Bladder cancer statistics in Australia
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Bladder cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C67 (Malignant neoplasm of bladder).
Estimated number of new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in 2020
3,098 = 
2,389 males + 
710 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
2.1 %
Estimated number of deaths from bladder cancer in 2020
1,016 = 719 males + 297 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2020
2.1 %
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
54%
People living with bladder cancer at the end of 2015 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2011 to 2015)
7,823
New cases
In 2016, there were 2,790 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,128 males and 662 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 3,098 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (2,389 males and 710 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 9.7 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 4.2 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 9.6 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 4.1 for females). The incidence rate for bladder cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for bladder cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed increased from 2,146 (1,569 males and 577 females) in 1982 to 2,790 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 18 cases per 100,000 persons (31 for males and 8.6 for females) in 1982 to 9.7 cases per 100,000 in 2016.
Deaths
In 2018, there were 1,015 deaths from bladder cancer in Australia (695 males and 320 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,016 deaths (719 males and 297 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (5 for males and 1.7 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.9 for males and 1.6 for females). The mortality rate for bladder cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for bladder cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from bladder cancer increased from 603 (428 males and 175 females) in 1982 to 1,015 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (9.8 for males and 2.7 for females) in 1982 to 3.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer had a 54% chance (57% for males and 46% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for bladder cancer decreased from 67% to 54%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for bladder cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2015, there were 2,293 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer that year, 7,823 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 19,190 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).
For more information, see Bladder cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
