Cancer survival is defined by the percentage of people still alive for a set period of time after being diagnosed with cancer. Five-year survival is the most common definition and refers to the chance of living for five years or more after being diagnosed. Survival improves when cancers are detected early – before they spread to other parts of the body – and when there are improvements in treatment that help people with cancer live longer.1
This section provides a detailed summary of cancer survival five years following diagnosis in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Data are provided for an overall picture. Survival for an individual may be higher or lower depending on various factors.