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).
New cases
Prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2021. It is estimated that it will remain the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2025.
In 2021, there were 26,469 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2025, it is estimated that 28,868 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2025, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 5 (or 19%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.
Graph: statistics-prostate-cancer-figure-1-esimated-cancer-incidence-persons-2025
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 220 cases per 100,000 males. In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 220 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age up to 75–79 years.
Graph: statistics-prostate-cancer-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates
The number of new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed increased from 3,607 males in 1982 to 26,469 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 111 cases per 100,000 males in 1982 to 220 cases per 100,000 males in 2021.
Deaths
In 2023, prostate cancer was the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will become the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in 2025. In 2023, prostate cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death among Australian men and it is estimated that it will remain the second most common cause of cancer death among Australian men in 2025.
In 2023, there were 3,726 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia. In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 3,975 deaths. In 2025, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 55 (or 1.8%) risk of dying from prostate cancer by the age of 85.
Graph: statistics-prostate-cancer-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 33 deaths per 100,000 males. In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 33 deaths per 100,000 males. The mortality rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-prostate-cancer-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates
The number of deaths from prostate cancer increased from 1,370 males in 1982 to 3,726 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 49 deaths per 100,000 males in 1982 to 33 deaths per 100,000 males in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 96% chance 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 prostate cancer increased from 60% to 96%.
Graph: statistics-prostate-cancer-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 25,855 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that year, 106,705 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 290,163 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
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.
