News release

From: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

World Cancer Day - facts & figures

Key insights from the latest AIHW cancer data collection, along with links to key resources to support any reporting.

Australia's latest cancer insights – fast facts:

• In 2025, just under 1 million Australians had been diagnosed with cancer within the last 10 years – including 518,000 males and 452,000 females.
• Estimated cancer cases in 2025: 170,000, with an estimated 53,500 deaths (based on projections).
• Most common cancers in 2025: Males: 1. Prostate, 2. Melanoma, 3. Colorectal, 4. Lung, 5. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Females: 1. Breast, 2. Lung, 3. Melanoma, 4. Colorectal, 5. Uterine.
• Cancer rate increases are greatest for people in their 30s and 40s – around 12% increase across 2000–2025.

• Cancer survival continues to improve, with 5 year relative survival rising steadily over the past 3 decades – from 50% for 1987-1991 to 72% for 2017-2021.

Ovarian cancer – key statistics:

• In 2025, there are estimated to be 1,900 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed – over a quarter (27%) of all gynaecological cancers (based on projections).

• Ovarian cancer has lower survival (49%) compared to other gynaecological cancers.
• In 2025, there are estimated to be 1,100 deaths from ovarian cancer – almost half (46%) of all gynaecological cancer deaths (based on projections).
• Ovarian cancer 5-year relative survival rates are improving – from 31% in 1987–1991 to 49% in 2017–2021 (age-adjusted).

Cancer data resources
The AIHW publishes a comprehensive suite of cancer data, with major updates scheduled throughout 2026, including new insights on First Nations cancer statistics, geographic variation, melanoma and cervical cancer. Access the latest information via Cancer data in Australia.

For more information, please visit: aihw.gov.au.