Prevalence is used in this report to indicate the number of people alive with a prior diagnosis of cancer.1 It is an important high-level population-health indicator of cancer prevalence for health-care planning and service delivery. It reflects number of people affected by cancer, including those undergoing treatment or longer-term follow-up management or monitoring, as well as those with a permanent cancer-related impairment or disability requiring longer-term management.2 Prevalence statistics measures are important to inform overall cancer control efforts and in meeting cancer-service needs. In this section, limited-duration prevalence is used, relating to the 5 years preceding 31 December.1
Charts
About this measure
Prevalence measures the number of people alive with a prior diagnosis of cancer.1 It is important to inform health-care planning and service delivery. Prevalence is a product of incidence and survival. Cancers with high incidence and high survival (such as melanoma of the skin) have a high prevalence, whereas cancers with low incidence and low survival (such as pancreatic cancer) have a low prevalence. The prevalence of other individual cancer types varies with the product of their incidence and survival.2
5-year prevalence is defined as the number of living people who were diagnosed with a cancer in the past 5 calendar years to 31 December (for example, 5- year prevalence for 2020 includes the number of people alive at 31 December 2020 who were diagnosed with the specified cancer in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020).1
Current status
All cancers combined
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of all recorded cancers combined was 512,596 persons with an age-standardized rate per 100,000 of 2,046.2 per 100,000 people. The prevalence of all recorded cancers combined was higher in males than in females (275,841 males vs 236,738 females affected, with corresponding age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people of 2,328.6 vs 1,804.4). In 2020, the prevalence increased with increasing age with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 75-84 years (8,304.2 people) then decreasing for ages 85 years and over to 7,158.8. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Bladder cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of bladder cancer was 8,959 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 36.5 per 100,000 persons. Bladder cancer prevalence was more than 4 times higher in males than in females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence per 100,000 people being 62.8 and 14.1, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, especially from ages 45-54 years, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 85 years and over at 304.2. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Brain cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of bladder cancer was 8,959 persons, with an age-standardized rate of 36.5 per 100,000 persons. Bladder cancer prevalence was more than 4 times higher in males than in females. (the age-standardized 5-year prevalence per 100,000 people being 62.8 and 14.1, respectively). In 2020, prevalence increased with age. The highest prevalence was for ages 85 years and over, at 304.2 per 100,000 people. However, the increase in prevalence began from ages 45-54 years.. This pattern applied to both males and females. Prevalence was 574.2 per 100,000 males and and132.5 per 100,000 females.
Breast cancer in females
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of breast cancer was 83,124 females, with an age-standardised rate of 631.8 per 100,000 females.
In 2020, breast cancer prevalence generally increased with increasing age, especially from ages 25-34 years, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 65-74 years of 1,850.6, which then decreased to 1,456.1 per 100,000 at ages 85 years and over.
Colorectal cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of colorectal cancer was 56,200 persons, with an age-standardised rate per 100,000 of 225.9 per 100,000 persons. Colorectal cancer prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 258.6 and 196.5, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence generally increased with age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 85 years and over of 1,265.8. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Colon cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of colon cancer was 38,323 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 154.8 per 100,000 persons. Colon cancer prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 166.7 and 144.1, respectively). In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 85 years and over of 1,021.1. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Rectal cancer (including rectosigmoid junction)
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of rectal cancer was 18,423 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 73.3 per 100,000 persons. Rectal cancer prevalence was higher in males than in females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 95.1 and 53.7, respectively). In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring in ages 75-84 years of 282.0, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 259.8. This pattern is similar in males, but in females, the highest rate per 100,000 was at ages 85 years and over of 196.4.
Head and Neck cancer (including lip)
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of Head and Neck cancer was 18,450 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 73.0 per 100,000 persons. Head and neck cancer prevalence in males was triple that in females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 111.5 and 37.5, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring in ages 75-84 years of 239.5, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 202.7. This pattern was similar in males and females.
Liver cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of liver cancer was 4,826 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 19.2 per 100,000 persons. Liver cancer prevalence in males was triple that in females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 29.6 and 9.7, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 75-84 years of 73.3, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 55.8. This pattern was similar in males and females.
Lung cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of lung cancer was 26,356 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 106.7 per 100,000 persons. Lung cancer prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 111.8 and 103.0, respectively). In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age, especially from ages 45-54 years, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring in ages 75-84 years at 600.7, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 390.4 people. This pattern was similar in males and females.
Melanoma of the skin
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of melanoma of the skin was 68,589 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 273.5 per 100,000 persons. Prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 334.3 and 221.3, respectively). In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring for ages 85 years and over at 1,158.6. This pattern was similar in males and females.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 22,395 persons with an age-standardised rate of 89.8 per 100,000 persons. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 107.5 and 73.9, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring in ages 75-84 years at 410.2, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 389.5. This pattern was similar in females, but in males, the highest rate occurred in ages 85 years and over at 502.9 males per 100,000.
Oesophageal cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of oesophageal cancer was 3,156 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 12.7 per 100,000 persons. Oesophageal cancer prevalence in males was nearly triple that in females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 19.4 and 6.7, respectively). In 2020, prevalence generally increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring in ages 75-84 years at 65.7, which then decreased for ages 85 years and over at 49.9. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Pancreatic cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of pancreatic cancer was 5,124 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 20.5 per 100,000 persons. Pancreatic cancer prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people were 22.1 and 19.0, respectively).
In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 75-84 years at 87.7, which then decreased at ages 85 years and over at 64.7. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Prostate cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of prostate cancer was 99,845 males, with an age-standardised rate of 844.3 per 100,000 males. In 2020, prostate cancer prevalence generally increased with age, with the highest rate per 100,000 occurring in ages 75-84 years at 4,192.8, which then decreased to 2.486.0 for ages 85 years and over.
Ovarian cancer/Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of ovarian cancer was 4,160 females, with an age-standardized rate of 31.8 per 100,000 females. Correspondingly, the prevalence of ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube was 5,343 females, with an age-standardized rate of 40.9 per 100,000 females.
In 2020, ovarian cancer prevalence generally increased with age, with the highest rate in females aged 75-84 years, at 88.6 rate per 100,000 females. This then decreased for women aged 85 years and over at 58.0. Similarly, the prevalence rate for ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube rose to 127.8 per 100,000 females for women aged 75-84 years. This then decreased for women aged 85 years and over to 73.5 per 100,000. Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube provide a useful representation of ovarian cancer. This is because of changes in how ovarian cancer and cancers of the fallopian tube have been reported over time..4
See further details in reference 4.
Unknown primary site cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of Unknown primary site cancer was 2,899 persons, with an age-standardised rate of 11.7 per 100,000 persons. Unknown primary site cancer prevalence was higher in males than females (the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rates per 100,000 people being 15.0 and 8.7, respectively). In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 people occurring at ages 85 years and over of 79.5. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Uterine cancer
In 2020, the 5-year prevalence of uterine cancer was 12,346 females, with an age-standardised rate of 94.2 per 100,000 females. In 2020, prevalence increased with increasing age, with the highest rate per 100,000 females occurring at ages 65-74 years of 328.9, which then decreased to 177.1 for ages 85 years and over.
Trends
All cancers combined
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons for all recorded cancers combined increased, initially from 1,680.5 to 2,005.2 in 2011, but then remained quite stable until 2020 at 2,046.2. Over the same period, the prevalence rate in males increased from 1,949.3 to 2,410.5 in 2010, then stabilizing to 2012, before decreasing to 2,309.5 in 2018, with an increase occurring again to 2,328.6 in 2020. In females, the prevalence increased from 1,502.2 to 1,801.8 in 2017, then remaining stable to 2020 at 1,804.4.
Bladder cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of bladder cancer decreased from 45.6 to 37.5 in 2008, remaining stable until 2018 at 38.0, then marginally decreasing to 36.5 in 2020. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Brain cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of brain cancer increased from 10.5 to 13.9 in 2011, remaining relatively stable until 2020 at 14.1. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Breast cancer in females
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 females of breast cancer increased from 550.9 to 643.7 in 2018, then slightly decreased to 631.8 in 2020.
Colorectal cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of colorectal cancer increased from 252.6 to 270.0 in 2011, then decreased to 225.9 in 2020. This pattern applied to both males and females, but with smaller differences applying to males.
Colon cancer
Rectal cancer (including rectosigmoid junction)
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of rectal cancer increased marginally from 90.4 to 93.8 in 2011, then decreased to 73.3 in 2020. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Head and Neck cancer (including lip)
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of Head and Neck cancer decreased from 80.1 to 70.5 in 2008, then increased to 75.2 in 2015 with a following marginal decrease again to 73.0 in 2020. Over this period, the prevalence rate per 100,000 in females decreased from 41.8 to 36.3 in 2009, then increased to 40.7 in 2015 before declining to 37.5 in 2020. In males, the prevalence rate decreased from 123.9 to 107.4 in 2008, then increased to 112.9 in 2016 and was relatively stable to 111.5 in 2020.
Liver cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons of liver cancer substantially increased from 5.6 to 19.2 in 2020. This pattern applied to both males and females.
Lung cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year lung-cancer prevalence rate per 100,000 persons increased from 69.7 to 106.7 in 2020, with a more pronounced increase occurring from 79.1 in 2011. This pattern applied to both males and females since 2011. From 2000 to 2011, the prevalence rate in males remained relatively stable between 97.4 and 94.5, while in females, it increased from 47.3 to 66.8 per 100,000.
Melanoma of the skin
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year melanoma prevalence rate per 100,000 persons increased from 226.6 to 248.7 in 2006, remaining quite stable until 2013 at 249.1. It then increased again to 273.5 in 2020. The pattern was relatively similar in males. In females, the prevalence rates per 100,000 increased from 191.5 in 2000 to 204.8 in 2005 then decreased to 197.4 in 2010, with an increase again to 222.8 in 2019.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma increased from 63.1 to 89.8 in 2020. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Oesophageal cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons for oesophageal cancer marginally increased from 10.8 to 12.7 in 2020. Over the same period, the prevalence rate per 100,000 increased in males from 14.7 to 19.4, while in females, it varied, with the suggestion of a decline from 7.6 to 6.7 per 100.000.
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
The age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 males for prostate cancer increased substantially from 669.0 in 2000 to 1,024.4 in 2009, stabilizing to 2011 at 1026.8, then decreasing to 821.2 in 2018 before marginally increasing again to 844.3 in 2020.
Ovarian cancer/Ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube
The age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 females for ovarian cancer remained stable from 2000 until 2013 at between 38.1 and 37.7 before decreasing to 31.8 in 2020. The age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 females for ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube varied from 38.8 in 2000 to 42.2 in 2018 and then declining to 40.9 in 2020.
Unknown primary site cancer
From 2000 to 2020, after the short period of increasing from 15.6 to 16.8 in 2004, the age-standardized 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 persons for cancer of unknown primary site decreased to 11.7 in 2020. The pattern was similar in males and females but the decrease started later in males (since 2007) compared with females (since 2001).
Uterine cancer
From 2000 to 2020, the age-standardised 5-year prevalence rate per 100,000 females for uterine cancer increased from 73.3 to 94.2 in 2020. Prevalence was relatively stable since 2016 between 94.0 and 95.1 per 100,000 females.
About the data
5-year prevalence was defined operationally as the number of living people who were diagnosed with a reported cancer in the past 5 calendar years to 31 December. For example, the 5-year prevalence for 2020 was the number of people alive at 31 December 2020 who were diagnosed with the specified cancer in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020).1
Note: prevalence was measured as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, not the number of cancer cases. An individual who was diagnosed with two separate cancer types contributed separately to the prevalence of each cancer. However, this individual contributed only once to the prevalence of all recorded cancers combined. For this reason, the sum of prevalence for individual cancers will not equal the prevalence of all cancers combined.1
The longest period for which it is possible to calculate prevalence using available national data (from 1982 to 2020) was 39 years. This was used to provide an approximate estimate of the ‘total’ prevalence of cancer as at the end of 2020, noting that people diagnosed with cancer before 1982 were not included.1
In this current Cancer data in Australia (CdiA) report, there was a new report of prevalence time series, by age from 2000 to 2020.1,3
Prevalence was also presented as a proportion of the population (prevalence rate) and expressed per 100,000 population. This rate was age-standardised to 2001&2024 Australian populations respectively.
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 Australian Cancer Database (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). All reported cancers combined incorporate ICD-10 cancer codes C00–C96 with mortality also incorporating C97, D45 (polycythaemia), D46 (myelodysplastic syndromes), and D47.1, D47.3, D47.4 and D47.5 (myeloproliferative diseases).5
References
Data source
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Data. Cat. no. CAN 122. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/data?&page=2
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer prevalence data visualisation. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-prevalence
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Web report. Cat. no. CAN 122. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/about
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: period estimates from 1982 to 2010. Cancer Series no. 69. Cat. no. CAN 65. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-survival-and-prevalence-in-australia-perio/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer prevalence data visualisation. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-prevalence
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 in Australia. Methods; Canberra: AIHW. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/technical-notes/methods