Cancer
Between 2002 and 2006, for residents in the North Coast Area (NCA) there were a total of 15,708 new cases of cancer diagnosed (average 3,142 per year) and 5,621 cancer deaths (average 1,124 per year).
Cancer Incidence
Persons
In the period between 2002 and 2006, the age-adjusted incidence rate for all cancers combined in North Coast residents (514.8 per 100,000) was significantly higher than the NSW average (472.7 per 100,000).
In 2006, the most common new cancers for NCA residents were cancers of the prostate (17.2%), melanoma of the skin (13.3%), breast (10.6%), lung (9.7%) and large bowel (9.4%).
Males
During 2002 to 2006, there were 8,968 new cases of cancer diagnosed (average 1,794 per year) in NCA males. The age-adjusted incidence rate for all cancers combined was 612.2 per 100,000 for NCA males, which was significantly higher than the NSW average (571.3 per 100,000).
In 2006, four cancers accounted for 61% of new cancers cases in NCA males. They were cancers of the prostate (29.0%), melanoma of skin (13.9%), lung cancer (10.2%) and large bowel (7.9%).
Females
In the period 2002 to 2006, there were 6,740 new cases of cancer diagnosed (average 1,348 per year) in NCA females. They were also significantly higher than the NSW average (396.0 per 100,000) with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 432.3 per 100,000 for all cancers combined.
In 2006, the top four cancers, that accounted for 59% of new cancers cases in NCA females, were cancers of the breast (25.8%), melanoma of skin (12.6%), large bowel (11.5%), and lung cancer (9.0%).
By local government area
Between 2002 and 2006, incidence rates for all cancers combined were significantly higher than the NSW average (470.5 per 100,000) in residents of the Ballina (514.6 per 100,000), Bellingen (575.3 per 100,000), Coffs Harbour (514.6 per 100,000), Grafton (576.0 per 100,000), Hastings (498.9 per 100,000), Kempsey (513.4 per 100,000), Maclean (563.2 per 100,000), and Tweed (533.6 per 100,000) local government areas. Incidence rates were significantly lower than the state average in persons residing in the Copmanhurst (324.4 per 100,000) local government area.
Deaths
Persons
In the period between 2002 and 2006, the age-adjusted death rates for all cancers combined was 173.9 per 100,000 for NCA residents, which was similar to the NSW average (176.8 per 100,000).
In 2006, the most common causes of cancer death for NCA residents were lung (21.4%), prostate (9.9%), large bowel (7.9%), cancer at indefinite & unspecified site (6.0%), and breast (5.5%).
Males
During 2002 to 2006, there were 3,310 cancer deaths in NCA males (average 662 deaths per year). The age-adjusted death rates for NCA males for all cancers combined was 223.3 per 100,000, which was similar to the NSW average (225.5 per 100,000).
In 2006, lung (22.0%), prostate (16.6%) and large bowel cancer (6.1%) accounted for 45% of cancer deaths in NCA males.
Females
In the period 2002 and 2006, there were 2,311 cancer deaths of NCA females (average 462 deaths per year). As with NCA males, the death rate for NCA females were also similar to the NSW average (140.9 per 100,000) with an age-adjusted death rate of 133.5 per 100,000 for all cancers combined.
In 2006, the most common cancers causing death in NCA females were cancers of the lung (20.5%), breast (13.8%), and large bowel (10.8%), which accounted for 45% of all cancer deaths.
By local government area
Between 2002 and 2006, death rates for all cancers combined were significantly higher than the NSW average (176.0 per 100,000) in residents of the Bellingen (212.9 per 100,000), Grafton (234.6 per 100,000), and Kempsey (208.4 per 100,000) local government areas. Death rates were significantly lower than the state average in persons residing in the Ballina (149.9 per 100,000), Copmanhurst (75.5 per 100,000), and Tweed (146.2 per 100,000) local government areas.
Specific Cancers
The following links compare the NCA with the NSW average and other Area Health Services for specific types of cancer ;
- Lung cancer new cases by health area and sex
- Colorectal cancer new cases by health area and sex
- Melanoma new cases by health area and sex
- Prostate cancer new cases by health area and sex
- Breast cancer new cases and screening by health area and sex
- Cervical cancer new cases and screening by health area and sex
Cancer screening
Additional information
- The Health of the people of New South Wales : Report of the Chief Health Officer - Cancer
- The Cancer Council NSW - Cancer in NSW Incidence and Mortality 2005
- The Cancer Council NSW - Cancer Survival for Far North Coast NSW, 1994 to 2000
- Cancer Institute NSW
- NSW Cancer Registry - Statistical reporting module
- Australia's health 2008 - Chapter 5. Diseases and injury
- NSW Cervical Screening Program - Data Map
- Cervical Cancer Screening in NSW - Annual Statistics Report 2005
| Suggested citation of this publication: | Population Health, Planning and Performance Directorate, North Coast Area Health Profile. North Coast Area Health Service, Lismore. Available at: . Accessed (insert date of access). |
| Produced by: | Public Health Unit (Population Health, Planning and Performance Directorate), North Coast Area Health Service. |