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Prostate cancer in Australia statistics

Explore statistics on prostate cancer, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.

24,217 Estimated number of new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2022
27% Estimated % of all new male cancer cases diagnosed in 2022
3,507 Estimated number of deaths from prostate cancer in 2022
13% Estimated % of all male deaths from cancer in 2022
96% Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2018)
89,005 Males living with prostate cancer at the end of 2017 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2013 to 2017)

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

In 2018, there were 21,853 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 24,217 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a male has a 1 in 6 (or 17%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among males, 2022
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among males, 2022

Notes

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 151 cases per 100,000 males. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 151 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 75–79 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2018
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2018

Notes

The number of new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed increased from 3,606 males in 1982 to 21,853 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 80 cases per 100,000 males in 1982 to 151 cases per 100,000 males in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, 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 2022.

In 2020, there were 3,568 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 3,507 deaths. In 2022, 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.

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among males, 2022
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among males, 2022

Notes

In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 24 cases per 100,000 males. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 22 cases per 100,000 males. The mortality rate for prostate cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2020
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for prostate cancer, 1982 to 2020

Notes

The number of deaths from prostate cancer increased from 1,370 males in 1982 to 3,568 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 35 cases per 100,000 males in 1982 to 22 deaths per 100,000 males in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer had a 96% chance 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 prostate cancer improved from 63% to 96%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for prostate cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for prostate cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018

Notes

Prevalence

At the end of 2017, there were 20,211 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that year, 89,005 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 240,245 people living who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.

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