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 fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018. It is estimated that it will remain the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2022.

In 2018, there were 13,078 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Australia (7,168 males and 5,910 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 14,529 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (7,707 males and 6,822 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 20 (or 5.0%) risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 19 or 5.3% for males and 1 in 21 or 4.7% 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 44 cases per 100,000 persons (51 for males and 38 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 43 cases per 100,000 persons (49 for males and 39 for females). The incidence rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for lung 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 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 13,078 in 2018. 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 44 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, 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 2022.

In 2020, there were 8,457 deaths from lung cancer in Australia (4,751 males and 3,706 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 8,664 deaths (4,855 males and 3,809 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 34 (or 2.9%) risk of dying from lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 31 or 3.3% for males and 1 in 39 or 2.6% 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 26 deaths per 100,000 persons (32 for males and 22 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 25 deaths per 100,000 persons (31 for males and 21 for females). The mortality rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for lung 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 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 8,457 in 2020. 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 26 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with lung cancer had a 22% chance (18% for males and 26% 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 lung cancer improved from 10% to 22%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for lung 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 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 2017, there were 8,416 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer that year, 21,765 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 34,171 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.