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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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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

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Bladder cancer

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Bladder cancer arises in the bladder, the organ that stores urine in the pelvis. It accounts for 1.9 per cent of all cancer deaths in NSW and 2.3 per cent of all new cancer cases.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 541 15.6 positive trend downwards 34.9 172 3.9 positive trend downwards 38.1 713 9.0
Deaths 207 6.2 positive trend downwards 21.3 91 1.9 - 298 3.7
Relative survival
(5 year)		 57% positive trend upwards 6% 50% - -
  • After allowing for differences in age, males were 4 times more likely than females to be diagnosed with bladder cancer and 3.2 times more likely to die from it.
  • The majority of new cases were in people aged 65 years and older: 80 per cent for males and 81 per cent for females.
  • Incidence and mortality rates of bladder cancer increased rapidly with age. The increase in rates was greater in males than females aged 60 years and over.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

NSW bladder cancer incidence, 1972-2008

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

NSW bladder cancer mortality, 1972-2008

 

Risk factors

  • Tobacco smoking accounts for 50-60 per cent of bladder cancer in males and 20-30 per cent in females.
  • Smokers are more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers
  • Occupational exposure to aromatic amines, often used in dyes, may also be a risk factor.
  • Males are more likely to develop bladder cancer than females.
  • Those with a family history of bladder cancer (in a father/mother or brother/sister) are at higher risk.
  • People with diabetes are at increased risk of bladder cancer

 

Prevention

Avoidance of tobacco smoking is a protective factor against bladder cancer. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and increased fluid intake may also be protective.

Detection and screening

There is no screening test for bladder cancer. Symptoms are also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Symptoms may include: blood in the urine, pain during urination and frequent and unsatisfied urination.

Tests to diagnose bladder cancer include urine tests and a cystoscopy, which uses a fibre-optic cystoscope to look directly into the bladder.

Research

Around $12.9 million was spent on urogenital cancer research, including bladder cancer, in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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