In the Northern Territory (NT) the Northern Territory Cancer Registry (NTCR) collects data
about NT residents who are either diagnosed with cancer or die from cancer. The NTCR
analyses and reports the data to provide information for health service planning and delivery,
as well as for informing the general public.
In this report summary statistics are presented on all new cases of cancer diagnosed among
NT residents during the 15-year period 1991–2005 and on all cancer deaths during the 13-
year period 1991–2003. Equivalent summary statistics for the Australian population are
included for comparative purposes. Additionally, for the first time graphical representation of
trends in NT cancer incidence and mortality rates are provided for each cancer site. To allow
comparison of incidence rates and deaths rates within the NT population and with the wider
Australian population, the rates were adjusted for the increase in total populations and for
the changing age profile within the populations.