Cancer in Australia

Cancer is common in Australia, but many cancers can be prevented or treated.

In 2020, doctors will diagnose almost 400 new cases of cancer each day in Australia. Chances are, you either know someone with cancer or have had it yourself.

Cancer accounts for around 3 in every 10 deaths in Australia. It has a major impact on individuals, families and the community.

Our efforts to fight the many types of cancer are paying off. In Australia:

  • the rate of new cancer diagnoses has been decreasing since 2008
  • the rate of cancer deaths has been decreasing since 1989
  • survival rates for cancer are among the best in the world
  • early screening programs mean more people are being diagnosed earlier, leading to better prevention, more successful treatment and longer lives.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has lots of reports and statistics about cancer in Australia.

Australia has screening programs for some types of cancer. Screening can detect cancer early, sometimes before it occurs, which means it can be treated sooner.

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