years with 49.4 cases per 100,000 in 2020.
The ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube group was believed to provide a useful representation of ovarian cancer as it was historically understood.1,8
International comparisons
International data are available for ovarian cancer (ICD-10 code C56). In 2022, the estimated age-standardized incidence rate in Australian females was the fifth lowest (7.8 females per 100,000) among the 15 comparison countries. The highest rate was in Singapore at 10.3 cases per 100,000.
See further details in reference 8.8
Pancreatic cancer (ICD-10 code C25)
Pancreatic cancer was estimated to be the 8th most commonly diagnosed cancer reported in Australia in 20245 with an age-standardized incidence of 17.1 cases per 100,000 persons (19.0 for males and 15.3 for females per 100,000). In 2024, there were an estimated 4,641 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,414 males and 2,227 females). Pancreatic cancer was estimated to be ranked the 8th most common cancer reported in both males and females in 2024.5
Pancreatic cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older ages, peaking at 131.5 cases per 100,000 persons in the age range of 90+ years. This pattern was the same in females at 131.4 cases per 100,000 in ages 90+ years and highest at ages 85-89 years in males (132.8 cases per 100,000). The median age at diagnosis was 73.0 years of age in 2020.1,9
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized incidence rate for pancreatic cancer in Australia was the fifth- lower among the 15 comparison countries (7.0 cases per 100,000 persons) while the highest rate was for Uruguay (11.4 cases per 100,000 persons). Australian males were ranked the 3rd lowest (7.2 cases per 100,000), with females ranked the sixth-lowest in the range at 6.7 cases per 100,000.
See further information in reference 9.9
Prostate cancer (ICD-10 code C61)
Prostate cancer was estimated to be the most common cancer reported in Australia in 2024.5 It was also the most common cancer reported in males with an estimated age-standardized incidence of 204.4 cases per 100,000. In 2024, there were an estimated 26,368 new cases reported in Australia.
The incidence rate for prostate cancer is estimated to increase with age, being significantly higher in ages of 40+ years than in younger males, and peaking at ages 75–79 years (936.4 cases per 100,000 males).
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized rate for prostate cancer in Australian males (77.2 cases per 100,000) was the 5th highest among the comparison countries after Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand and France.
See further information in reference 10.10
Unknown primary site (ICD-10 code C77-C80)
Cancer of unknown primary site was estimated to be the 14th most common cancer reported in Australia in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 9.7 cases per 100,000 persons (11.7 for males and 7.9 for females per 100,000). Unknown primary site cancer was estimated to be ranked the 13th most commonly cancer reported in males and the 11th most commonly reported in females in 2024.5
In 2024, there were an estimated 2,630 new cases diagnosed in Australia (1,442 males and 1,188 females).
The incidence rate was estimated to increase with age, peaking at ages 90+ years with 191.1 cases per 100,000 persons in 2024. This age pattern was similar in males and females with peaks in females aged 90+ years of 176.4 per 100,000 and in males of this age at 217.4 cases per 100,000.
International comparisons
Comparable international data was not available for this cancer.
Uterine cancer (ICD-10 codes C54–C55)
Uterine cancer was estimated to be the fifth most commonly reported cancer in Australian females in 2024,5 with an age-standardized incidence of 24.3 cases per 100,000, which corresponds with a total of 3,422 new cases.
The incidence rate for uterine cancer in 2024 is expected to increase with age, peaking at ages 75–79 years (82.9 cases per 100,000). This proportion increases substantially from ages 30-34 years.
International comparisons
International data are available for uterine cancer for the ICD-10 code of C54. In 2022, the age-standardized rate for uterine cancer in Australian females was in the middle of the range (7th) among the 15 comparison countries with14.6 cases per 100,000.
Trends
All cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C00–C96, D45, D46, D47.1, D47.3–D47.5)
The age–standardized incidence rate of all reported cancers per 100,000 increased from 473.7 cases (602.0 for males and 393.3 for females) in 1982 to 595.8 cases in 2020 and to a projected 624.2 in 2024 (728.7 for males and 534.2 for females). Around 86% of the estimated increase of cancer incidence between 2000 and 2024 was attributable to population increase and ageing of the population alone.1
The number of cancers reported annually increased from 47,407 in 1982 to an estimated 169,478 in 2024 (respectively from 25,388 to 81,871 and 93,504 among males and from 22,019 to 65,590 and 75,974 among females).
From 1982 to 2024, increases in incidence rates generally applied in all age groups, with the largest occurring at ages 15-19 years from 20.6 to 31.1 cases per 100,000 persons, followed by ages 30-34 years and 35-39 years from 85.1 and 119.3 to 117.9 and 164.7 cases per 100,000 persons respectively. The trends from ages 50-59 years and over remained quite stable or only marginally increased since 2009-2013.
Bladder cancer (ICD-10 code C67)
Between 1982 and 2024, the age-standardized incidence rate is estimated to have approximately halved from 23.2 cases per 100,000 persons (40.6 for males and 11.1 for females per 100,000) to 12.2 cases per 100,000 persons (20.3 among males and 5.3 among females per 100,000, respectively). This decline was substantial from 1982 to 2003 (from 23.2 to 13.7 per 100,000 persons) and marginally decreased since then to 2024.
The number of annual bladder cancer diagnoses increased from 2,146 in 1982 to an estimated 3,319 in 2024 (from 1,569 to 2,529 among males and from 577 to 790 among females).
From 1982 to 2022, age-specific incidence rates decreased in all age groups but increased in people aged 85-89 years. Between 1982 and 2024, the decline was highest for ages 35-39 years from 2.1 to an estimated 0.2 cases per 100,000 persons, followed by ages 25-29 years (from 0.6 to 0.1 cases per 100,000 persons) and ages 45-49 years (from 8.4 to 2.0 cases per 100,000 persons). The smallest decrease was in ages 90 years and over from 141.6 to 134.7 per 100,000 persons.
Brain cancer (ICD-10 code C71)
The age-standardized incidence increased marginally from 7.0 cases per 100,000 persons (8.3 for males and 5.8 for females per 100,000) in 1982 to an estimated 7.4 (9.2 for males and 5.7 for females per 100,000) in 2024. The number of annual brain cancer diagnoses increased from 853 in 1982 to an estimated 1,997 in 2024 (from 490 to 1,198 among males and from 363 to 799 among females).
In this period, age specific incidence rates have more than tripled in the ages 80 years and over from 7.5 cases to 25.7 cases per 100,000 persons with most of the change happening before 1996, while a decrease was observed in the ages 40-59 years from 9.1 cases to 6.8 cases per 100,000. The largest increase was in ages 80-84 years from 6.3 to 25.9 per 100,000 persons while the largest decrease was in ages 40-44 years from 6.5 to 4.3 per 100,000. In other groups, these rates have generally remained stable or changed only marginally.
The adjusted time series may provide a more comparable time series from which brain cancer trends can be better understood. Actual age-standardized incidence rates remained quite stable over time, as did the adjusted rates. The impact of adjusting incidence rates for possible under-diagnosis or over-diagnosis on how time series are interpreted is relatively limited. Its main impact for incidence may be to alter the interpretation that brain cancer age-standardized incidence rates were historically lower and that the occasional lower rates occurring in some more recent years have occurred in the past.6 Increasing rates for the elderly may reflect the increased availability of more sophisticated, non-invasive diagnostic technology and changes in attitudes towards investigation and care for the elderly.6
See further details in reference 6.6
Breast cancer in females (ICD-10 code C50)
The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 females increased steadily from 93.3 cases in 1982 to an estimated 148.9 in 2024. This trend was possibly due to two-yearly increases in incidence in women aged 50-74 years since launch of the BreastScreen program in 1991 and the expansion of the program to women aged 70-74 years in 2013 (from 223.8 in 1990 to 295 cases in 1994, and from 306.9 in 2012 to 332.5 cases in 2014).1 The number of annual breast cancer diagnoses in females increased from 5,316 in 1982 to an estimated 20,973 cases in 2024.
Age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 females increased for all groups with the largest increases occurring in ages 70-74 years (from 223.9 in 1982 to an estimated 462.0 cases in 2024) with an upward trend between 2012-2014 reflecting extension of breast screening to more actively include women aged 70-74 years.
Cervical cancer (ICD-10 code C53)
The age-standardized incidence rate halved from 15.5 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to an estimated 7.4 per 100,000 in 2024, mostly occurring from 1982 to the lowest incidence in 2002 at 7.4 cases and then being essentially stable since then. The number of annual cervical cancer diagnoses increased from 967 in 1982 to 1,143 in 1994, then decreased to 697 in 2002, and with an increase to an estimated 1030 in 2024.
The decrease in incidence is mainly attributed to success of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) which introduced an organized approach in 1991, and the subsequent introduction of Australia’s National HPV Vaccination Program. Between 1982 and 2024, the most pronounced decreases were in ages 90 years and over and 25-29 years from 33.2 and 11.0 to 2.9 and 0.7 cases per 100,000 females respectively.
From 2000 to 2024, age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 females increased among ages 30-39 years and 40-49 years from 11.0 and 11.2 to an estimated 15.8 and 16.9 cases per 100,000 females, respectively.
Colorectal cancer (ICD10 codes C18–C20)
The age-standardized incidence per 100,000 increased from 74.0 cases in 1982 to a peak of 85.7 in 2001 and then declined markedly between 2007 and 2020 (from 83.7 to 58.9) and then to an estimated 57.2 in 2024. Since 2000, incidence rates have decreased more than for any other cancer.1,7 A similar trend was observed in males and females although with more increases in males than in females. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 among males increased from 85.4 in 1982 to 104.2 in 2000 and then decreased to an estimated 64.0 per 100,000 in 2024. Among females, the rate per 100,000 also increased, from 65.9 in 1982 to 71.5 in 2001 and then decreased to an estimated 51.0 in 2024.
The most significant decreases of colorectal cancer incidence rates this century are attributed to the introduction of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), which was initiated in Australia in 2006. Colorectal cancer age-standardized incidence rates have been steadily decreasing since 2007.1,7
The number of annual colorectal cancer diagnoses increased from 6,991 in 1982 to an estimated 15,542 in 2024 (from 3,527 to 8,205 among males and from 3,464 to 7,337 among females). From 2010, the number of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed each year has generally been around 15,000 cases.1,7
Between 2000 and 2024, while age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 persons declined among ages 50 years and over (from 212.6 in 2000 to an estimated 142.3 cases), the rates increased in ages from 49 years and under (from 7.0 in 2000 to an estimated 11.6 cases). The incidence rates increased in ages 20-29 years and ages 30-39 years from 2.2 and 6.3 to 5.8 and 17.2 cases per 100,000 people, respectively. Incidence rates also increased in ages 40–44 years, from 17.1 cases in 2000 to an estimated 25.6 per 100,000 in 2024.
In 2024, around 13% of colorectal cancer cases were estimated to be diagnosed in the population under 50 years of age, an increase from 8% in 2000.1,7 Part of the increasing rates for the younger population is attributable to neuroendocrine neoplasms although increases also occurred for adenocarcinomas at ages 20–39 years.1 The increase for neuroendocrine neoplasms may be due to real increases in incidence together with advances in imaging technologies, increases in use of endoscopy and colonoscopy, increased awareness in clinical practice, and changes in the 2010 World Health Organization classification for neuroendocrine tumours.1,7
See further details in reference 7.7
Colon cancer (ICD-10 code C18)
The age-standardized incidence of colon cancer per 100,000 increased from 48.6 cases in 1982 to 56.9 in 2001 but then decreased to estimated 40.5 in 2024. This trend was largely due to changes in the age-standardized incidence rate among males, which increased per 100,000 from 52.4 in 1982 to 65.3 in 2000 and then decreased to an estimated 42.7 in 2024. Among females, this rate marginally increased from 46.0 cases in 1982 to a peak of 50.8 in 2001 and then decreased to an estimated 38.4 per 100,000 in 2024.
The number of annual colon cancer diagnoses increased from 4,561 in 1982 to an estimated 10,987 in 2024 (from 2,143 to 5,448 among males and from 2,418 to 5,539 among females).
The age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 declined among ages 50 years and over (from the peak at 142.1 in 2001 to an estimated 101.6 in 2024) but increased in younger ages under 50 years (from the lowest 3.7 in 2003 to an estimated 7.7 in 2024). Correspondingly, since 2003, the number of colon cancer cases diagnosed in people aged under 50 years more than doubled from 513 to an estimated 1,352 cases in 2024. Most of the increases in colorectal cancer in the young are due to colon cancer.1,7
In people aged 40-49 years, the rates decreased from 19.5 in 1982 to a low of 11.7 in 2003 before increasing to an estimated 18.2 in 2024. While the declines started in the late 1900s and early 2000s in ages 50-59 and 60-69 years, the decreases began later in older age groups from 2011-2015 (note: the rate per 100,000 decreased from 240.6 in 2011 to an estimated 147.2 in 2024 in ages 70-79 years.
Rectal cancer including cancers of the rectosigmoid junction (ICD-10 codes C19–C20)
The trend in age-standardized incidence for rectal cancer was similar to that for colorectal and colon cancer, increasing per 100,000 from 25.4 cases in 1982 to a peak of 28.7 in 2001 and 28.4 in 2007 before decreasing to an estimated 16.8 in 2024. A similar change was observed in both males and females.
The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 among males increased from 33.0 in 1982 to 38.9 in 2000 and then decreased to an estimated 21.4 in 2024. Similarly, the rate per 100,000 among females increased from 19.9 in 1982 to 20.7 in 2001 to an estimated 12.6 in 2024. The number of annual rectal cancer diagnoses increased from 2,430 in 1982 to an estimated 4,555 in 2024 (2,757 among males, 1,798 among females).
Age-specific incidence rates have generally declined in ages 50 years and older but increased in younger age groups, with the most pronounced increases occurring in ages 25-29 years and 30-34 years from 0.2 and 1.3 to 1.3 and 5.3 cases per 100,000 persons, respectively.
Head and neck cancer (including lip; ICD codes C00-C14, C30–C32)
The number of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnoses increased from 2,473 in 1982 to an estimated 5,531 in 2024 (from 1,941 to 4,046 among males and from 532 to 1,485 among females). The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 persons decreased marginally from 23.1 cases in 1982 to an estimated 20.4 in 2024 after a peak in 1992 of 26.7 cases. This was mainly due to a change among males, with a change in age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 from 39.1 in 1982 to a peak in 1992 at 43.3 and then decreasing to an estimated 31.2 in 2024. Among females, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased marginally from 9.7 in 1982 to an estimated 10.5 in 2024 with the peaks in 1992 and 1997 at 12.5 and 12.6 cases per 100,000, respectively.
Between 1982 and 2024, age-specific incidence rates have generally decreased in all age groups from 20 years but among ages 80-89 years, they increased from 54.2 to 64.9 cases per 100,000 persons.
Liver cancer (ICD-10 code C22)
The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased significantly from 2.2 cases (3.6 for males and 1.1 for females) in 1982 to 11.8 in 2024 (18.2 for males and 6.1 for females). The number of liver cancer diagnoses increased steadily from 229 in 1982 to an estimated 3,208 in 2024 (from 168 to 2336 among males and from 61 to 872 among females).
Age-specific incidence rates have generally increased over time, especially in groups aged 60 years and over but appeared to decrease from 2015-2019 in ages younger than 60 years from 17.8 (in 2015) and 3.4 (in 2017) and 0.9 (in 2014) to an estimated 14.1 and 2.4 and 0.5 in 2024 in ages 50-59, 40-49 and 30-39 years, respectively.
Lung cancer (ICD-10 codes C33–C34)
The age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 decreased marginally from 59.7 in 1982 to an estimated 55.7 in 2024. Among males, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 decreased continuously from 109.5 in 1982 to an estimated 60.7 in 2024, but among females, the rate more than doubled from 22.7 in 1982 to an estimated 51.7 cases per 100,000 females in 2024.
The number of annual lung cancer diagnoses increased from 5,947 in 1982 to 15,125 in 2024 (from 4,687 to about 7,718 among males and from 1,260 to about 7,407 among females).
Between 1982 and 2024, age-specific rates generally decreased in all age groups but increased in ages 75 years and over and moved upwards inconsistently in ages 25-29 to 30-34 years and 15-19 years. Over this same period, while the rates increased in all age groups in females, they decreased in males for age groups ranging from 40-49 to 80-89 years and increased in other ages.
Melanoma of the skin (ICD-10 code C43)
The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased steadily from 29.5 cases in 1982 to an estimated 69.8 in 2024. These rates per 100,000 increased from 31.7 in 1982 to an estimated 85.7 in 2024 among males and from 28.3 to about 56.0 among females.
The number of annual melanoma diagnoses increased from 3,540 in 1982 to 18,964 in 2024 (from 1,738 to 11,034 among males and from 1,802 to 7,930 among females).
Incidence rates of melanoma of the skin have been increasing since 1982 in people aged 40 years and over, despite a decrease in those recorded between 2019-2020 (likely reflecting COVID-19 disruptions). The increase was greater in ages 80-89 years (from 57.2 to 280.7 cases per 100,000) and in ages 90 years and over (from 59.8 to 244,7 cases per 100,000) than in ages 40-49 years (from 36.6 to 52.2 cases per 100,000). Meanwhile, in people aged 20-29 years, the rate per 100,000 persons decreased from 13.7 in 1982 and from 16.8 cases to 7.6 cases in 1999-2024. Age-specific rates per 100,000 in ages 30-39 years decreased from a peak at 35.0 in 1987 to an estimated 23.6 cases in 2024.
These trends can be explained by the population aged under 40 years being born after or around implementation of the ‘Slip Slop Slap’ campaign promotion of skin cancer awareness where coverage was greater at these ages than in the older populations. Notably, the ‘Slip Slop Slap’ was a large skin cancer awareness and prevention campaign operating from the early 1980s.1
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–C86)
The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased from 13.8 cases (15.8 for males and 12.3 for females) in 1982 to an estimated 25.6 in 2024 (31.0 for males and 20.7 for females). The number of annual non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnoses increased from 1,422 in 1982 to an estimated 6,942 in 2024 (from 736 to 3,972 among males and from 686 to 2,970 among females).1,3
Age-specific incidence rates have increased since 1982, most notably in the 50+ year age ranges. Substantial increases occurred in ages 80-89 years from 50.4 to an estimated 144.5 cases per 100,000 persons. In ages 40-49 years, there was an increase from 7.4 in 1982 to 12.7 per 100,000 in 2002, then with a marginal decrease to an estimated 10.0 per 100,000 in 2024.1,3
Oesophageal cancer (ICD-10 code C15)
The number of oesophageal cancer diagnoses increased from 537 in 1982 to an estimated 1,785 in 2024 (from 317 to 1,323 among males and from 220 to 462 among females).
The age-standardized incidence per 100,000 increased from 5.7 cases to a peak at 7.9 in 1988 then decreased to an estimated 6.6 in 2024. This trend was mainly due to the increase among males from 7.4 per 100,000 in 1982 to 10.3 per 100,000 in 2024, whereas among females, the age-standardized rate per 100,000 decreased from a peak of 5.8 in 1988 (from 4.3 in 1982) to an estimated 3.2 in 2024.
Age-specific incidence rates increased between 1982 and 2024 in ages 60 years and over with the most pronounced increases occurring in ages 80-89 years from 28.6 cases to an estimated 36.8 cases per 100,000 people. In females, these rates decreased in all age groups except in ages 30-39 and 40-49 years, where were only marginally changed between 1982 and 2024.
Ovarian cancer (ICD-10 code C56)/Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube (ICD-10 code C56 (all histology types) and C57.0, C57.8 (histology codes of 8441, 8460, 8461)
For ovarian cancer, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased marginally from 1982 from 14.4 cases to peaks of 15.6 cases between 1988-1989, followed by decreases from 14.3 in 2002 to 10.4 cases per 100,000 in 2020. The number of ovarian cancer diagnoses increased from 838 in 1982 to an estimated 1,355 in 2020.
For ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 decreased only marginally from 1982 from 14.4 cases to an estimated 12.7 cases in 2024, after a peak at 15.6 in 1989.
In the period 1982 to 2024, age-specific incidence rates have been inconsistent across age groups. While the trends decreased in ages younger than 70 years, it increased in older ages. The most pronounced decrease was in ages 50-59 years from 31.5 to 17.8 cases per 100,000, with a stable decline from 2011.
Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube were monitored rather than ovarian cancer specifically since the time series appeared to better reflect ovarian cancer as it is more traditionally understood while ovarian cancer trends were complicated by the changed understanding of where many serous carcinomas originated. Projections have been made for ‘ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube’ but not for ovarian cancer. This is because projections are based on the premise that trends occurring over the most recent 10 years are a reasonable basis from which to project future cancer rates. There was too much uncertainty about ovarian cancer incidence rate trends to provide a reasonable basis for projections.8
See more details in reference 8.8
Pancreatic cancer (ICD-10 code C25)
Pancreatic cancer changed from a less common to common cancer, along with kidney cancer and bladder cancer.1 The number of annual pancreatic cancer diagnoses increased steadily from 1,205 in 1982 to about 4,641 in 2024 (from 699 to 2,414 among males and from 506 to 2,227 among females).
Between 1982 and 2002, the age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 were stable, ranging between 12.5 and 13.4 cases, but subsequently increased from 12.6 in 2002 to an estimated 17.1 in 2024. This increase in incidence is attributable in part to general population growth, an ageing population and pancreatic cancer becoming more commonly diagnosed through clinical advances. An increase in the prevalence of risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer (smoking, overweight/obesity, older age, family history, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis and stomach infections) may also lead to increases in pancreatic cancer incidence.1,9
Among males, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased inconsistently and marginally from 17.2 in 1982 to an estimated 19.0 in 2024. Among females, the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased from 9.8 in 1982 to an estimated 15.3 in 2024.
Older populations experience higher rates of pancreatic cancer. The combination of the size of older populations increasing at greater rates and pancreatic cancer being more common at older ages contributes to the number of cases diagnosed increasing at greater rates than general population growth.1 The median age at diagnosis had been increasing from 1982. These increases slowed from the late 1990’s and began to decrease from 2008 (the median age was 69.6 years in 1982, increasing to a peak of 73.9 years in 2008 and 72.8 years in 2016).1,9
See further information in reference 9.9
Prostate cancer (ICD-10 code C61)
The number of annual new prostate cancer diagnoses increased from 3,604 in 1982 to an estimated 26,368 cases in 2024. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 males increased from 109.2 cases in 1982, peaking in 1994 at 249.7, and again in 2009 at 257.0, then decreasing to 186.7 in 2016 and with another increase to an estimated 204.4 cases per 100,000 in 2024.
Since 2000, prostate cancer incidence rates have been more inconsistent than for any other cancer.1,10 Increasing prostate cancer incidence rates observed in the early 2000s may, to some extent, be a consequence of bringing forward the diagnosis of some prostate cancer cases as well as diagnosing some prostate cancers that may not otherwise have been diagnosed (as symptoms may not have become apparent). The reduction in rates following the peak in 2009 may be at least partly due to rates re-adjusting after the initial spike. The movements were sharp when compared to other cancers and greater than the total incidence of most types of cancer.1,10
It is estimated that between 2022 and 2032 when the male Australian population will increase by around 13%, the prostate cancer case numbers are projected to increase by around 21%. The reason for the greater increase is because population growth is not consistent across different ages and prostate cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older populations where growth is projected to be greatest.1,10
Over the same period, the age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 have steadily increased for ages 40–59 and 50-59 years from 1.7 and 29.4 in 1982 to peaks of 39.3 and 296.1 respectively in 2009 and then decreasing to an estimated 23.6 and 203.5 respectively in 2024. Males aged 70-79 years and over had a substantially higher peak in 1994 with a decrease to 2024. For ages 60-79 years, the rate per 100,000 had two peaks in 1994 and 2009 at 638.6 and 845.9 cases per 100,000 respectively, before decreasing to an estimated 679.5 cases per 100,000.
See further details in reference 10.10
Unknown primary site (ICD-10 code C80)
The age-standardized incidence rate cancer of unknown primary site per 100,000 decreased from 23.3 cases (27.7 for males and 20.0 for females) in 1982 to an estimated 9.7 in 2024 (11.7 for males and 7.9 for females), with a more pronounced decline since 2002. The pattern was the same in males and females. The number of cancers of unknown primary site increased from 2,141 in 1982 to about 2,630 in 2024 (from 1,118 to 1,442 among males and from 1,023 to 1,188 among females).
Between 1982 and 2024, age-specific incidence rates decreased in all age groups except 90 years and over where rates increased from 157.4 to 191.1 per 100,000 persons.
Uterine cancer (ICD-10 codes C54–C55)
The age-standardized incidence per 100,000 females has been inconsistent, varying marginally from 16.7 cases in 1982 to the lowest level in 1989 of 16.2 cases, but then increasing to an estimated 24.3 in 2024. The number of annual uterine cancer diagnoses increased from 943 in 1982 to an estimated 3,422 in 2024.
Age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 females increased among all age groups with the most pronounced increases in ages 40-49 and 70-79 years from 9.7 and 49.3 to 16.4 and 79.8 cases per 100,000, respectively.
About the data
All forms of cancer (except basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin) are notifiable in each Australian state and territory. In each jurisdiction, legislation exists such that hospitals, pathology laboratories and other institutions are required to report all cases of cancer to their jurisdictional central cancer registry. An agreed subset of the data collected by jurisdictional cancer registries is supplied annually to the AIHW with agreement of the Australasian Association of Cancer Registries, where it is compiled into the Australia Cancer Database (ACD). These registries are population-based and receive information on cancer diagnoses from a variety of sources, including hospitals, pathology laboratories, radiotherapy centres, and registers of births, deaths and marriages. The ACD currently contains incidence data on all cases of cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed from 1982 to 2020 for all states and territories. Cancer reporting and registration is a dynamic process, and records in the state and territory cancer registries are modified if new information is received. As a result, the number of cancer cases reported by the AIHW for any particular year may change slightly over time and may not align with state and territory reporting for the same years.1,11
Cancer is classified by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Version 10 (ICD–10). This is a statistical classification, published by the World Health Organization, in which each morbid condition is assigned a unique code according to established criteria. The cancers in the ACD are coded using the 2nd revision of the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3.2). The ICD-O-3.2 codes can be mapped to the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10).11
Projection methods rely on the assumption that past trends may be reasonably used to estimate future counts and rates. For most cancers, the 2021–2024 incidence estimates are projections based on 2011–2020 incidence data. For cancers where COVID-19 may have led to lower cancer incidence in 2020 (breast cancer, melanoma of the skin, colorectal cancer, colon cancer, rectosigmoid junction cancer, rectal cancer, appendiceal cancer, retroperitoneal and peritoneal cancer and thyroid cancer), it is likely the reduction may influence reliability of projections. For this reason, 2021–2024 incidence estimates are derived from 2010–2019 incidence data.1,11
For prostate cancer, the incidence projection method was revised for the 2022 release of Cancer data in Australia (CdiA). AIHW excluded prostate cancer from the usual projection method and instead held the most recent rates (by age group) steady and applied population growth estimates for those age groups to arrive at the new projected case counts.10 Prostate-cancer projections use the 2019 age-specific rates and keeps these constant across the projection period.
Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube form a new reporting category that is likely to be more closely aligned with how ovarian cancer was historically reported. Projections have been made for ‘ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube’ but not for ovarian cancer as such. This is because projections are based on the premise that trends occurring over the most recent 10 years are a reasonable basis from which to project future cancer rates. Unfortunately, there is too much uncertainty within the time series for the ovarian cancer incidence rate time series to provide a reasonable basis for projection of ovarian cancer as such.8
For brain cancer, a time series was created with aims to remove potential under-diagnosis in the elderly in earlier years. Pre-1996 brain cancer incidence rates appear to be at most risk of lower incidence and mortality rates arising from potential under-diagnosis. By using the 1996 incidence rates for the elderly and applying these age-specific rates to earlier years, adjusted age-standardized incidence rates were derived. These rates are intended to provide an indication of the age-standardized rates, while avoiding possible under-diagnosis of the elderly, thereby giving a more comparable time series from which brain cancer trends may be examined.6
The 36 individual cancer types estimated in GLOBOCAN 2022 include malignant neoplasms only, except for bladder cancer which may include carcinoma in situ, or tumours of uncertain or unknown behaviour, in the incidence (but not the mortality), depending on the definitions of malignancy used by the cancer registry. The category “non-melanoma skin cancer” (NMSC) excludes basal cell carcinomas in incidence figures.12
Methodology
Age-standardized and age-specific incidence rates are expressed per 100,000 population. The population data were sourced from the ABS using the most up-to-date estimates available at the time of creating the CdiA report.11 Incidence rates are based on the Australian population as at 30 June.1
Age standardization1,11
This standardization process removes the influence of age structure on the summary rate. In this Cancer Data in Australia (CdiA) report, the direct standardization approach presented by Jensen and colleagues (1991) was used. In addition to rates age-standardized to the 2001 Australian Standard Population, this CdiA report also includes rates age-standardized to 2024. The basic trend analysis between the two rates is often similar. However, the 2024 population is much older than the 2001 population. Cancer is generally more common in the older populations and accordingly, the 2024 age-standardized rates are often higher than 2001-based rates and thus more relevant to cancer today. The 2001 Australian Standard Population is available as the current Australian standard. World Health Organization and Segi age-standardized incidence rates are also available for international comparison.
The 2024 to 2034 population estimates were sourced from the Centre of Population December 2023 update of the National age and sex structure, 2022–23 to 2033–34.
Age-specific rates1,11 provide information on the incidence of a particular event in an age group relative to the total number of people at risk of that event in the same age group. It is calculated by dividing the number of events occurring in each specified age group by the corresponding ‘at-risk’ population in the same age group and then multiplying the result by a constant (for example, 100,000) to derive the rate. Age-specific rates are often expressed per 100,000 population.
International data12
The Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) contains cancer incidence from cancer registries around the world. Various methodologies are applied to the GCO data differing by country and data availability.
International incidence data are age-standardized to the World Standard Population.12
Data sources
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer data in Australia. Data. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/data
- Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon, France. Accessed Dec 2024; https://gco.iarc.fr/today
References
Activity in this area
Data
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer data in Australia. Data. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/data
- Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon, France. Accessed Dec 2024; https://gco.iarc.fr/today
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Web report. Cat. no. CAN 122. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Cancer incidence by age visualisation. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-incidence-by-age-visualisation
- Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon, France. Accessed Dec 2024; https://gco.iarc.fr/today
- Bray F, Laversanne M, Sung H, et al. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 May-Jun;74(3):229-263.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Cancer rankings data visualisation. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-rankings-data-visualisation
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data Commentary 4. A different view of brain cancer rate changes over time. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/a-different-view-of-brain-cancer-rate-changes-over
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data Commentary 12. An overview of colorectal cancer in Australia. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/an-overview-of-colorectal-cancer-in-australia
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data Commentary 5. Improving the understanding of ovarian cancer statistics. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/improving-the-understanding-of-ovarian-cancer-stat
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data Commentary 3. How are pancreatic cancer rates changing? Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/how-are-pancreatic-cancer-rates-changing
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data Commentary 9. Prostate cancer – projection method changes, updated long-term prostate cancer incidence projections. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/prostate-cancer-projection-method-changes-updated
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Methods. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/technical-notes/methods
- Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon, France. Data & Methods. Accessed Dec 2024; https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data-sources-methods#title-inc