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

Lung cancer

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Lung cancer accounts for 8.9 per cent of all new cancer in NSW and 20.2 per cent of cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 1,906 54.1 positive trend downwards 15.1 1,354 32.9 negative trend upwards 29.2 3,260 42.4
Deaths 1,666 47.5 positive trend downwards 16.2
 998 22.8 negative trend upwards 22.1 2,664 34.3
Relative survival
(5 year)		 14% icon-trend-static.png 1% 18% icon-trend-static.png 3% -

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

  • Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in NSW. It is the leading cause of cancer death in males and equal with deaths from breast cancer in females.
  • One in 13 males and one in 22 females will develop lung cancer by the age of 85.
  • In 2011, 2,604 deaths are expected from lung cancer in NSW (1,533 in males and 1,071 in females).

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

lung-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

lung-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Exposure to tobacco smoke is the major risk factor for lung cancer.
  • Duration of smoking is the strongest determinant of lung cancer in smokers; risk increases
    with duration and quantity of smoking.
  • Arsenic in drinking water and betacarotene supplements (in smokers only) may also increase the risk.
  • Chronic lung disease, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid disease, sarcoidosis or tuberculosis may also increase the risk.

 

Prevention

Avoiding tobacco smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is the best way to prevent lung cancer. For advice on quitting, speak to a doctor, a pharmacist or call the Quitline on 13-QUIT.

In 2009-10, the NSW Government spent $10 million on cancer prevention campaigns targeting tobacco smoking.

Detection and screening

Early diagnosis offers the best hope for treatment and survival.

Diagnosis of lung cancer usually occurs when a patient presents to their doctor with symptoms, such as a persistent cough. A doctor usually refers the patient to a cancer specialist for further examination and treatment. Unfortunately, the late presentation of symptoms often means the cancer has spread.

The Cancer Institute NSW and the NSW Oncology Group are working together on developing referral pathways for use by doctors in order to improve the rate of early diagnosis of lung cancer and maximise curative surgery.

Research

Around $1.5 million was spent on research into respiratory cancers, including lung 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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