New national AIHW data shows declining cancer incidence and mortality among First Nations people, while highlighting ongoing disparities in low-survival cancers and the need for earlier diagnosis.
Cancer incidence and mortality rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are declining, according to the most comprehensive national cancer data released to date.
However First Nations Australians continue to experience a disproportionate burden of cancers with poor survival outcomes.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has significantly expanded its Cancer data in Australia report, using new analytical methods to overcome longstanding data limitations and provide detailed national estimates of cancer incidence, mortality and survival for First Nations people.
The release also includes more detailed reporting by remoteness, socioeconomic status and geographic region, offering a clearer picture of where inequities persist.
The report estimates that 3600 First Nations people were diagnosed with cancer and around 1200 died from the disease in 2025.
Lung cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer, followed by prostate, breast, bowel cancer and melanoma.
AIHW spokesperson Justin Harvey said the new data showed encouraging progress over the past decade.
“Overall cancer incidence and mortality rates for First Nations people have been declining over time,” Mr Harvey said.
After adjusting for population age differences, the cancer incidence rate fell from 342 cases per 100,000 people in 2011 to an estimated 315 per 100,000 in 2025. During the same period, the mortality rate declined from 148 to 105 deaths per 100,000 people.
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While both rates remain higher than those for non-Indigenous Australians, the reductions over time have been greater among First Nations people, suggesting improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment are beginning to narrow the gap.
Despite these gains, the report highlighted continuing disparities in cancer type and survival.
First Nations people were twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to be diagnosed with cancers associated with poor prognosis, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancers, where fewer than 30% of Australians survive five years after diagnosis.
Lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death among First Nations people, accounting for an estimated 26% of all cancer deaths, compared with 17% across the Australian population.
The AIHW said the National Lung Cancer Screening Program could play an important role in improving outcomes through earlier detection among people at highest risk, potentially increasing access to more effective treatment.
The expanded dataset also identifies important differences in outcomes for other tumour types.
Among women with breast cancer, five-year survival remained lower for First Nations women overall. However, the survival gap narrows considerably when tumour size at diagnosis is taken into account, suggesting later-stage diagnosis was a significant contributor to poorer outcomes.
Cervical cancer also continues to have a disproportionate impact. It is estimated to be the seventh leading cause of cancer death among First Nations women, compared with 20th among Australian women overall.
Pancreatic cancer remained one of the deadliest malignancies. During 2017-2021, five-year relative survival for First Nations people with pancreatic cancer was 8.8%, less than half the 19% reported for non-Indigenous Australians.
Mr Harvey said the expanded reporting would support more targeted policy and service planning by providing a clearer understanding of where cancer disparities are greatest.
“This is the most comprehensive cancer data available for First Nations people to date,”’ said Mr Harvey.
“With a more complete picture of cancer outcomes, alongside more detailed information about geography and socioeconomic status, it becomes possible to identify where disparities are greatest and where targeted action can make the biggest difference.”
Read the full report here.