An estimated 209,000 people will be living with cancer by the next decade

New data released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has revealed that in 2034, there will be an estimated 209,000 Australians diagnosed with cancer, a 23% increase from 2024.

Danielle Spence, Chair of Cancer Council’s Supportive Care Committee says as the number of people being diagnosed increases, we need to ensure we’re supporting all Australians living with cancer.

“For the 169,500 people who will be diagnosed with and living with cancer this year, it’s important that they have access to high quality support services. While Australia has some of the best cancer care internationally, equitable access to cancer care and support is essential to continuing to improve outcomes for people already affected by cancer and those who may be diagnosed in years to come.”

“We have come a long way from the 1990s, where survival rates, the percent of people who survive cancer for at least five years, were just 55% - survival rates are over 70% today. It’s also encouraging to see decreasing mortality rates.”

According to the AIHW, cancer remains more common among older Australians, with an estimated 88% of all cancers diagnosed to be in people aged 50 and over this year.

Anita Dessaix, Chair of Cancer Council’s Public Health Committee, says that we need to continue to reduce the impact of cancer through effective prevention and early detection measures, and adapt these cancer control efforts to new cancer trends to save more lives.

“Australia’s cancer outcomes are among the best in the world. Today’s data shows we’ve saved 16,300 lives from cancer death in the past two decades nationally. We’ve seen improved outcomes through screening programs, tobacco control policies and measures to reduce occupational and environmental risk factors.

“Cancer screening has played a huge role in the early detection of cancer. The National Cervical Screening Program, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and BreastScreen Australia have resulted in tens of thousands of cancers being identified early and treated successfully, and survival rates for these cancer types have been improving.

According to the AIHW, cancer incidences, the number of new cancer cases occurring, among younger people have increased, however only almost 12% of all cancer cases diagnosed this year will be in Australians under the age of 50. Mortality rates have also been decreasing for people in their thirties and forties.

Ms Dessaix says, “While there has been an increase in overall cancer cases, including among younger people, new evidence and technology advancements have created better ways to detect and treat cancer earlier, meaning more people are being diagnosed earlier.

“As we work towards the future of reducing the impact of cancer, we look forward to seeing continued funding and action under the Australian Cancer Plan to improve cancer outcomes and support Australians living with cancer. This includes continued action into cancer control to prevent more cancers across the community, increase participation in cancer screening programs, find new ways to systematically detect cancer early, control risk factors, and improve treatment outcomes at all stages.”