Cancer touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians every year—and the numbers are only growing. In 2000, around 88,000 people were diagnosed with cancer. That number has since nearly doubled, with 169,000 cases occurring in 2024. By 2034, it is projected to surpass 200,000 [1]. This rise is largely due to Australia’s growing and aging population.
Behind these numbers are a few cancers that account for the majority of diagnoses. The most common (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) are:
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Melanoma of the skin
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer [2]
As it stands, cancer accounts for nearly one in three deaths nationwide, making it one of Australia’s most pressing health challenges.
Improving Survival Rates
The news is not all negative, however. Though cancer cases are growing, the survival rate for cancer in Australia has risen significantly over recent decades. In the early 1990s, only 55% of cancer patients survived for five years post-diagnosis, whereas today that figure stands at 71%. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, have particularly high survival rates. Between 2016 and 2020, the most common type of prostate cancer had a five-year survival rate of 96%. Breast cancer survival improved from 79% in the 1990s to 92% in recent years [1].
Unfortunately, the numbers are not as encouraging across all cancers. Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of just 26%. While lung cancer mortality rates have decreased among men, incidence rates among women have risen, leading to an increase in the proportion of female cancer deaths attributed to lung cancer [1].
Advances in Cancer Treatment and Technology
What is the cause of the clear and welcoming rise in Australia’s survival rates? Early detection programs – such as the “Slip Slop Slap” initiative promoting sun protection and the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program started in 1991 – have played an important part. Advances in cancer treatment and technology also play a critical role.
Cancer treatment in Australia has advanced rapidly, with new therapies offering more precise and personalized care. For example, targeted drugs and immunotherapy are changing outcomes for patients with certain types of breast, lung, and skin cancers. At the same time, improvements in surgical techniques—including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures—are helping patients recover faster and more safely.
Radiation therapy, a core part of cancer care for many patients, is also evolving. Advances like IMRT, SBRT, VMAT, and image-guided radiotherapy have improved precision and reduced harm to healthy tissue. Looking ahead, industry experts and healthcare bodies expect the role of radiotherapy in Australia to continue expanding [3].
As technology in radiation therapy advances, AI is beginning to support clinicians in streamlining radiotherapy planning—making treatment faster, more consistent, and ready to meet growing demand.
AI in Practice: MVision’s Contribution
MVision AI provides AI-driven tools to assist with key steps in the radiotherapy workflow. They are designed to promote safer, more consistent care while improving clinical efficiency. Independent evaluations and clinical studies conducted in multiple countries have reported positive results in using MVision AI’s tools to support efficiency, consistency, and overall quality in radiotherapy planning [4,5,6].
MVision AI’s portfolio includes:
- Contour+: AI-powered software for generating anatomical contours
- Guide: A platform for contouring training and education
- Verify: A tool for reviewing and comparing contour sets
- Dose+: Software for generating AI-based dose predictions (Note: Dose+ is not regulatory cleared in Australia and is not currently available for clinical use in this market.)
While the availability of these products depends on regulatory approvals in each market, a major milestone was reached in Australia in May 2024 when MVision AI’s Contour+ solution received market approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) [7]. This was followed in February 2025 by further approval of MVision AI’s MR-based segmentation models—Male Pelvis MR T2, Male Pelvis MR Dixon, and Brain MR—expanding the range of clinically approved tools within the Contour+ suite [8].
With these developments, MVision AI joins a broader effort to ensure that innovation translates into real-world clinical impact.
Moving forward with purpose
As Australia faces a steady rise in cancer diagnoses, the country’s healthcare system continues to respond with improved survival rates, earlier detection, and growing access to innovative treatment options. Ensuring that this progress reaches all patients—regardless of location or cancer type—will require continued investment in technology, training, and infrastructure. AI-powered tools like those developed by MVision AI represent one part of a broader effort to support clinicians in delivering timely, high-quality care. As demand increases, collaboration between public health initiatives, clinical expertise, and responsible innovation will be key to shaping the future of cancer care in Australia.
For more information about MVision’s products please visit MVision.ai or contact us at info@mvision.ai.
References:
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Cancer data in Australia, Overview of cancer in Australia, 2024[2] Career Council – Types of cancer
[3] Oncology News – RANZCR releases the Australian Radiation Oncology Facility Survey Report: Insights and trends from 2010-2020
[4] MVision AI – Research Results of MVision AI Contour+ Models’ Clinical Evaluation
[5] National Center for Biotechnology Information – A clinical evaluation of the performance of five commercial artificial intelligence contouring systems for radiotherapy – PMC
[6] MVision AI – NCCC Evaluation of MVision AI contouring software
[7] MVision AI – MVision AI receives TGA approval and market authorization for Australia
[8] MVision AI – MVision AI’s Contour+ MR Models Achieve TGA Market Approval in Australia