Cancer remains a pressing health care challenge in Australia. Quality national data is critical in informing cancer control efforts.

Cancer Australia’s National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) website is a unique, dynamic national resource that brings together, for the first time, trusted national data to inform where our efforts can be best placed.

NCCI comprises a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The indicators have been developed through an extensive engagement and consultation process.

NCCI forms a bridge between information and outcomes, enabling users to see interconnections and relationships across cancer control, and to monitor national trends and benchmark internationally.

Designed for policymakers, governments, cancer organisations, researchers, health professionals and consumers, the data on the website will enhance understanding, stimulate enquiry and inform future directions in cancer control, whether in research, policy or clinical care. It will also be a trustworthy, authoritative source of information for the broader community and people affected by cancer.

Through NCCI, users can choose the type and depth of information they require through interactive charts which provide a visual representation of each indicator.

Data presented on NCCI represents currently available data sourced and collated in a coordinated approach involving Australia’s key national cancer data custodians including the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

NCCI provides national data for each cancer control indicator using the most current data available. It should be noted that there exists a large degree of variation in the availability and completeness of data for some cancer control domains, and for certain tumour types.

NCCI is designed to be updated as new data becomes available. Cancer Australia is working to improve the availability of national cancer data, and NCCI will showcase new data developments in national cancer control over time.

More information about the purpose of NCCI can be found at Data to Inform Cancer Control.

 

NCCI Data Sources

This diagram provides an overview of how NCCI brings together different sources of information across seven domains of the cancer control continuum. The diagram does not include data on stage and recurrence, or the Research and Psychosocial Care domains of the continuum. These sections of the website are in development.

Effective population screening programs can help reduce the incidence of late stage cancers. Tobacco use is the single largest cause of cancer globally and the predominant cause of lung cancer. Alcohol is a known carcinogen for humans, increasing the risk of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, oesophageal, liver, colorectal and (female) breast cancers. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for colorectal, breast (post-menopause), oesophageal (adenocarcinoma), endometrial, pancreatic, liver and kidney cancers. Consuming fruit and vegetables, and limiting red and processed meat, reduces the risk of some cancers. It is well established that physical activity is essential for good health and well-being. Chronic infection with some types of Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Tobacco use is the single largest cause of cancer globally and the predominant cause of lung cancer. Alcohol is a known carcinogen for humans, increasing the risk of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, oesophageal, liver, colorectal and (female) breast cancers. Chronic infection with some types of Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Hepatitis B and C infection is major risk factor for liver cancer. Sun exposure is an important risk factor for developing melanoma, and is a issue of public health concern in Australia. Prevention is an effective long-term strategy for reducing the burden of cancer and is a key element in cancer control in Australia. Effective population screening programs can help reduce the incidence of late stage cancers. The diagnosis domain encompasses cancer incidence and stage at diagnosis. Cancer incidence data refer to the number of new cases of cancer diagnosed in a calendar year. They can be presented as absolute numbers of cases or as rates. Cancer treatment following diagnosis includes surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapies. Chemotherapy utilisation rate measures Radiation therapy utilisation rate measures Treatment indicators for surgery measures Cancer outcomes include relative survival, mortality, prevalence, recurrence and palliative care. Cancer mortality data refer to the number of deaths in a calendar year for which the underlying cause is cancer. The mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) is generally used as a high-level comparative measure to identify inequities in cancer outcomes. Cancer prevalence is defined in this report as the number of people alive who have had a diagnosis of cancer during a specified period of time. Cancer survival provides an indication of cancer prognosis as well as the effectiveness of treatments available. Cancer mortality data refer to the number of deaths in a calendar year for which the underlying cause is cancer. Department of Health Department of Health Department of Health Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Australian Bureau of Statistics International Agency for Research on Cancer Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Medicare Benefits Scheme National Hospitality Morbidity Database GLOBOCAN - International Agency for Research on Cancer International Agency for Research on Cancer National Cancer Control Indicators GLOBOCAN - International Agency for Research on Cancer Australian Institute of Health and Welfare