Gynaecological cancers incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C51 (Malignant neoplasm of vulva), C52 (Malignant neoplasm of vagina), C53 (Malignant neoplasm of cervix), C54 (Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri), C55 (Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified), C56 (Malignant neoplasm of ovary), C57 (Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified female genital organs) and C58 (Malignant neoplasm of placenta).

New cases

In 2018, there were 6,188 new cases of gynaecological cancers diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 6,777 new cases of gynaecological cancers will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 23 (or 4.4%) risk of being diagnosed with a gynaecological 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 42 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 43 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for gynaecological cancers is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for gynaecological cancers, 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 gynaecological cancers 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 gynaecological cancers diagnosed increased from 2,953 in 1982 to 6,188 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained similar from 44 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 42 cases per 100,000 females in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, there were 1,915 deaths from gynaecological cancers in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 2,111 deaths. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 73 (or 1.4%) risk of dying from a gynaecological 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 11 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 12 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for gynaecological cancers is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for gynaecological cancers, 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 gynaecological cancers 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 gynaecological cancers increased from 1,235 in 1982 to 1,915 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 19 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 11 deaths per 100,000 females in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with gynaecological cancers had a 71% 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 gynaecological cancers improved from 64% to 71%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for gynaecological cancers, 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 gynaecological cancers 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 5,321 people living who had been diagnosed with gynaecological cancers that year, 21,687 people living who had been diagnosed with gynaecological cancers in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 68,346 people living who had been diagnosed with gynaecological cancers in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information, see Gynaecological cancers 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.