Cervical cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C53 (Malignant neoplasm of cervix).

New cases

In 2020, there were 982 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that 1,030 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 175 (or 0.57%) risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2024

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables.
• More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section.

In 2020, the age-standardised incidence rate was 7.6 cases per 100,000 females. In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 7.4 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for cervical cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 35–39 and then decreasing.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for cervical cancer, 1982 to 2020

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables.
• More information about incidence rates for cervical cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section.

The number of new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed increased from 967 in 1982 to 982 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 15.5 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 7.6 cases per 100,000 females in 2020.

Deaths

In 2022, there were 269 deaths from cervical cancer in Australia. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 243 deaths. In 2024, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 710 (or 0.14%) risk of dying from cervical cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2024

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables.
• More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section.

In 2022, the age-standardised mortality rate was 2.0 per 100,000 females. In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 1.7 per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for cervical cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for cervical cancer, 1982 to 2022

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables.
• More information about mortality rates for cervical cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section.

The number of deaths from cervical cancer decreased from 346 in 1982 to 269 in 2022. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 6.2 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 2.0 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.

Survival

In 2016–2020, individuals diagnosed with cervical cancer had a 75.5% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for cervical cancer increased from 72.9% to 75.5%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for cervical cancer, 1991–1995 to 2016–2020

Notes:

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2024 web report and supplementary data tables.
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for cervical cancer over time, by age, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section.

Prevalence

At the end of 2020, there were 920 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer that year, 3,787 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2016 to 2020), and 18,772 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 39 years (from 1982 to 2020)

For more information, see Cervical cancer on the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.