Lung cancer in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Lung cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C33 (Malignant neoplasm of trachea) and C34 (Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung).
Estimated number of new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in 2021
13,810 = 7,460 males + 6,350 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
9.2%
Estimated number of deaths from lung cancer in 2021
8,693 = 4,998 males + 3,695 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
17.7%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
20%
People living with lung cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
20,200
New cases
Lung cancer was the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017. It is estimated that it will remain the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2021.
In 2017, there were 12,585 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Australia (7,058 males and 5,527 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 13,810 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (7,460 males and 6,350 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 20 (or 4.9%) risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 19 or 5.3% for males and 1 in 22 or 4.5% 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 43 cases per 100,000 persons (52 for males and 36 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 43 cases per 100,000 persons (49 for males and 37 for females). The incidence rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for lung 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 lung 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 lung cancer diagnosed increased from 5,948 (4,688 males and 1,260 females) in 1982 to 12,585 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 47 cases per 100,000 persons (85 for males and 18 for females) in 1982 to 43 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the most common cause of death from cancer in 2021.
In 2019, there were 8,739 deaths from lung cancer in Australia (5,139 males and 3,600 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 8,693 deaths (4,998 males and 3,695 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 33 (or 3.0%) risk of dying from lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 29 or 3.5% for males and 1 in 39 or 2.6% 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 28 deaths per 100,000 persons (36 for males and 22 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 27 deaths per 100,000 persons (33 for males and 21 for females). The mortality rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for lung 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 lung 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 lung cancer increased from 5,288 (4,227 males and 1,061 females) in 1982 to 8,739 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 42 deaths per 100,000 persons (79 for males and 15 for females) in 1982 to 28 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with lung cancer had a 20 % chance (17% for males and 25% 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 lung cancer improved from 10% to 20%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for lung 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 lung 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 8,197 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer that year, 20,200 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 31,827 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Lung 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.