Prostate cancer in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Prostate cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C61 (Malignant neoplasm of prostate).
Estimated number of new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2020
16,741 males
Estimated % of all new male cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
22%
Estimated number of deaths from prostate cancer in 2020
3,152 males
Estimated % of all male deaths from cancer in 2020
12%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
95%
Males living with prostate cancer at the end of 2015 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2011 to 2015)
89,703
New cases
Prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2016 and also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males. It is estimated to become the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020, while remaining the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males.
In 2016, there were 19,305 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2020, it is estimated that 16,741 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia.
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed among males, 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 141 cases per 100,000 males. In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 110 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 70-74, before decreasing with age after this.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2016
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for prostate cancer over time, by age, 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 prostate cancer diagnosed increased from 3,606 in 1982 to 19,305 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 80 cases per 100,000 males in 1982 to 141 cases per 100,000 males in 2016.
Deaths
In 2018, prostate cancer was the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia and the second most common cause of cancer death among males. It is estimated that it will become the fourth most common cause of cancer death in Australia and remain the second most common cause of male cancer death in 2020.
In 2018, there were 3,264 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia. In 2020, it is estimated that this will decrease to 3,152 deaths.
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death among males, 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 24 deaths per 100,000 males. In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 21 deaths per 100,000 males. The mortality rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2018
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for prostate cancer over time, by age, 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 prostate cancer increased from 1,370 in 1982 to 3,264 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 35 deaths per 100,000 males in 1982 to 24 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 95% chance 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 prostate cancer improved from 60% to 95%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for prostate cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016
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 prostate cancer over time, by age, 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 18,650 males living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that year, 89,703 males living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 220,943 males living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).
For more information, see Prostate 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.
