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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 facts

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Cancer touches us all. It is a pervasive disease and most people have a story to tell about a loved one, a friend, a colleague or their own personal cancer journey.

On average, one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with a form of cancer during their lifetime. Cancer is now the largest cause of disease in Australia, surpassing cardiovascular disease.

In 2008, 36,611 people were diagnosed with cancer in NSW and 13,213 died from the disease. This is an alarming statistic but the reality is, based on current trends, it is projected there will be over 30 per cent more cases of cancer in the next 10 years.

The good news is even though new cases of cancer are increasing, prevention campaigns are making a difference.

We are also seeing more people participate in early screening tests which can catch cancer before it has a chance to spread and more. More patients are receiving the best possible cancer care and treatment available.

This is reflected in the fact that the current five-year survival rate for cancer in NSW is more than 64 per cent. This is on par with the best health systems in the world.

Key facts about cancer in NSW

  • About 38,872 people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2011.
  • This number is expected to increase to 50,967 by 2021.
  • Cancer still kills more than 13,500 people in NSW every year.
  • If a person lives to 85 years of age there is a 50 per cent chance that they will be diagnosed with cancer if they are male and a one in three chance if they are female.
  • Cancer rates have increased by 11 per cent in men over the past decade and remained steady in women.
  • Cancer deaths have fallen by 12.9 percent in males and 6.4 per cent in females over the past decade.
  • The five most common cancers (prostate, bowel, breast, melanoma and lung cancer) account for 63 per cent of all new cancer cases.
  • Men are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than women.

Specific cancers at a glance

If you'd like to access more information about a specific type of cancer including the number of new cases, the latest survival trends and risk factors associated with that cancer or the steps you can take to prevent that cancer, click on the drop down menu for a full list.

These fact sheets contain information on the following for each cancer type:

  • Incidence and mortality
  • Trends
  • Survival
  • Risk factors
  • Symptoms and diagnosis
  • Prevention and early detection
  • Research investment
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