Lung cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C33 (Malignant neoplasm of trachea) and C34 (Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung).

New cases

Lung cancer was the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2016. It is estimated that it will remain the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.

In 2016, there were 12,216 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Australia (6,933 males and 5,283 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 13,258 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (7,238 males and 6,020 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 43 cases per 100,000 persons (53 for males and 36 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 42 cases per 100,000 persons (49 for males and 37 for females). The incidence rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for lung 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 lung 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 lung cancer diagnosed increased from 5,949 (4,689 males and 1,260 females) in 1982 to 12,216 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 47 cases per 100,000 persons (85 for males and 18 for females) in 1982 to 43 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths

In 2018, lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the most common cause of death from cancer in 2020.

In 2018, there were 8,586 deaths from lung cancer in Australia (5,000 males and 3,586 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 8,641 deaths (4,991 males and 3,650 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 28 deaths per 100,000 persons (36 for males and 22 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 27 deaths per 100,000 persons (34 for males and 22 for females). The mortality rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85-89.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for lung 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 lung 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 lung cancer increased from 5,288 (4,227 males and 1,061 females) in 1982 to 8,586 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 42 deaths per 100,000 persons (79 for males and 15 for females) in 1982 to 28 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. 

Survival

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with lung cancer had a 19 % chance (16% for males and 22% 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 lung cancer improved from 9.5% to 19%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for lung 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 lung 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 7,576 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer that year, 18,751 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 29,737 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information, see Lung 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.