Cervical cancer in Australia statistics

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

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

Estimatednumber of new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in 2022

942 females

Estimated % of all new female cancer cases diagnosed in 2022

1.3%

Estimated number of deaths from cervical cancer in 2022

222 females

Estimated % of all female deaths from cancer in 2022

1.0%

Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2014–2018)

74%

Females living with cervical cancer at the end of 2017 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2013 to 2017)

3,405

New cases

In 2018, there were 936 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 942 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 180 (or 0.56%) risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2022

Notes

Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 7.3 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 7.1 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for cervical cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 45–49 and then decreasing.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for cervical cancer, 1982 to 2018

Notes

Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

The number of new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed decreased from 968 in 1982 to 936 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 7.4 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 3.7 cases per 100,000 females in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, there were 209 deaths from cervical cancer in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 222 deaths. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 734 (or 0.14%) risk of dying from cervical cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2022

Notes

Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 1.5 per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will remain at 1.5 per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for cervical cancer is expected to increase with age. Mortality rates for CERVICAL CANCER

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for cervical cancer, 1982 to 2020

Notes

Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

The number of deaths from cervical cancer decreased from 346 in 1982 to 209 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 5.2 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 1.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2020.

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with cervical cancer had a 74% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for cervical cancer remained similar from 72% to 74%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for cervical cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014-2018

Notes

Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival-diagnosis)

Prevalence

At the end of 2017, there were 770 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer that year, 3,405 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 17,347 people living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.