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

Pancreatic cancer

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Pancreatic cancer accounts for 2 per cent of all new cancer in NSW and 6 per cent of cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 444 12.6 negative trend upwards 18.7 414 9.5 icon-trend-static.png 858 11.0
Deaths 381 10.8 negative trend upwards 16.3 368 8.2 icon-trend-static.png 749 9.5
Relative survival
(5 year)		 6% unchanged 6% icon-trend-static.png 2% -

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

  • Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cause of cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death in NSW.
  • One in 54 males and one in 75 females will develop pancreatic cancer by the age  of 85.
  • Overall, five-year survival is only 6 per cent for both males and 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

pancreatic-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

pancreatic-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Tobacco smoking is strongly associated with pancreatic cancer, with smokers being two-three times more likely than non-smokers to develop the disease.
  • Type-2 diabetes, chronic cirrhosis, pancreatitis and surgical removal of the gallbladder may also increase the risk.
  • High alcohol consumption is associated with a moderately increased risk.
  • Obesity, low physical activity and high consumption of red meat may increase the risk.

 

Prevention

Avoidance of tobacco smoking and a diet high in fruit and foods containing folate are protective factors.

In 2009-10, the NSW Government spent $14.8 million on mass media cancer prevention campaigns, promoting healthy  lifestyles and reducing tobacco consumption.

Detection and screening

Often a person with pancreatic cancer does not experience symptoms until the cancer has become advanced.

A number of tests may be performed to diagnose pancreatic cancer, including physical examination, blood tests, CT scans, ultrasound, MRI and other tests.

Research

Around $6.5 million was spent on research into upper gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic 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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