Significance of the indicator
In the 2022 Cancer data in Australia (CdiA) report, two sets of mortality data were published. One was sourced from the National Mortality Database (NMD) having actual data from 1971 to 2022 and projections to 2024 and the other was derived from the Australian Cancer Database (ACD) comprising actual data from 2017 to 2020 with projections to 2024.1,2 Prior to 2022, only the NMD was used to report cancer mortality. While data presented in figures were extracted from the NMD, in the narratives, mortality rates projected in 2024 are discussed using both data from NMD and ACD for those cancers with recommendations and preference for use of the ACD in the AIHW’s interim recommendations (e.g., colon cancer, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, head and neck cancer including lips, ovarian cancer and rectal cancer).3 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.4,5
Summary
Cancer mortality in Australia is increasing overall.
From 1971 to 2024, numbers of deaths for all cancers combined increased from 18,346 to an estimated 52,671 deaths per year.
Age-standardized mortality rates are decreasing for most cancer types.
Between 1971 and 2024, age-standardized mortality rates decreased for all cancers combined from 252.8 to 194.0 deaths estimated per 100,000 persons, and for most cancer types, except for increasing trends for cancers of the brain, liver, pancreas and melanoma of the skin, and with marginal changes for rectum, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and unknown primary site.
Age-standardized mortality rates are higher in males than females for all cancers combined.
In 2024, age-standardized mortality rates estimated in males and female were 239.5 and 157.4 deaths per 100,000, respectively.
Cancer mortality rates for all cancers combined for people aged in their 30s and 40s are decreasing.
Age-standardized mortality rates in their thirties and forties decreased steadily from 26.5 and 89.7 to 12.4 and 36.9 deaths per 100,000 persons, respectively.
Australia's cancer mortality rate is in the lower end range among 15 comparison countries.
The projected age-standardized cancer mortality rate per 100,000 in Australia was the fourth lowest (83.6 deaths per 100,000) among the comparison countries.
Charts
About this measure
Cancer mortality data generally refer to the number of deaths in a calendar year for which the underlying cause is cancer. This can be expressed as absolute numbers of deaths or as rates per 100,000 people. Mortality rates are often age-standardized to enable comparisons across different populations with different age profiles, noting that the likelihood of death from cancer generally increases with age.1 Age-specific rates are used to compare cancer mortality between different age groups.
Age-standardized and age-specific data are released each year by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) for individual cancer types and cancer groupings. These cancer types and groupings are classified using ICD-10 coding.1
International cancer mortality data are available through the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) project; these data are age-standardized to the overall age structure of the world population.4,5 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
In 2024, the highest projected age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 persons were for cancers of the lung (32.8), colon/rectum (19.3), pancreas (14.4), prostate (14.4), and breast (12.2). Age-standardized mortality rates were higher in males than females for all cancer types, except breast cancer.
All cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C00–C97, D45, D46, D47.1, D47.3–D47.5)
In 2024, it is estimated that there would be 52,671 deaths (29,531 males and 23,140 females equating with the age-standardized mortality rate (to the 2024 Australian population distribution) of 194.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (239.5 for males and 157.4 for females).
Age-specific mortality rates generally increase with age, with the highest rate in the age group of 90 years and older (2,829 deaths per 100,000 persons). This pattern applied to both males and females.
International comparisons
In 2022, the projected age-standardized mortality rate for Australian people for all cancers combined excluding non-melanoma skin cancer was estimated to be the fourth lowest (83.6 deaths per 100,000) among the selected comparison countries (for this international comparison, data are for ICD-10 codes C00–C97/C44). This is in contrast to Australia’s cancer incidence rate which typifies the higher rates generally seen in high-income countries plus high rates of sun-related cancers. This pattern was similarly the 3rd lowest in Australian males and females, respectively.
Bladder cancer (ICD-10 code C67)
In 2024, bladder cancer was estimated to be the fourteen most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 There were an estimated 1,121 deaths (791 males and 330 females) equating with an age-standardized mortality rate of 4.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.7 for males and 2.1 for females per 100,000). Age-specific mortality rates generally increase with age, especially from ages 45-49 years, with the highest rate for ages 90 years and over at 130.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (estimated in 2024). This pattern was the same in males and females.
International comparisons
In 2022, the projected age-standardized mortality rate for bladder cancer in Australian at 1.8 deaths per 100,000 persons ranked the 4th lowest, compared with the highest rate estimated for France of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 persons, among comparison countries. This rate ranked the 4th lowest in both males and females in Australia.
Brain cancer (ICD-10 code C71)
In 2024, brain cancer was estimated to be the ninth most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 It corresponds with 1,606 deaths (975 males and 631 females) and an age-standardized mortality rate of 5.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.5 for males and 4.4 for females per 100,000).
Age-specific mortality rates for brain cancer generally increase with age, especially from ages 35-39 years. The highest rate was in age group of 85-89 years at 26 cases per 100,000 persons. This pattern was the same in females. But in males, the highest rate was in ages 80-84 years at 32.4 cases per 100,000 men.
International comparisons
International data are available for brain and central nervous system cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C70–72). In 2022, the projected age-standardized mortality rate for brain and central nervous system cancers in Australians was at the higher middle part of the range for the comparison countries (6th), with an estimated rate of 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons. The highest estimated rate of 4.3 deaths per 100,000 persons was for Sweden, and the lowest was for Japan at 1.2 deaths per 100,000 persons. In both males and females, the rank for Australia was in the middle of the range (4.6 deaths and 2.9 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively).
See more details in reference 7.7
Breast cancer in females (ICD-10 code C50)
In 2024, breast cancer was estimated to be the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall and the 2nd most common in females in Australia.6 This corresponds with 3,272 deaths in females with an age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 women of 22.4 deaths.
Age-specific mortality rates generally increased with ages from 30-34 years, being highest for ages 90 years or over at 285.7 deaths per 100,000 females.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for breast cancer in Australian females ranked the sixth-lowest among selected developed countries at 12.3 deaths per 100,000 females. The highest estimated rate of deaths per 100.000 females was for Uruguay at 21.6 per 100,000, whereas the lowest was for Korea at 5.8 per 100,000.
Cervical cancer (ICD-10 code C53)
In 2024, cervical cancer was estimated to be the 20th most common cause of cancer death in females in Australia. There were an estimated 243 deaths attributed to cervical cancer in Australia with an age-standardized mortality rate at 1.7 per 100,000 females.
Age-specific mortality rates generally increased with ages from 35-39 years and were the highest for ages 90 years or over at 7.1 deaths per 100,000 females.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for cervical cancer in Australian females was the lowest among the comparison countries at 1.4 deaths per 100,000 females, which was quite similar to New Zealand (1.5 per 100,000). The highest mortality rate was recorded in Chile and Uruguay at 5.2 deaths per 100,000 females.
Colorectal cancer (ICD-10 codes C18–C20, C26.0)
In 2024, colorectal cancer was estimated to be the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 There were an estimated 5,239 deaths (2,730 males and 2,509 females) giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 19.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (22.2 for males and 16.8 for females per 100,000).
Age-specific mortality rates for colorectal cancer generally increased with age, notably from ages 30-34 years. The highest rate was in the age group of 90 years and over at 392.3 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was similar in males and females (429.7 deaths in ages 90+ years in males and 371.4 in females of that age respectively, per 100.000).
International comparisons
International data are available for colorectal and anal cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C18–21). In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for colorectal and anal cancers combined in The Australian death rate was the 3rd lowest among selected countries, alongside Korea with 8.6 deaths per 100,000 persons. United States had the lowest rate and Singapore the highest (7.9 and 16.7 deaths per 100,000 respectively). This rate ranked the 2nd lowest in males (10.4 deaths per 100,000) and the 3rd lowest in females (7.0 deaths per 100,000) in Australia.
See more details for colorectal cancer in reference 8.8
Colon cancer (ICD-10 code C18)
As in the Australian Cancer Database (ACD), in 2024, there were an estimated 3,425 deaths from colon cancer in Australia (1,672 males and 1,753 females). The age-standardized mortality rate was an estimated 12.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (13.6 for males and 11.7 for females per 100,000). (Note: the ACD was recommended in reporting mortality rates for colon cancer).1,3
As in NMD, in 2024, there were an estimated 1,237 deaths from colon cancer in Australia (575 males and 662 females). The age-standardized mortality rate was estimated at 4.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.8 for males and 4.4 for females per 100,000).
Age-specific mortality rates increased with age, notably from ages 35-39 years. The highest rates were in the age group of 90 years and over at 124.7 and 242.0 deaths per 100,000 persons, as recorded in the NMD and ACD, respectively. This pattern was the same in males and females in both the NMD and ACD data (117.9 and 250.7 deaths in ages 90+ years in females and 136.8 and 226.3 in males per 100,000), respectively).
International comparisons
These data were not available for C18 as such.
See data caveat for colon cancer reporting.
Rectal cancer (including rectosigmoid junction) (ICD-10 codes C19–C20)
As in the ACD, in 2024, it is estimated that about 1,686 deaths (1,062 males and 624 females) occurred with an age-standardized mortality rate of 6.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.5 for males and 4.3 for females per 100,000). Age-specific mortality rates increase with age, notably from ages 30-34 years. The highest rate was in the age group of 90 years and over at 89.4 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was the same in males and females (130.4 deaths in ages 90+ years in males and 66.4 in females per 100,000, respectively). (Note: the ACD was recommended in reporting mortality rate for rectal cancer).1,3
As in NMD data, in 2024, it is estimated that there were about 3,051 deaths (1,709 males and 1,342 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (13.7 for males and 9.1 for females per 100,000). Age-specific mortality rates increase with age, notably from ages 30-34 years. The highest rate was in the age group of 90 years and over at 138.9 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was the same in males and females (159.8 deaths in ages 90+ years in males and 127.1 at this age in females per 100,000).
International comparisons
These data were not available for C19-C20.
See data caveat for rectal cancer
Head and neck cancer (including lip; ICD-10 codes C00-C14, C30–C32)
In 2024, it is estimated that there will be about 1,412 deaths from these cancers (1,013 males and 399 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate using the Australian Cancer Database (ACD) at 5.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.0 for males and 2.7 for females per 100,000) (Note: the ACD was recommended for reporting mortality rate for head and neck cancer including lip).1,3
The age-standardized mortality rate as per the National Mortality Database (NMD) was 4.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.6 for males and 2.5 for females per 100,000). It corresponded with 1,318 deaths from these cancers (958 males and 360 females). The rates in males tripled that in females.
Age-specific mortality rates increase with age, notably from ages 45-49 years. The highest rate was in the age group of 90 years and over at 47.7 and 41.7 deaths per 100,000 persons using the NMD and ACD, respectively. This pattern was the same in males (80.6 and 65.2 deaths in ages 90+ years using the NMD and ACD, respectively) and females (29.3 and 28.6 in females per 100,000, again using the NMD and ACD, respectively).
International comparisons
Comparable international data are not available for head and neck cancers.
Liver cancer (ICD-10 code C22)
In 2024, liver cancer was estimated to be the sixth most common cause of cancer death in Australia with 2,041 deaths (1,453 males and 588 females).6 The age-standardized mortality rate was 7.5 per 100,000 persons (10.8 for males and 4.3 for females per 100,000) (Note: using the Australian Cancer Database (ACD) as recommended).1,3
Using the National Mortality Database (NMD), there were an estimated 2,595 deaths (1,689 males and 906 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate of 9.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (13.3 for males and 6.2 for females). The rates in males were double that in females.
Age-specific mortality rates increased with age, notably from ages 40-44 years. The highest rate was in the age group of 85-89 years at 73.8 and 50.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (as per NMD and ACD, respectively). The pattern was the same in male but in females, the highest rate was in ages 90 years and over at 63.6 and 39.3 deaths per 100,000 females (as per NMD and ACD, respectively).
International comparisons
International data were available for cancers of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts. In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for liver cancer in Australia was the 4th highest among the selected comparison countries, with 4.8 deaths per 100,000 persons. The highest rate was in Singapore at 11.0 deaths per 100,000 persons, respectively. This ranking was similar in males whereas the Australian rate was middle-ranking in females.
Lung cancer (ICD-10 codes C33–C34)
In 2024, lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 It is estimated that there would be about 8,918 deaths (4,909 males and 4,009 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate at 32.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (39.1 for males and 27.7 for females per 100,000).
The mortality rate for lung cancer increases with age, particularly from ages 45-49 years. The highest rate was for ages 85-89 years at 261.1 deaths per 100,000. The highest rates were for ages 85-89 years in females at 199.5 deaths and for ages of 90 years and over in males at 383.6 deaths per 100,000.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for lung cancer in Australia was the fourth-lowest among the 15 selected developed countries, with 15.6 deaths per 100,000 persons. The highest rate per 100,000 persons was for Uruguay at 25.4 deaths while the lowest was for Chile at 11.3 deaths. The Australian rate ranked the 3rd lowest in males and the 5th lowest in females.
Melanoma of the skin (ICD-10 code C43)
In 2024, melanoma of the skin was the 11th most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 It is estimated that there would be about 1,340 deaths (892 males and 448 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate of 4.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.3 for males and 3.0 for females per 100,000). The rate in males was more than double that in females.
The mortality rate for melanoma of the skin increased with age, notably from ages 35-39 years. The highest rates were for ages 90 years and over at 86.6 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was similar in males and females with peak rates of 147.1 and 52.9 deaths per 100,000, respectively.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for melanoma of the skin for Australia (2.2 deaths per 100,000 persons) was the 2nd highest in the world after New Zealand (3.9 deaths per 100,000 persons). This pattern was similar in males and females.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–C86)
In 2024, non-Hodgkin lymphoma was the eighth most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 It is estimated that in 2024 there would be 1,795 deaths (1,040 males and 755 females) with an age-standardized mortality rate at 6.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.4 for males and 5.1 for females per 100,000). Age-specific mortality rates increase with age, particularly from the age group of 60–64 years. The highest rates were in ages 90 years and over at 101.7 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was similar in males and females at 131.7 and 85.0 deaths per 100,000, respectively.
International comparisons
International data are available for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–86 and C88). In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Australia was in the middle part of the range of comparison countries with 2.8 deaths per 100,000 persons. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Oesophageal cancer (ICD-10 code C15)
In 2024, oesophageal cancer was the 13th most common cause of cancer death in Australia.6 Estimates from ACD data are that in 2024 there would be about 1,193 deaths (884 males and 309 females) corresponding with an age-standardized mortality rate of 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.0 for males and 2.1 for females per 100,000). (Note: the ACD was recommended to be used in this report for oesophageal cancer mortality).
As in the NMD, there would be about 1,439 deaths (1,079 males and 360 females) giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 5.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.5 for males and 2.5 for females per 100,000) in 2024. The rates in males were more than triple that in females.
Age-specific mortality rates increased with age. The highest rates per 100,000 persons were for ages 90 and over as per NMD at 46.7 deaths and for ages 85-89 years as per ACD at 35.4 deaths.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for oesophageal cancer for Australia ranked 7th among the 15 comparison countries at 2.7 deaths per 100,000 persons. In Australian males, this rate was in the lower middle part of the range whereas it was in the middle part in females.
Ovarian cancer (ICD-10 code C56)/Ovarian and serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube (C56 (all histology types) and C57.0, C57.8 (with histology types 8441, 8460, 8461))
As per the ACD, it is estimated that in 2024 there would be about 1,067 deaths attributed to ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 7.4 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for ovarian cancer increases with age. The highest rate applied at ages 80-84 years at 55.3 deaths per 100,000 females. (Note: the ACD was recommended to be used to report mortality in ovarian cancer).
As per the NMD, it is estimated that in 2024 there would be about 1,054 deaths attributed to ovarian cancer, giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for ovarian cancer increased with age. The highest rate applied to ages 85-89 years at 54.0 deaths per 100,000 females.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for ovarian cancer in Australian females was the fifth lowest (3.9 deaths per 100,000) among the 15 comparison countries. The lowest rate was for Korea at 2.6 deaths per 100,000 females.
See further details in reference 9.9
Pancreatic cancer (ICD-10 code C25)
In 2024, pancreatic cancer was estimated to have been the third most common cause of cancer death in 20246 when there would have been about 3,902 deaths (2,027 males and 1,875 females), giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 14.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (16.1 for males and 12.8 for females per 100,000).
Age-specific mortality rates increased with age, with the highest rate applying for ages 85-89 years at 130.7 deaths per 100,000 persons. This pattern was the same in females with peak at 125.8. The highest rate in males was in ages 90 years and over at 144.5 deaths per 100,000.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for pancreatic cancer in Australia was the 4th lowest among the selected comparison countries alongside Korea at 5.9 deaths per 100,000. This pattern was similar in males (5th lowest) and females (4thlowest). Uruguay had the highest rate at 9.4 deaths per 100,000 persons among the comparison countries.
See further details in reference 10.10
Prostate cancer (ICD-10 code C61)
In 2024, prostate cancer was the fourth most common cause of cancer death overall and the second most common in males in Australia.6 It is estimated that there would be 3,901 deaths, giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 33.1 deaths per 100,000 males.
The mortality rate for prostate cancer increases with age from ages 50-54 years, being highest at ages of 90 years and over at 1,056.3 deaths per 100,000 males.
International comparisons
In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for prostate cancer in Australian males was the 8th among selected comparison countries, with 10.8 deaths per 100,000 males. Uruguay had the highest rate per 100,000 males at 17.8 deaths while the lowest rates were in Korea and Japan at 4.4 deaths per 100,000.
See further details in reference 11.11
Unknown primary site cancer (ICD-10 codes C77–C80, C97)
In 2024, cancer of unknown primary site was the seventh most common cause of cancer death in Australia,6 with 1,872 deaths (996 males and 876 females), giving an estimated age-standardized mortality rate of 6.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (8.2 for males and 5.8 for females per 100.000) using ACD data.
As in NMD, there were an estimated 2,897 deaths (1,607 males and 1,290 females), corresponding with an age-standardized mortality rate of 10.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (13.2 for males and 8.6 for females per 100.000).
Age-specific mortality rates increased with age. The highest rate was in the age group of 90 years and over at 223.6 and 173.2 deaths per 100,000 persons using NMD and ACD data, respectively. This pattern was the same in males (285.2 and 190.5 deaths in ages 90+ years using the NMD and ACD, respectively) and females (189.3 and 163.6 in females per 100,000, again using the NMD and ACD, respectively).
International comparisons
Comparable international data are not available for cancers of unknown primary site.
Uterine cancer (ICD-10 codes C54–C55)
In 2024, uterine cancer was the 8th most common cause of cancer death in females in Australia.6 There were an estimated 693 deaths, giving an age-standardized mortality rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000. Age-specific mortality rates generally increased with age from age 40-44 years, reaching a peak at ages 85-89 years of 34.2 deaths per 100,000.
International comparisons
International data estimates are available for uterine cancer for the ICD-10 code C54 only. In 2022, the estimated age-standardized mortality rate for uterine cancer was the fifth-lowest (same as for Sweden) among comparison countries, with 2.2 deaths per 100,000 females. The highest rate was for Singapore at 3.8 deaths per 100,000 females.
Trends
Cancer is estimated to account for around 3 of every 10 deaths in Australia in 2024. The percentage has increased gradually from 17% in 1971 but has been relatively stable between 28% and 30% from the turn of the century.1
All cancers combined (ICD-10 codes C00–C97, D45, D46, D47.1, D47.3–D47.5)
Since 1994, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 people decreased from 277.5 deaths to an estimated 194 deaths (239.5 for males and 157.4 for females per 100,000) in 2024, after higher rates per 100,000 of 252.8 deaths (333.0 for males and 198.6 for females) in 1971. This pattern was similar in males and females with the latter commencing a decrease in females (from 1996). In contrast, the number of deaths from cancer kept rising from 18,346 in 1971 to an estimated 52,671 persons in 2024.
From 1971 to 2024, decreases applied to age-specific mortality rates in all age groups younger than 50 years. In ages 50-59 years, this rate per 100,000 persons increased from 1971 to 1985 from 251.0 to 271.6 deaths then decreased to 120.2 in 2024. In age groups 60-69 and 70-79 years, a similar pattern of increasing rates from 1971 to 1994 was reported from 544.9 and 960.2 to 596.4 and 1130.4 deaths per 100,000 persons, respectively and decreased since then to 2024. In ages 80-89 years, the mortality rates per 100,000 increased since 1971 with peaks in 1996 and 2008 (from 1485.9 to 1798.2 and 1802.9, respectively) and decreased afterwards to an estimated 1607.7 in 2024. In ages 90 years and over, the mortality rates per 100,000 increased from 1685.7 in 1971 to 2829.1 in 2024.
Bladder cancer (ICD-10 code C67)
From 1971 to 2024, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons halved from 7.9 deaths (14.1 for males and 4.0 for females) in 1971 to an estimated 4.1 per 100,000 in 2024 (6.7 for males and 2.1 for females) although over the same period, the number of annual deaths from bladder cancer increased from 488 in 1971 to an estimated 1,1121 in 2024. The pattern was the same in males and females.
From 1971 to 2024, the change was not consistent in different age groups from 50-59 years. It declined from 1978 to 2024 (4.7 to 1.1 deaths per 100,000) in ages 50-59 years. In ages 60-69 and 70-79 years, the decline started in 1976 from 14.6 and 39.7 to 3.6 and 10.9 deaths respectively per 100,000 persons in 2024. In ages 80-89 years, the decline started in 1995 from 69.5 to 46.3 per 100,000 in 2024. In contrast, since 1983 (the lowest point), the mortality rates increased to ages 90 years and over from 60.1 to an estimated 130.6 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024.
Brain cancer (ICD-10 code C71)
The number of annual deaths from brain cancer increased from 385 in 1971 to an estimated 1,606 in 2024. Over the same period, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased from 3.7 deaths (4.6 for males and 2.9 for females) in 1971 to 7.1 deaths in 1990, stabilizing between 1990s and 2000s, and decreasing since 2002 from 7.0 deaths to an estimated 5.9 in 2024. The pattern was similar in males and females. Actual age-standardized mortality rates for brain cancer suggested marginal change over time and inconsistency. Adjusted mortality rates more clearly showed there has been a decrease in mortality rates.7
Age-specific mortality rates were inconsistent over time. Among people aged 70-79 and 80-89 years, rates have increased significantly from 5.6 to 21.7 and 2.3 to 25.1 per100,000, respectively.
Further details on brain cancer changes refer to reference 7.7
Breast cancer in females (ICD-10 code C50)
The number of deaths from breast cancer in females increased from 1,582 in 1971 to an estimated 3,272 in 2024. Over the same period, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 females decreased to an estimated 22.4 in 2024 from 37.7 per 100,000 since 1993, after a period of marginal variation from 1971-1993 between 33.8 and 38.4 per 100,000. Like many other cancers, the increasing number of deaths is attributable to increasing population size and the ageing population.1
From 1971 to 2024, decreases were generally observed in age-specific mortality rates for all females aged 20 years and over, especially since 1994-1997. Substantial decreases were identified for ages 40-49 and 50-59 years especially from 1994 from about 28.6 and 59.7 deaths to 11.2 and 25.7 deaths per 100,000 females, respectively. The rate in females for ages 60-69 years also decreased from 85.1 deaths in 1995 to an estimated 40.7 deaths per 100,000 females in 2024. After a downward trend from 185.1 in 1971, the rates in ages 80-89 years experienced an increase since 2004 between 137.9 and 154.9 per 100.000.
Cervical cancer (ICD-10 code C53)
The number of annual deaths from cervical cancer decreased from 359 in 1971 to an estimated 243 in 2024. Over the same period, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 females decreased substantially from 8.0 deaths in 1971 to an estimated 1.7 deaths in 2024.
From 1971 to 2024, decreases in age-specific mortality rates were seen in all age groups from 30 years. Notably, decreases were also reported at ages 80-89 and 70-79 years from 33.1 and 26.2 deaths to 5.0 and 3.5 deaths per 100,000 females, respectively. The rate in females per 100,000 aged 60-69 years and 50-59 years decreased substantially from 13.4 and 15.3 deaths to an estimated 3.1 and 3.2 deaths per 100,000 females in 2024.
Colorectal cancer (ICD-10 codes C18–C20, C26.0)
From 1971 to 2024, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons initially was stable between 1971 and 1987 at around 40.2 and 42.9 deaths before decreasing markedly to an estimated 19.3 (22.2 for males and 16.8 for females) per 100,000 in 2024. This trend was largely due to a change in males where the rate per 100,000 increased from 43.3 in 1971 to 51.8 in 1987, then decreasing to an estimated 22.2 in 2024. The age-specific mortality rate in females declined substantially from 37.7 to 16.8 deaths per 100,000 females over the same period. The number of annual deaths from colorectal cancer rose from 2,679 in 1971 to an estimated 5,239 (2,730 males and 2,509 females) in 2024.
Age-specific mortality rates have declined in all age groups from 30 years since the late 1980s. The rate per 100,000 people in ages 40-49 years and 50-59 years decreased significantly from 11.6 in 1986 and 39.5 in 1987 to an estimated 5.6 and 14.0 deaths in 2024, respectively. Correspondingly, the rates per 100,000 for ages 60-69 and 70-79 years have declined from 88.7 in 1994, and since 1988 from 164.1 to an estimated 26.9 and 54.7 deaths in 2024, respectively. However, the rates for ages 90 years and over trended upwards since 2007 from 311.8 to 392.3 deaths per 100,000 estimated in 2024.
Further details on colorectal cancer changes refer to reference 8.8
Colon cancer (ICD-10 code C18)
The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons decreased markedly from 29.4 in 1994 to an estimated 4.6 in 2024 (4.8 for males and 4.4 for females), after a period of variation between 26.8 and 31.0 (1971-1994). This pattern was the same in males and females from 1994 onwards. Between 1971 and 1994, there was the suggestion of a minor downward trend in females from 26.9 to 25.3, while an increase was observed in males from 26.2 to 34.8 deaths per 100,000. The number of annual deaths from colon cancer increased from 1,788 in 1971 to a peak at 3,546 in 1996, then decreasing to an estimated 1,237 in 2024.
Age-specific mortality rates per 100,000 declined markedly since late 1980s and early 1990s in all age groups. The most marked decreases were observed in ages 60-69 and 70-79 years from 64.1 (in 1994) and 118.8 (in 1988) to an estimated 5.5 and 10.9 deaths per 100,000 respectively in 2024. For people aged 50-59 and 40-49 years, rates per 100,000 persons also decreased markedly from 29.2 (in 1985) and 10.3 (in 1980) to an estimated 2.7 and 1.1 deaths in 2024, respectively. This rate started a decline in ages 30-39 years since 1973 from 3.1 to an estimated 0.6 in 2024.
When using ACD data, the mortality rate for colon cancer decreased from 19.6 in 2007 to an estimated 12.6 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024.
See data caveat.
Rectal cancer (including rectosigmoid junction) (ICD-10 codes C19–C20)
The age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 persons were largely unchanged at 10.7 in 1971 and 11.1 in 1981, then decreasing to 8.0 deaths in 2004, followed by an increase to 12.0 in 2018 and an estimated 11.2 deaths in 2024. This pattern generally applied to both males and females. The number of annual deaths from rectal cancer increased from 726 in 1971 to an estimated 3,051 in 2024.
From 1971 to 2024, age-specific mortality rates per 100,000 were inconsistent and without a clear trend until 2006, after which increases were observed, particularly for ages 80-89 and 30-39 years, from 48.4 and 0.2 (in 2004) to an estimated 89.1 and 2.0 in 2024. For ages 70-79 years, the rate per 100,000 increased from 33.7 in 2006 to 48.3 in 2016, then decreasing to an estimated 36.0 deaths in 2024.
When using ACD data, the mortality rate for rectal cancer (including rectosigmoid junction) decreased from 10.2 in 2007 to an estimated 6.2 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024.
See data caveat.
Head and neck cancer (including lip; ICD-10 codes C00–C14, C30–C32)
The number of annual deaths from head and neck cancer increased from 522 in 1971 to an estimated 1,318 (958 males and 360 females) in 2024. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased marginally from 6.9 (11.7 for males and 3.4 for females) in 1971 to 7.6 in 1996 (12.5 for males and 3.4 for females), subsequently decreasing to an estimated 4.9 deaths in 2024. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Age-specific mortality rates per 100,000 persons generally decreased since the late 1980s/early 1990s although the trends were inconsistent. For ages 40-49 and 50-59 years there were changes from 4.0 (1984) and 13.8 (1986) to an estimated 1.1 and 3.9 respectively in 2024. For ages 60-69 years, the rate per 100,000 increased from 15.5 in 1971 to 26.1 in 1992, and then decreasing substantially to an estimated 12.4 per 100,000 in 2024.
When using ACD data, the mortality rate decreased from 6.2 in 2007 to an estimated 5.2 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024.
Liver cancer (ICD-10 code C22)
The number of annual deaths from liver cancer increased from 131 in 1971 to an estimated 2,595 (1,689 males and 906 females) in 2024. Over the same period, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased steadily from 1.7 (2.4 for males and 1.2 for females) in 1971 to an estimated 9.6 (13.3 for males and 6.2 for females) in 2024. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Even though the ACD is recommended, the NMD could be considered the best data source for the reporting of liver cancer mortality over time. However, it would be important to note that the liver cancer mortality rates presented may be overstated (approximately 25% higher than the ACD between 2007 and 2017).1,3
Age-specific mortality rates have mostly increased since 1971 in all age groups. These rates had decreased for ages 50-59 years from a peak of 10.6 in 2016 to an estimated 7.1 per 100,000 in 2024 and varied downtrend for ages 40-49 years from a peak of 2.4 in 2006 to an estimated 1.6 in 2024. For ages 60-69 years, it decreased from 24.0 in 2019 to 21.0 in 2022 before potentially increasing marginally again to 24.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2024. Between 2021 and 2022, these rates appeared to edge downwards in ages 80-89 and 90 years and over from 65.7 and 76.3 to 62.5 and 65.2 per 100,000, respectively.
See data caveat for further liver cancer mortality trends reporting.
Lung cancer (ICD-10 codes C33–C34)
The number of annual deaths from lung cancer increased from 3,406 in 1971 to an estimated 8,918 (4,909 males and 4,009 females) in 2024. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased from 43.4 in 1971 to 55.3 in 1989 and then decreased to an estimated 32.8 in 2024. This pattern also presented in males where the rate per 100,000 increased from 84.4 in 1971 to 103.4 in 1981 before decreasing to an estimated 39.1 in 2024. The corresponding rate per 100,000 increased in females from 11.8 (1971) to a peak of 32.1 (2010) before decreasing to an estimated 27.7 in 2024.
Age-specific mortality rates generally started to decrease in different years and different age groups, followed by increases from 1971, except for ages 90 years and over. The starting years of the declines increased in older age groups. The most pronounced decline was in ages 40-49 and 50-59 years, beginning at 17.0 (1976) and 66.3 (1985) and declining to an estimated 3.8 and 20.9 deaths per 100,000 persons respectively in 2024. The declines started later in 1994 and 2008 in ages 70-79 and 80-89 years, respectively. Age-specific mortality rates among those aged 90 years and over increased from 66.0 to 255.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2024.
Melanoma of the skin (ICD-10 code C43)
The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased from 3.8 (4.2 for males and 3.3 for females) in 1971 to a peak at 8.0 (12.2 for males and 4.5 for females) in 2013, then decreased to an estimated 4.9 in 2024 (7.3 for males and 3.0 for females). The reduction in mortality rates was accompanied by changes in number of deaths from 1,625 in 2013 to an estimated 1,340 in 2024, following increases from 351 deaths in 1971. The pattern was similar in males and females, although with less consistent and smaller differences applying to females.
Age-specific mortality rates decreased in ages from 30 years between different years following periods of increases. The decline in rates per 100,000 in ages 30-39 and 40-49 years started from 3.6 (1978) and 5.2 (1974), reaching an estimated 0.3 and 0.9 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024, respectively. For ages 60-69 years, the rates increased from 5.7 in 1971 to a peak at 15.8 in 2003 and then decreased to an estimated 6.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2024. Similarly for ages 70-79 years and 80-89 years, the rates per 100,000 started to decrease since 2012 from 30.4 and since 2013 from 56.8 to an estimated 19.3 and 44.2 in 2024, following increases since 1971 from 8.0 and 11.6 deaths per 100,000 respectively. Although inconsistent, there was an upward trend for ages 90 years and over from 18.0 in 1971 to an estimated 86.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2024, with a decrease between 2020 and 2022 from 90.2 to 67.1 deaths per 100,000.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (ICD-10 codes C82–C86)
The number of annual deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma increased from 518 in 1971 to 1,543 in 1997, then decreasing to 1,344 in 2009 and then increasing again to an estimated 1,795 in 2024.
The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons increased from 6.2 (8.4 for males and 4.6 for females) in 1971 to 11.5 in 1997, and then decreased to an estimated 6.6 deaths in 2024 (8.4 for males and 5.1 for females).
Age-specific mortality rates per 100,000 persons have generally decreased since the 1990s in all age groups except ages 90 years and over. The rates in ages 90+ years trended upwards from 18.0 in 1971 to an estimated 101.7 in 2024. For ages 80-89 years, the rates per 100,000 increased from 26.1 in 1971 to a peak of 83.9 in 2000 and decreased since then to an estimated 67.7 in 2024. The most pronounced decreases were observed in ages 30-39 and 40-49 years from 2.2 (1993) and 4.2 (1992) to an estimated 0.2 and 0.7 deaths respectively per 100,000 persons in 2024.
Oesophageal cancer (ICD-10 code C15)
The number of annual deaths from oesophageal cancer increased from 389 in 1971 to an estimated 1,439 in 2024 (1079 in males and 360 in females). In contrast, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 persons varied from 5.7 (8.8 for males and 3.6 for females) in 1971 to a peak of 7.5 in 1988, followed by a potential decline to an estimated 5.3 in 2024 (8.5 in males and 2.5 in females). The pattern was similar in females. In males, the downward trend started later from 2005 with a decrease from 11.0 to an estimated 8.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2024.
Age-specific mortality rates have decreased since early 2000s in age groups from 70-79 years although not consistently. The most pronounced decreases were in ages 40-49 and 50-59 years from 1.9 In 2007 and 7.7 in 1976 to an estimated 0.8 and 4.2 in 2024, respectively.
When using ACD data, the mortality rate for oesophageal cancer decreased from 5.5 in 2007 to an estimated 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2024.
Ovarian cancer (ICD-10 code C56)/Ovarian and serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube (C56 (all histology types) and C57.0, C57.8 (with histology types 8441, 8460, 8461))
The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 females decreased from 10.0 in 1971 to 7.3 in 2024. However, the number of annual deaths from ovarian cancer increased from 445 in 1971 to an estimated 1,054 in 2024. Reducing rates may reflect improvements in survival. However, unlike ovarian cancer incidence rates, ovarian cancer mortality rates have not decreased sharply.1,9 This may suggest that the mortality data are not being impacted by ovarian cancer deaths (as historically understood). However, it may reflect instead differences in recording practices, potentially due to more recent inclusion of cancer of the fallopian tube deaths where the death rate remained relatively consistent.1,9
When using ACD data, the mortality rate for ovarian and serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube appeared to decrease marginally from 8.8 in 2007 to an estimated 7.4 deaths per 100,000 females in 2024.
From 1971 to 2024, decreases were observed in age-specific mortality rates for females in all age groups, except in ages 80 years and over where an increase was recorded from 28.2 to an estimated 52.3 deaths per 100,000 females. Marked decreases were reported in ages 40-49 and 50-59 years from a peak of 9.2 in 1974 and 20.6 in 1973 to an estimated 1.8 and 6.6 deaths per 100,000 females in 2024, respectively.
See data caveat. Further details on ovarian cancer changes refer to reference 9.9
Pancreatic cancer (ICD-10 code C25)
The number of annual deaths from pancreatic cancer increased from 881 in 1,971 to an estimated 3,902 in 2024 (2,027 males and 1,875 females). The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 was 12.7 in 1971, remaining relatively stable until 2014 and then marginally increasing from 12.6 to an estimated 14.4 deaths in 2024. Over this period, the rates per 100,000 increased in females from 9.4 to 12.8 but with a corresponding decrease from 17.2 to 13.4 in 2005 followed by a moderate increase to an estimated 16.1 in 2024 for males. While the more recent mortality rates are generally at the higher end of the range, they have not increased to the same degree as age-standardized incidence rates.1,10
While age-specific mortality rates among ages younger than 70 years have generally decreased, these rates per 100,000 increased in ages 70-79, 80-89 and 90+ years from 51.9 and 75.5 and 84.0 (in 1971) to an estimated 60.7 and 109.3 and 130.6 in 2024 respectively. Between 1971 and 2024, the rates per 100,000 persons edged downwards in ages 40-49 years from 3.2 to an estimated 2.4 deaths and in ages 60-69 years from 30.6 to 28.4 respectively.
Further details on pancreatic cancer changes refer to reference 10.10
Prostate cancer (ICD-10 code C61)
From 1971 to 2024, the age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 males increased from 45.0 to a peak of 62.1 in 1994, and since then decreased to an estimated 33.1 in 2024. In contrast, the number of annual deaths from prostate cancer continued to rise from 944 in 1971 to an estimated 3,901 in 2024. The increase may be attributed to population growth and ageing.1,11
The mortality rate pattern was mainly driven by the decline of age-specific mortality rates in males aged 60-69 and 70-79 years from 62.7 (1995) and 248.8 (1994) to an estimated 25.2 and 105.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2024. The corresponding rates per 100,000 for ages 80-89 years also decreased from 662.3 in 1993 to 356.3 in 2024, after an increase from 500.9 in 1971. Between 1971 and 2024, the rate per 100,000 for ages 50-59 years trended downwards from 7.1 to an estimated 4.4 deaths in 2024, although with a peak of 9.2 in 1992. By comparison, the rate per 100,000 trended upwards in ages 90 years and over from 589.5 in 1971 to an estimated 1,056.3 in 2024.
While the AIHW does not produce long-term cancer mortality projections, the impact of an ageing population is already evident in prostate cancer mortality statistics. In the future, the increasing number of men reaching higher risk ages is likely to lead to an increasing number of deaths from prostate cancer.1,11
Further details on prostate cancer changes refer to reference 11.11
Unknown primary site cancer (ICD-10 codes C77–C80, C97)
The number of deaths from cancer of unknown primary site increased from 711 in 1971 to an estimated 2,897 in 2024 (1,607 in males and 1,290 in females). The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 increased from 10.1 (11.7 for males and 9.1 for females) in 1971 to a peak in 2004 of 19.0, then decreasing to an estimated 10.7 (13.2 for males and 8.6 for females) in 2024. The pattern was similar in males and females.
Age-specific mortality rates per 100,000 for ages 70 years and over generally increased to peaks in 2004-2006, followed by a decrease to 2024, while for ages 30 years to ages 50-59 years, the decrease started in the late 1980s. For ages 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89 years, downward trends started from peaks at 35.4 (1998), 76.3 (2004) and 170.8 (2006) to an estimated 15.0, 33.3 and 101.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2024, respectively. This rate fluctuated downwards after a peak in 1981 at 4.5 deaths to an estimated 1.7 deaths per 100,000 persons in ages 40-49 years.
Uterine cancer (ICD-10 codes C54–C55)
The number of deaths from uterine cancer increased from 236 in 1971 to an estimated 693 in 2024. The age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 decreased from 6.0 in 1971 to 3.3 in 2000, then increased to a peak in 2019 of 5.0 deaths before declining again to an estimated 4.8 in 2024. This trend was affected by declines in females aged 50-59 years and 80-89 years respectively from 7.1 in 1972 and 39.2 in 1975 to 2.2 in 1999 and 16.8 in 2001, which then increased to 4.5 and 33.1 in 2019 before declining again to an estimated 4.1 and 30.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2024.
About the data
Cancer mortality refers to the number of deaths occurring during a specified time period (usually one year) for which the underlying cause of death is cancer.
The major source of the cancer mortality data presented here was the National Mortality Database (NMD), which is compiled by the AIHW from data provided by state and territory Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and the National Coronial Information System, and as coded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), for deaths from 1964 to 2022. In this 2022 Cancer data in the Australia (CdiA) report, deaths registered in 2019 and earlier are based on the final version of cause of death data, whereas deaths registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are based on revised and preliminary versions and are subject to further revision by the ABS.1,12
At the time of the 2022 release of the CdiA, two sets of mortality data were published, i.e.: the National Mortality Database (NMD) and the Australian Cancer Database (ACD). The AIHW provided a recommendation on which data source should be used for cancers reported in the CdiA.1,3 AIHW’s cancer mortality investigations are in a preliminary phase. Given that the preliminary findings indicated that the NMD may not be as appropriate for reporting mortality for certain cancers, the 2022 release of the CdiA mortality data also included ACD mortality data (Note: mortality estimates from the Australian Cancer Database for 2021-2024 are based on 2011-2020 data). The AIHW recommended using mortality data from the ACD when users focused solely on cancer mortality for the periods where ACD mortality data are available (currently 2007 to 2017).1,3 The December 2024 release of the Cancer data in Australia report includes the final elements of the cancer mortality project in which, for selected cancers, the cause of death as recorded by the Australian Cancer Database was compared with the cause of death as recorded by the National Mortality Database.1
(Note: see more details in reference 1).
While the AIHW considers the ACD to generally provide more precise cancer mortality reporting, the ACD currently has a relatively limited time series and the NMD has more recent mortality data. The recency of NMD data means the 2018, 2019 and 2020 years are actual data within the NMD whereas only projected data are possible from the ACD for these years. The ACD and NMD mortality data for 2021 and 2022 are both projected. With its recency and extended time series, the NMD cancer statistics will offer stronger reporting for 2018 to 2022 where the NMD actual mortality statistics appears sufficiently representative for the selected cancer.1,3
Where the NMD is recommended for continued use for a particular cancer, the NMD data may be more comfortably used for pre-2007 cancer mortality reporting. While the NMD may have access to less information from which to identify underlying causes of death for cancer than the ACD, it has a longer historical time-series and is more up-to-date. At the time of releasing the CdiA, mortality data from the NMD, it was sufficiently complete for reporting up to 2020, while the ACD incidence data was sufficiently complete for reporting up to 2018 (with some estimation of late registrations) and ACD mortality data were complete up to 2017. It is possible that, like the 2018 incidence data, there may still be some outstanding mortality information that is yet to be provided to the ACD. Accordingly, the 2017 ACD may under-count mortality to some extent.1,3
NMD data are derived from information recorded on death certificates. Therefore, the NMD does not include histology information nor have access to some of the additional information used to derive the ACD data, which enables cancer type to be more accurately assigned in the ACD in some cases.1,3
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).12 All 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) but excluding basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. BCC and SCC, the most common skin cancers, are not notifiable diseases in Australia and are not reported in the Australian Cancer Database.12
Projections - Estimating the mortality of cancer
This method is the same as the incidence projections with the exceptions that the 10-year baseline for incidence is 2011–2020 while the baseline for mortality from the NMD is 2013–2022 and the baseline for mortality from the ACD is 2011–2020. The 2023–2024 mortality estimates from the National Mortality Database are projections based on 2013-2022 data.1,12
Methodology12
Age standardization
Age-standardized mortality rates for the Australian population were age standardized to the 2001 Australian Standard Population and a separate series was available with standardization to the 2024 Australian population. Rates are expressed per 100,000 population.
International data
The Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) contains cancer incidence and mortality from cancer registries around the world. Various methodologies are applied to the GCO data that differ by country and data availability.4,5 Additional details on methodology and data availability can be found in reference 13.13 International mortality data are age-standardized to the World standard population, which generally gives appreciably lower rates than standardization to the Australian population due to differences in age weightings.1,12,13
Data caveat
For all cancers combined, the NMD is recommended for reporting based on the completeness of the data. Notably, a greater level of agreement is seen between the ACD and NMD data for all cancers combined as they are obtained from the same source (note: the NMD has added value with coded causes for all deaths).1,3
For liver cancer mortality reporting, the ACD is recommended. The NMD provides the only source of longer-term national historical mortality reporting for this cancer. The general trend of ACD liver cancer mortality also supports the general trend of NMD liver cancer mortality.3 Even though the ACD is recommended, the NMD could be considered the best data source for the reporting of liver cancer mortality over time. In using these data, it would be important to note that the liver cancer mortality rates presented may be overstated (approximately 25% higher than the ACD between 2007 and 2017).1,3
For ovarian cancer, mortality rates for cancers of the fallopian tube remain quite stable. Note: an exact comparison cannot be made because the NMD does not collect information about cancer histology. It is therefore not possible to isolate ovarian cancer deaths from those from serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, such that all cancers of the fallopian tube are reported (not only serous carcinomas). Unlike incidence data, mortality was reported for ovarian cancer not ovarian cancer and serious carcinomas of the fallopian tubes.1,3,9
For colorectal cancer, unlike the incidence data, the mortality data include the unspecified part of the intestinal tract (ICD-10 code: C26.0) in addition to the colorectal part (ICD-10 codes: C18–C20).1,5 Some likely reasons for the differences between colorectal cancer mortality data in the NMD and ACD include:1,3,8
- The term bowel cancer is commonly used in Australia as an interchangeable term for colon cancer. The term bowel cancer is coded to C26.0 (Cancer of the intestinal tract, part unspecified) and colon cancer to C18.9 (colon, unspecified). For statistical analysis it is recommended that these two codes are combined.
- C19 – the term colorectal cancer is often used on death certificates and the term is coded to C19 (cancer of the rectosigmoid junction).
While the age-standardized rates for colon cancer were significantly higher in the ACD, these rates are higher in the NMD for rectal cancer.
In future, colon or rectal cancer deaths will be unlikely to be published separately using the NMD due to the relatively large differences between the NMD and ACD. The information received on death certificates is unlikely to enable finer level reporting such as colon or rectal cancer from the NMD but it is suitable for reporting for the broader range of colorectal cancer.1,3,8
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. Cancer mortality by age visualisation. Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-mortality-by-age-visualisation
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data commentary 8b. Interim guidelines – choosing which mortality data source to use (2024 update). Accessed Dec 2024; https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/cancer-data-commentaries/interim-guidelines-choosing-which-mortality-data
- 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 2022. 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