Rare cancers are types of cancer that effect a very small number of people. This means that their diagnosis and treatment are often complex and require specialist care. It can be difficult to conduct research for these types of cancers because of the small numbers. However, one in five cancer diagnoses is for a rare cancer and they can have a substantial health impact on those affected.

This visual explainer provides insights into the impact of these rare cancer types among Australians, and how this impact differs depending on where people live.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer type diagnosed among Australian men. This visual explainer uses interactive images, maps and text to highlight how much the diagnosis and survival rates for prostate cancer vary by small geographic areas depending on where people live across in Australia.

It highlights the complexity of uncovering the reasons why these disparities exist. By reading this explainer, people will gain unique insights into how prostate cancer impacts Australian men differently on their geographic location.

This visual explainer shows how to use the Australian Cancer Atlas, a free online tool that maps cancers rates and survival across small areas in Australia. It guides users through how to choose a cancer type, read the color-coded maps, and understand patterns in the data. The Atlas helps people see where cancer is more of less common and how outcomes vary depending on where people live.

The explainer is useful for a wide range of people, including health professionals, researchers, policy makers, and community groups who want to better understand cancer trends. It’s also helpful for anyone in the general public who is interested in learning more about cancer in their local area or across the country.