Bladder cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C67 (Malignant neoplasm of bladder).

New cases

In 2018, there were 2,968 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,250 males and 717 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 3,219 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (2,470 males and 749 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 97 (or 1.0%) risk of being diagnosed with bladder cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 62 or 1.6% for males and 1 in 222 or 0.45% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 9.7 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 4.3 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 9.3 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 4.0 for females). The incidence rate for bladder cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for bladder cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2,968 in 2018. 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 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, there were 1,084 deaths from bladder cancer in Australia (785 males and 299 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,043 deaths (744 males and 299 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 393 (or 0.25%) risk of dying from bladder cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 263 or 0.38% for males and 1 in 792 or 0.13% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.3 for males and 1.5 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 2.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.6 for males and 1.4 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 2020, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 1,084 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar 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 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer had a 56% chance (58% for males and 48% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for bladder cancer decreased from 65% to 56%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for bladder cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2017, there were 2,320 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer that year, 8,371 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 20,083 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.