Australians with cancer are living longer but diagnosis rates on the rise for younger people, report reveals

The five-year relative survival rate for people with cancer has increased from 50% to 72% in the span of 30 years, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s health report card shows. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

Australians with cancer are living longer than ever, a flagship health report has revealed, but falling childhood vaccination rates and increasing rates of measles, diphtheria and whooping cough have given experts cause for concern.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) biennial report card, released on Thursday, shows the five-year relative survival rate for people with cancer has increased from 50% to 72% in 30 years.