NSW Cancer Survival Rates Reach Record High
01 Dec 2025
Cancer survival rates in NSW are at an all-time high, with 73% of people surviving at least five years after a cancer diagnosis, up from 71% in the previous period, according to the latest Cancer in NSW Report 2025 from the Cancer Institute NSW.
The report underscores NSW's collaboration and technological advancements, including immunotherapy, genomics, diagnostics, digital health, and artificial intelligence, that are driving new approaches in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Overall incidence rates are stabilizing, while mortality rates continue to fall. The greatest decreases in deaths over the past decade have been in bowel and lung cancers.
However, the report also highlights ongoing disparities: Aboriginal individuals are twice as likely to die from cancer compared with non-Aboriginal people, and those with the lowest socioeconomic status have a 50% increased risk of death compared to those from high socioeconomic status.
These include efforts to improve outcomes, such as increasing access to clinical trials-nearly 3,300 people were enrolled in 2024–25 compared with 2,571 the previous year-with the number of unique trials increasing from 795 to 858. Other initiatives include:
$21 million invested in research on prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship
15 campaigns on public health, comprising anti-vaping and anti-tobacco programs, cancer screenings, and skin cancer prevention
Introduction of machine reading technology to assist radiologists in mammography interpretation and breast density reporting
The NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027 continues to guide the state’s cancer control strategy, supported by more than 80 government, non-government and community organisations. The NSW Government invests around $180 million annually to improve cancer outcomes across the state.
Key takeaways from the report:
- 5-year cancer survival rate: 73% (up from 71%)
- Expected cancer diagnoses in 2025: 55,719
- Expected cancer deaths in 2025: 16,241
- 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer by age 85
Residents in regional and rural areas have an 11% increased risk of diagnosis and almost a 20% increased risk of death compared to city residents.
Aboriginal people are 1.4 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2 times more likely to die from cancer than non-Aboriginal people.
People who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are 1.5 times more likely to die from cancer compared to the least disadvantaged.
Most common cancers: prostate, breast, melanoma, bowel, lung
Most common causes of cancer death include lung, bowel, pancreatic, prostate, and breast.
Slight rise in the incidence of cancer in those under 50, rates 6% higher in 2023 than in 2014
Expected diagnoses in children 0–14 years: 269; adolescents and young adults 15–24 years: 392
Health Minister Ryan Park said:
"Cancer is a disease that affects us all, but our survival rates are now amongst the world's best. The population is growing, and the demand for cancer care will continue to rise. We remain committed to improving outcomes in all communities."
NSW Chief Cancer Officer Professor Tracey O'Brien AM added:
"NSW leads the world in cancer outcomes, but few are untouched by this disease. This report reflects the experiences of people living with cancer and the world-leading teams working to change its future."
News Source: NSW Health
