Cancer in Far North Queensland

 

   

The CCQ region of Far North Queensland covers nearly a quarter of Queensland (22% or 387,000 km2), including the most northern and north-west areas of the state. In 2019 it had a population of 294,332, which was 5.8% of Queensland’s total population.
 

The major population centres are Cairns, Innisfail and Tully, while Cooktown and Weipa are important tourist and industrial centres in the region. The majority of Queensland’s discrete Indigenous communities, for example Bamaga, are located in Far North Queensland.The nearest radiation treatment centre for cancer patients in Far North Queensland is Cairns. There is also a radiotherapy facility located in Townsville.

   

Region Characteristics (2019 data unless otherwise specified) Far North Queensland Queensland
Percent of population who…
… are female 50.0% 50.6%
… are aged 50 years and over 24.7% 22.7%
… are Indigenous (2016) 18.1% 4.6%
… speak another language at home 14.8% 12.1%
… live in remote areas 11.6% 2.0%
… live within 2 hours drive of radiation treatment 84.3% 89.5%
… live more than 6 hours drive from radiation treatment 11.3% 1.8%
… live in disadvantaged areas 29.9% 17.7%
… live in affluent areas 8.1% 18.8%
All Cancers* Far North Queensland Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 1080 733 1813
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 2.0 1 in 2.7 1 in 2.3
Median age at diagnosis 67 yrs 64 yrs 66 yrs
Five-year relative survival 65% 71% 68%
Number of deaths per year 341 213 555
Percent deaths before age 80 74% 71% 72%
1 Persons data may not equal sum of males and females due to rounding.
2 Cancers with a lifetime risk above 1 in 5 the value provided to one decimal point.

The 10 most common cancers diagnosed in Far North Queensland by sex, 2015 - 2019

Five-year relative survival in Far North Queensland by type of cancer and sex, 2015 - 2019

Note: Relative survival calculated using the period method, for persons aged 0-89 years at diagnosis. Data are for “at risk” cases in the period 2015-2019

Facts about the most common cancers in Far North Queensland

Colorectal Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 97 79 176
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 18 1 in 22 1 in 20
Median age at diagnosis 69 yrs 70 yrs 69 yrs
Five-year relative survival 62% 71% 66%
Number of deaths per year 39 24 63
Percent deaths before age 80 69% 55% 63%
Lung Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 111 68 179
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 14 1 in 22 1 in 17
Median age at diagnosis 69 yrs 68 yrs 68 yrs
Five-year relative survival 15% 24% 18%
Number of deaths per year 79 41 120
Percent deaths before age 80 80% 79% 79%
Melanoma Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 140 79 219
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 12 1 in 21 1 in 15
Median age at diagnosis 66 yrs 60 yrs 64 yrs
Five-year relative survival 91% 97% 93%
Number of deaths per year 11 6 17
Percent deaths before age 80 72% 68% 71%
Female Breast Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year . . . . . . 204 . . . . . .
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* . . . . . . 1 in 8 . . . . . .
Median age at diagnosis . . . . . . 61 yrs . . . . . .
Five-year relative survival . . . . . . 89% . . . . . .
Number of deaths per year . . . . . . 32 . . . . . .
Percent deaths before age 80 . . . . . . 77% . . . . . .
Prostate Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 302 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 5 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Median age at diagnosis 68 yrs . . . . . . . . . . . .
Five-year relative survival 89% . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of deaths per year 42 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percent deaths before age 80 55% . . . . . . . . . . . .