Breast cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C50 (Malignant neoplasm of breast).

New cases

In 2016, breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females. It is estimated that it will become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020 among persons overall and among females.

In 2016, there were 17,492 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia (138 males and 17,354 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 19,974 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (167 males and 19,807 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 65 cases per 100,000 persons (1.0 for males and 126 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 69 cases per 100,000 persons (1.1 for males and 133 for females). The incidence rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age for both males and females, peaking at age group 70-74 for females.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for breast 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 breast 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 breast cancer diagnosed increased from 5,374 (61 males and 5,313 females) in 1982 to 17,492 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 44 cases per 100,000 persons (1.2 for males and 81 for females) in 1982 to 65 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths

In 2018, breast cancer was the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Australia and also the second most common cause of death from cancer among females.

In 2020, it is estimated that it will remain the fifth most common cause of death from cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer among females. In 2018, there were 3,034 deaths from breast cancer in Australia (35 males and 2,999 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 3,031 deaths (33 males and 2,997 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 10 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.3 for males and 19 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 9.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.2 for males and 18 for females). The mortality rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age for females, and be higher among males aged 70 years or over.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for breast 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 breast 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 breast cancer increased from 2,004 (17 males and 1,987 females) in 1982 to 3,034 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.4 for males and 30 for females) in 1982 to 10 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.

Survival

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer had a 91% chance (85% for males and 91% 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 breast cancer improved from 75% to 91%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for breast 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 female breast 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 16,746 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer that year, 74,482 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 223,303 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information, see Breast 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.