Each year, about 345,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. Of the other 80,000 new diagnoses, about 34,000 people will die. However, in the last 100 years the cure rate for cancer has improved from zero in 1900 to more than half of those newly diagnosed in 2000. Australia has the highest incidence rates for melanoma and NMSC in the world. Interventions such as improved screening techniques and frequency have led to improvements in the Cancer NHPA, as have reductions in rates of smoking and exposure to the sun, and improvements in cancer treatment.
Cancer is more common in men than in women.
There is a large variation in incidence rates for melanoma between States and Territories, with Queensland showing the largest rate for both sexes. However, incidence rates for cancer are lower among residents of rural and remote areas than those in metropolitan areas. Injury is the principal cause of death among Australians aged under 45 years, a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and permanent disability, and a major source of health care costs. Significant proportions of the direct health costs are associated with road transport-related accidents. Males, Indigenous Australians and rural dwelling residents are all at increased risk of injury.