Overall Improvement in Cancer Outcomes in Australia

Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlights significant progress in cancer survival rates across Australia over the past three decades. The report, titled "Cancer data in Australia," reveals a marked decline in cancer mortality and an increase in five-year relative survival rates for various cancers. Specifically, the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has risen from 50% in the late 1980s to 72% in the period between 2017 and 2021.

Contributing factors to these improvements include advancements in early detection, diagnostic techniques, and access to effective treatment options. The report shows that the age-standardized cancer mortality rate has decreased from 257 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000 to an estimated 194 deaths in 2025. For key cancers such as breast and prostate cancer—the most common among Australian women and men respectively—survival rates have shown notable increases. The five-year relative survival for breast cancer among women has improved from 75% to 93%, while for prostate cancer in men, it has climbed from 60% to 96%.

Alongside survival gains, mortality rates for prostate and breast cancer have decreased significantly. Prostate cancer death rates dropped from a peak of 63 to around 33 deaths per 100,000 males since 1994, and breast cancer death rates for females dropped from 38 to approximately 22 per 100,000 in 2025. Despite these positive trends, the report also notes an increase in cancer incidence among younger populations, particularly those aged 30–39 and 40–49, driven mainly by bowel, thyroid, kidney, and other cancers.

While cancer cases in younger adults are rising, survival rates in these age groups continue to improve. For instance, the mortality rate for people in their 40s has decreased from 60 to 37 deaths per 100,000; for those in their 30s, from 18 to 11 deaths per 100,000. Additionally, the report discusses detailed data on breast cancer tumor sizes and melanoma thickness, showing that early detection of smaller tumors and thinner melanomas correlates with better survival outcomes.

Looking ahead, further insights are planned to be released in 2026, including data on indigenous populations, remoteness areas, and socio-economic factors, helping to guide future cancer control strategies.