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Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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Cancer presentation slides

View and download slides of key cancer statistics and facts for use in your presentations.

In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

Run detailed and customised reports on specific cancers, with comparisons on age, genders and geography:

Online statistics module

Cancer in NSW

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Cancer impacts the lives of many people in New South Wales, whether by coping with a diagnosis of cancer, caring for a loved one, or searching for a cure.

However, the number of people in NSW diagnosed with cancer is steadily rising. In 2008, 36,611 people were diagnosed with invasive cancer in NSW. Men were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than women. Cancers of the prostate, bowel, breast, melanoma and lung were the most common and were responsible for 63 per cent of all new cases.

Although the burden of cancer is shared by all, the distribution of its impact and outcomes is not equal across the entire population in NSW. Throughout the State, minority and underserved groups have higher incidence and mortality, particularly Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Advances in prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are allowing many more people to survive and live longer with the disease. As the number of survivors grows, the impact on the healthcare system will increase, including the need for long term follow up after treatment, late effects of treatment, the need for rehabilitation and improved palliative care.

Based on current trends in NSW, 38,872 people will be told 'you have cancer' in 2011. That number will increase to 50,967 by 2021.

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