Overview

Cancer is a major cause of illness in Australia and has a substantial social and economic impact on individuals, families and the community. Findings from the recent Australian Burden of Disease Study showed that cancer as a disease group was the leading cause of burden in Australia in 2011, accounting for 19% of the total disease burden.

More reports and statistics on cancer can be found under Cancer screening.

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Latest findings

5-year relative survival was 70% for all cancers combined in 2013–2017

It has been estimated that 49,000 people will die from cancer in 2021

It has been estimated that 18,000 blood cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2021

In 2019, an estimated 136 people will die from cancer each day in Australia, on average

Breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2019, followed by prostate cancer

In 2011, over 70% of breast cancer cases and over 80% of prostate cancer cases were diagnosed at Stage I or II

Highlights