Australians diagnosed with cancer are now living longer than ever before, according to a significant new health report. The biennial report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), published this week, indicates a substantial improvement in cancer survival rates over the past three decades, with the five-year relative survival rate climbing from 50% to 72%.
Despite this positive trend in survival, the report also brings to light a concerning increase in cancer diagnosis rates among younger Australians, specifically those in their 30s and 40s, between 2000 and 2025. While death rates have declined and survival has improved for these age groups, the rising incidence prompts questions about preventative health measures. An AIHW spokesperson, Louise Gates, noted that the improved survival reflects advancements in both diagnosis and treatment.
However, health researchers like Associate Professor Nicholas Chartres from the University of Sydney, argue that more emphasis is needed on cancer prevention. Chartres highlighted that while Australians are living longer with cancer, the quality of life post-diagnosis can be significantly impacted, both physically and psychologically. He suggested that approximately one-third of the nation's disease burden could be mitigated or prevented through the modification of risk and environmental factors, drawing parallels to successful tobacco regulation efforts.
Adding to the concerns, the AIHW report also revealed a worrying decline in childhood immunisation rates. Between September 2020 and September 2025, vaccination coverage fell for one-year-olds (from 95% to 92%), two-year-olds (from 93% to 90%), and five-year-olds (from 95% to 93%). This downturn has coincided with an increase in notifications for preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough, raising alarms among public health experts.
The report attributes this decline in part to practical challenges, such as booking appointments and associated costs, as well as growing mistrust in healthcare information and concerns over vaccine safety, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The decreases were notably more pronounced among First Nations children. Alongside these issues, the report also highlighted that Australia's population is ageing, with chronic conditions now accounting for the majority of deaths and disease burden, and that Australians generally have higher rates of obesity and alcohol consumption compared to the OECD average.
Mental health conditions are also identified as a growing issue, particularly affecting young Australians. While the report showcases some improvements in health outcomes for First Nations people, including reduced smoking and risky alcohol consumption, more than half of deaths among those under 75 between 2022 and 2024 were still from potentially avoidable causes.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)