Cancer in Australia

Cancer has a major impact on the Australian community. At current incidence rates, one in three men and one in four women in Australia will develop cancer by the age of 75. By age 85, the risk increases to one in two for men and one in three for women.¹

The following fact sheets provide information about some common cancers in Australia (such as their incidence and mortality rates).  In addition to the information provided here, more information about particular cancers can be obtained through HealthInsite, an Australian Government initiative aiming to improve the health of Australians by providing easy access to quality information about human health. HealthInsite includes links to resources that explain cancer risks, treatment and support services.

Cancer in Australia

• Download Cancer in Australia fact sheet (PDF 268KB)

Breast Cancer

• Download breast cancer fact sheet (PDF 334KB)
• Read more about breast cancer on the HealthInsite website.

Cancer of Unknown Primary site

• Download Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) fact sheet (PDF 280KB)

Central Nervous System Cancers

• Download central nervous system (CNS) cancers fact sheet (PDF 281KB)
• Read more about brain cancer on the HealthInsite website.

Digestive System Cancers

• Download upper gastrointestinal cancers fact sheet (PDF 308KB)
• Download lower gastrointestinal cancers fact sheet (PDF 307KB)
• Read more about digestive system cancers on the HealthInsite website
• Read more about bowel cancer on the HealthInsite website
• Read more about liver cancer on the HealthInsite website
• Read more about stomach cancer on the HealthInsite website

Gynaecological Cancers

• Download gynaecological cancers factsheet (PDF 308KB)
• Read more about cervical cancer on the HealthInsite website
• Read more about ovarian cancer on the HealthInsite website

Head and Neck Cancers

• Download head and neck cancers fact sheet (PDF 308KB)
• Read more about head and neck cancers on the HealthInsite website

Leukaemia

• Download leukaemia fact sheet (PDF 306KB)
• Read more about leukaemia on the HealthInsite website

Lung Cancer

• Download lung cancer fact sheet (PDF 329KB)
• Read more about lung cancer on the HealthInsite website

Lymphoma

• Download lymphoma fact sheet (PDF 307KB)
• Read more about lymphoma on the HealthInsite website

Prostate Cancer

• Download prostate cancer fact sheet (PDF 281KB)
• Read more about prostate cancer on the HealthInsite website

Renal and Urinary Tract Cancer

• Download renal and urinary tract cancers fact sheet (PDF 281KB)
• Read more about bladder cancer on the HealthInsite website
• Read more about kidney cancer on the HealthInsite website

Skin Cancer

• Download skin cancer fact sheet (PDF 302KB)
• Read more about skin cancer on the HealthInsite website

Testicular cancer

• Download testicular cancer fact sheet (PDF 281KB)
• Read more about testicular cancer on the HealthInsite website

^{Source: 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australasian Association of Cancer Registries. Cancer in Australia 2006. Canberra: AIHW, 2007.}