Data from the NSW Cancer Institute shows cancer deaths have fallen by 14 per cent in men and eight per cent in women over the past 10 years.
But while the overall death rate has dropped, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer has increased, with new cases predicted to reach 38,807 this year.
According to the annual Cancer Incidence and Mortality report, the trend can be put down to a number of factors such as the ageing population, improvements in detection techniques and lifestyle factors.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in NSW, accounting for 20 per cent of all cases, followed by bowel cancer.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death.
The report also showed a rise in melanoma cases across almost all age groups, up 18.5 per cent in males and 16.7 in females.
NSW Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Jodi McKay said the healthy living message was clear.
"You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by doing simple things such as not smoking, eating healthy food, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising, protecting yourself from the sun and having regular cancer screening," she said.
McKay also launched a $2 million melanoma awareness campaign on Thursday.
The Dark Side of Tanning ad campaign targets young men after a successful campaign warning young women of the dangers of melanoma ran last summer.
She said the ads illustrated how a melanoma no deeper than a millimetre could spread throughout the body.
"Melanoma is responsible for 30 per cent of all cancers in young people aged 15 to 30 in NSW but it's entirely preventable," she said.
"Young people, particularly young men, love life in our great outdoors.
"Our message is to be sun smart and if you haven't got sunscreen on keep your shirt on."
