Cancer in South West Queensland

 

   

The CCQ region of South West Queensland covers nearly a quarter of Queensland (24% or 407,000 km2), including the most southern and south west areas of the State. In 2019 it had a population of almost 349,458, which was 6.9% of Queensland’s total population.
 

The major population centres are Toowoomba, Dalby and Charleville. Significant industries include agriculture, cotton farming, cattle grazing, natural resource extraction and tourism. The nearest radiation treatment centre for cancer patients in South West Queensland is in Toowoomba. Radiation facilities are also available in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

   

Region Characteristics (2019 data unless otherwise specified) South West Queensland Queensland
Percent of population who…
… are female 50.4% 50.6%
… are aged 50 years and over 24.4% 22.7%
… are Indigenous (2016) 6.3% 4.6%
… speak another language at home 5.5% 12.1%
… live in remote areas 4.9% 2.0%
… live within 2 hours drive of radiation treatment 81.8% 89.5%
… live more than 6 hours drive from radiation treatment 2.0% 1.8%
… live in disadvantaged areas 28.5% 17.7%
… live in affluent areas 8.5% 18.8%
All Cancers* South West Queensland Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 1306 1029 2335
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 2.1 1 in 2.7 1 in 2.4
Median age at diagnosis 69 yrs 67 yrs 68 yrs
Five-year relative survival 68% 73% 70%
Number of deaths per year 417 314 732
Percent deaths before age 80 67% 64% 66%
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 South West Queensland by sex, 2015 - 2019

Five-year relative survival in South West 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 South West Queensland

Colorectal Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 151 123 274
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 15 1 in 21 1 in 17
Median age at diagnosis 70 yrs 73 yrs 71 yrs
Five-year relative survival 69% 67% 68%
Number of deaths per year 48 45 93
Percent deaths before age 80 63% 52% 58%
Lung Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 107 74 181
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 20 1 in 28 1 in 24
Median age at diagnosis 72 yrs 70 yrs 71 yrs
Five-year relative survival 12% 22% 16%
Number of deaths per year 85 56 142
Percent deaths before age 80 75% 80% 77%
Melanoma Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 183 151 333
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 12 1 in 15 1 in 13
Median age at diagnosis 66 yrs 63 yrs 65 yrs
Five-year relative survival 92% 95% 93%
Number of deaths per year 17 9 26
Percent deaths before age 80 71% 59% 67%
Female Breast Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year . . . . . . 254 . . . . . .
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* . . . . . . 1 in 9 . . . . . .
Median age at diagnosis . . . . . . 64 yrs . . . . . .
Five-year relative survival . . . . . . 90% . . . . . .
Number of deaths per year . . . . . . 46 . . . . . .
Percent deaths before age 80 . . . . . . 69% . . . . . .
Prostate Cancer Male Female Persons
Number of new cases per year 350 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chance of diagnosis by age 80* 1 in 6 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Median age at diagnosis 69 yrs . . . . . . . . . . . .
Five-year relative survival 90% . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of deaths per year 55 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percent deaths before age 80 44% . . . . . . . . . . . .