The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Breast cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C50 (Malignant neoplasm of breast).
New cases
Breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2021. It is estimated that it will remain the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2025.
In 2021, there were 19,031 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia (176 males and 18,853 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 20,336 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (207 males and 20,129 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 16 (or 6.2%) risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 833 or 0.1% for males and 1 in 8 or 12% for females).
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-figure-1-estimated-cancer-incidence-persons-2025
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 74 cases per 100,000 persons (1.5 for males and 142 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 74 cases per 100,000 persons (1.6 for males and 140 for females). The incidence rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 70–74 years.
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates
The number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed increased from 5,388 (61 males and 5,327 females) in 1982 to 19,031 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 52 cases per 100,000 persons (1.5 for males and 94 for females) in 1982 to 74 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.
Deaths
In 2021, breast cancer was the fifth most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the fifth most common cause of death from cancer in 2025.
In 2023, there were 3,259 deaths from breast cancer in Australia (44 males and 3,215 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 3,353 deaths (40 males and 3,313 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 111 (or 0.9%) risk of dying from breast cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 5,989 or 0.02% for males and 1 in 57 or 1.8% for females).
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 12 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.4 for males and 23 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 12 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.3 for males and 22 for females). The mortality rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates
The number of deaths from breast cancer increased from 2,004 (17 males and 1,987 females) in 1982 to 3,259 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 21 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.5 for males and 37 for females) in 1982 to 12 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer had a 93% chance (87% for males and 93% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for breast cancer improved from 75% to 93%.
Graph: statistics-breast-cancer-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 18,636 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer that year, 85,395 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021), and 284,272 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
For more information on cancer data, see 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.
