Breast cancer in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Breast cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C50 (Malignant neoplasm of breast).
Estimated number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2021
20,030 = 164 males + 19,866 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
13%
Estimated number of deaths from breast cancer in 2021
3,138 = 36 males + 3,102 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
6%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
92%
People living with breast cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
77,236
New cases
In 2017, breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females. It is estimated that it will become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2021 among persons overall and females.
In 2017, there were 17,725 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia (137 males and 17,589 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 20,030 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (164 males and 19,866 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 15 (or 6.7%) risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 8 or 13% for females and 1 in 829 or 0.12% for males).
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 65 cases per 100,000 persons (1.0 for males and 125 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 68 cases per 100,000 persons (1.1 for males and 130 for females). The incidence rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age for both males and females, peaking at age group 70–74 years for females.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for breast cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for breast 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 breast cancer diagnosed increased from 5,377 (61 males and 5,316 females) in 1982 to 17,725 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 44 cases per 100,000 persons (1.2 for males and 81 for females) in 1982 to 65 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, breast cancer was the fourth most common cause of cancer death in Australia and the second most common cause of death from cancer among females. In 2021, it is estimated that it will be the fifth most common cause of death from cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer among females.
In 2019, there were 3,243 deaths from breast cancer in Australia (31 males and 3,212 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 3,138 deaths (36 males and 3,102 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 104 (or 0.97%) risk of dying from breast cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 52 or 1.9% for females and 1 in 3,863 or 0.03% for males).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 11 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.2 for males and 20 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 9.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.2 for males and 18 for females). The mortality rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age for females, and among males be higher for those aged 80 years or over.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for breast 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 breast 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 breast cancer increased from 2,004 (17 males and 1,987 females) in 1982 to 3,243 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.4 for males and 30 for females) in 1982 to 11 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer had a 92% chance (86% for males and 92% 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 breast cancer improved from 76% to 92%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for breast 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 female breast 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 17,216 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer that year, 77,236 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 233,294 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Breast 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.