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

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

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

Online statistics module

Leukaemia

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Leukaemia accounts for two per cent of all new cancer in NSW and four per cent of cancer deaths. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in boys and girls aged less than 15 years.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 521 14.9 positive trend downwards 14.9 389 9.4 positive trend downwards 13.3 910 12.0
Deaths 259 7.6 positive trend downwards 23.7 162 3.7 positive trend downwards 30.9 421 5.4
Relative survival
(5 year)		 49% icon-trend-static.png 2% 48% icon-trend-static.png 3% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Leukaemia is the eleventh most common cause of cancer and the twelfth most common cause of cancer death in NSW.
  • One in 56 men and one in 86 women will develop leukaemia by the age of 85.
  • Leukaemia is the most common cancer in boys and girls aged under 15 years of age however the majority of new cases of the disease are diagnosed in people aged 65 years and older.
  • It is expected that more than 1,050 people will be diagnosed with leukaemia and the disease will cause more than 475 deaths in 2011.

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

leukaemia-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

leukaemia-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Exposure to ionising radiation and certain chemicals, such as benzene, petroleum products, paint, embalming fluids, ethylene oxide and some pesticides are the main risk factors.
  • Occupational exposure to formaldehyde has also been identified as a risk factor.
  • People with pre-existing blood disorders or particular genetic disorders, such as Down's
    syndrome, are at increased risk.

 

Prevention

There are few known ways to protect against leukaemia, however, avoidance of exposure to ionising radiation and the chemicals listed in this fact sheet is recommended.

Detection and screening

A person with chronic leukaemia may not experience symptoms and the disease may be found during a routine blood test by a doctor.

Acute leukaemia symptoms may include those similar to other blood cancers. However, these same symptoms are also associated with more common illnesses that are not cancer. Such symptoms may include: tiredness, swollen lymph  nodes, fever, night sweats, unexplained bleeding or easy bruising and unexplained weight loss.

Research

More than $17.7 million  was spent on research into lymphohaematopoietic cancers, including leukaemia, 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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