Ovarian cancer statistics in Australia

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The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Ovarian cancer statistics for mortality (deaths) incorporate ICD-10 cancer code C56 (Malignant neoplasm of ovary) only. For incidence, survival and prevalence, statistics also include ICD-10 cancer codes C57.0, C57.8 (with histologies 8441, 8460, 8461) for serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube.

Estimated number of new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed in 2023

Female icon PNG 1,786 females

Estimated % of all new cancers in females diagnosed in 2023

2.4%

Estimated number of deaths from ovarian cancer in 2023

Female icon PNG 1,050 females

Estimated % of all female deaths from cancer in 2023

4.6%

Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2015–2019)

49%

People living with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) at the end of 2018 (diagnosed in the 5-year period 2014 to 2018)

5,173

New cases

In 2019, there were 1,625 new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed in Australia. In 2023, it is estimated that 1,786 new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2023, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 87 (or 1.2%) risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2023

Notes 

  • Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2023 web report and supplementary data tables
  • More information about incidence rates for ovarian cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
  • *Ovarian cancer includes serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube. 

In 2019, the age-standardised incidence rate was 13 cases per 100,000 females. In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 13 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube), 1982 to 2019

Notes 

  • Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2023 web report and supplementary data tables 

  • Age standardised rates are standardised to the 2023 Australian Standard Population

  • More information about incidence rates for ovarian cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

The number of new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed increased from 837 females in 1982 to 1,625 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 15 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 13 cases per 100,000 in 2019.

Deaths 

In 2021, there were 1,053 deaths from ovarian cancer in Australia. In 2023, it is estimated that there will be 1,050 deaths. In 2023, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 148 (or 0.68%) risk of dying from ovarian cancer by the age of 85. 

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2023

Notes 

In 2021, the age-standardised mortality rate was 7.9 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 7.5 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for ovarian cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for ovarian cancer, 1982 to 2021

Notes 

  • Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2023 web report and supplementary data tables

  • Age standardised rates are standardised to the 2023 Australian Standard Population

  • More information about mortality rates for ovarian cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

The number of deaths from ovarian cancer increased from 587 females in 1982 to 1,053 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 10.8 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 7.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2021. 

Survival 

In 2015–2019, individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) had a 49% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1990–1994 and 2015–2019, five-year relative survival for ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) increased from 39% to 49%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, 1990–1994 to 2015–2019

Notes 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2018, there were 1,453 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) that year, 5,173 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 5 years (from 2014 to 2018) and 13,658 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2018).

For more information, see Ovarian 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.