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 2020. It is estimated that it will remain the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2024.
In 2020, there were 23,350 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that 26,368 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 6 (or 18%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 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 2020, the age-standardised incidence rate was 95 cases per 100,000 males. In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 97 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age and is highest for those aged 75–79 years.
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for prostate cancer over time, by age, 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 prostate cancer diagnosed increased from 3,604 males in 1982 to 23,350 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 109 cases per 100,000 males in 1982 to 198 cases per 100,000 males in 2020.
Deaths
In 2022, 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 2024. In 2022, prostate cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death for Australian men, and is estimated to remain the second most common cause of cancer death for Australian men in 2024.
In 2022, there were 3,799 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 3,901 deaths. In 2024, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 53 (or 1.9%) risk of dying from prostate cancer by the age of 85.
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 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 2022, the age-standardised mortality rate was 249 deaths per 100,000 males. In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 240 deaths per 100,000 males. The mortality rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age.
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for prostate cancer over time, by age, 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 prostate cancer increased from 1,370 males in 1982 to 3,798 in 2022. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 48 deaths per 100,000 males in 1982 to 34 deaths per 100,000 males in 2022.
Survival
In 2016–2020, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 96% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 70% to 96%.
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for prostate cancer over time, by age, 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-diagnosis)
Prevalence
At the end of 2020, there were 22,750 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that year, 99,845 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2016 to 2020) and 275,442 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 39 years (from 1982 to 2020).
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.
