Bladder cancer statistics in Australia
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Bladder cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C67 (Malignant neoplasm of bladder).
Estimated number of new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in 2021
3,066 = 2,369 males + 697 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
2.0 %
Estimated number of deaths from bladder cancer in 2021
1,020 = 721 males + 299 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
2.1 %
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
55%
People living with bladder cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
8,165
New cases
In 2017, there were 2,777 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,140 males and 637 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 3,066 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (2,369 males and 697 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 97 (or 1.0%) risk of being diagnosed with bladder cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 63 or 1.6% for males and 1 in 222 or 0.45% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 9.4 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 3.9 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 9.3 cases per 100,000 persons (16 for males and 3.9 for females). The incidence rate for bladder cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for bladder cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed increased from 2,146 (1,569 males and 577 females) in 1982 to 2,777 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 18 cases per 100,000 persons (31 for males and 8.6 for females) in 1982 to 9.4 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 1,050 deaths from bladder cancer in Australia (760 males and 290 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,020 deaths (721 males and 299 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 378 (or 0.26%) risk of dying from bladder cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 262 or 0.38% for males and 1 in 690 or 0.15% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.3 for males and 1.6 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 2.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.7 for males and 1.5 for females). The mortality rate for bladder cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for bladder cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from bladder cancer increased from 603 (428 males and 175 females) in 1982 to 1,050 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (9.8 for males and 2.7 for females) in 1982 to 3.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer had a 55% chance (58% for males and 48% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for bladder cancer decreased from 66% to 55%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for bladder cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for bladder cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 2,365 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer that year, 8,165 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 19,627 people living who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Bladder 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.