Pancreatic cancer in Australia statistics

The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Pancreatic cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C25 (Malignant neoplasm of pancreas).

New cases

Pancreatic cancer was the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2021. It is estimated that it will remain the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2025. 

In 2021, there were 4,097 new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,173 males and 1,924 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 4,825 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (2,516 males and 2,309 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 69 (or 1.5%) risk of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 65 or 1.6% for males and 1 in 73 or 1.4% for females). 

In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 17 cases per 100,000 persons (19 for males and 15 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 17 cases per 100,000 persons (20 for males and 16 for females). The incidence rate for pancreatic cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 85−89 years. 

The number of new cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed increased from 1,205 (699 males and 506 females) in 1982 to 4,097 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 13 cases per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 9.8 for females) in 1982 to 17 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021. 

Deaths 

In 2023, pancreatic cancer was the fourth most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will be the third most common cause of death from cancer in 2025. 

In 2023, there were 3,724 deaths from pancreatic cancer in Australia (1,941 males and 1,783 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 4,039 deaths (2,111 males and 1,928 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 83 (or 1.2%) risk of dying from pancreatic cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 78 or 1.3% for males and 1 in 89 or 1.1% for females). 

In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 14 deaths per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 13 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 15 deaths per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 13 for females). The mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 85−89 years. 

The number of deaths from pancreatic cancer increased from 1,168 (671 males and 497 females) in 1982 to 3,724 persons in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased from 13 deaths per 100,000 persons (17 for males and 9.7 for females) in 1982 to 14 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.  

Survival 

In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer had a 14% chance (13% for males and 14% 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 pancreatic cancer increased from 3.1% to 14%. 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2021, there were 2,344 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that year, 5,356 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 8,184 people living who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021). 

For more information, see Pancreatic 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.