Breast statistics cancer in Australia

Australia has one of the best survival rates for breast cancer in the world. Although more people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, the mortality rate from breast cancer is going down.

The latest statistics were released in September 2024. They show that the chance of surviving at least five years (five year relative survival) has increased from 78 per cent in 1990-1994 to 92 per cent in 2016-2020.

Of course, many people live long and healthy lives well beyond this period.

Looking at statistics about other people who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer can be helpful. However, it is important to remember that these are overall population-based statistics and everyone’s situation is different.

Rates of breast cancer  

On average, 58 people every day in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Australia and accounts for approximately 28 per cent of all new cancers in Australian women.

In 2024, approximately 21,194 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer – 20,973 women and 221 men.

The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer over a lifetime is 1 in 7 for women and 1 in 556 for men.

In 2020, an estimated 10,553 people were living with metastatic breast cancer.

Survival rates

• The chance of surviving at least five years (‘five year relative survival’) was 92% in 2016-2020, up from 78% in 1990-1994.
• The chance of surviving at least 10 years after diagnosis is 87.4%.
• It is estimated that 3,272 women and 36 men will die from breast cancer in 2024.

Age and breast cancer

The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older.

• In women, the average age of first diagnosis of breast cancer is 62.
• 80% of new cases of breast cancer in women develop over the age of 50.
• Male breast cancer is more common in men aged 50 years and older.
• Breast cancer can occur in younger women. An estimated 1,008 women under 40 years were diagnosed in 2023.

The graph below shows the projected incidence of breast cancer by age for Australian women in 2024.

Reference

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2024. Cancer data in Australia. Cat. no. CAN 122. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed: September 2024.