Stomach cancer statistics

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

Stomach cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C16 (Malignant neoplasm of stomach).

Estimated number of new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in 2023

2,576 = male icon 1,647 males + female icon 929 females

Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2023

1.6%

Estimated number of deaths from stomach cancer in 2023

1,153 = male icon 750 males + female icon 403 females

Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2023

2.2%

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

38%

People living with stomach cancer at the end of 2018 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2014 to 2018)

5,560

New cases

In 2019, there were 2,439 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,548 males and 891 females). In 2023, it is estimated that 2,576 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,647 males and 929 females). In 2023, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 117 (or 0.85%) risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 91 or 1.1% for males and 1 in 164 or 0.61% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2023

Notes 

In 2019, the age-standardised incidence rate was 10 cases per 100,000 persons (14 for males and 7.1 for females). In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 9.8 cases per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 6.7 for females). The incidence rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for stomach cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex

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 stomach 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 stomach cancer diagnosed increased from 1,824 (1,152 males and 672 females) in 1982 to 2,439 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 21 cases per 100,000 persons (30 for males and 14 for females) in 1982 to 10 cases per 100,000 in 2019.

Deaths 

In 2021, there were 1,208 deaths from stomach cancer in Australia (764 males and 444 females). In 2023, it is estimated that there will be 1,153 deaths (750 males and 403 females). In 2023, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 280 (or 0.36%) risk of dying from stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 213 or 0.47% for males and 1 in 411 or 0.24% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2023

Notes 

In 2021, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.6 for males and 3.3 for females). In 2023, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.2 for males and 2.8 for females). The mortality rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for stomach cancer cancer, 1982 to 2021, by sex

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 stomach 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 stomach cancer increased from 1,398 (874 males and 524 females) in 1982 to 1,182 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 12 deaths per 100,000 persons (18 for males and 8.1 for females) in 1982 to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2015–2019, individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer had a 38% chance (36% for males and 41% for females) 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 stomach cancer increased from 21% to 38%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for stomach cancer, 1990–1994 to 2015–2019, by sex

Notes: 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2018, there were 1,818 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer that year, 5,560 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2014 to 2018) and 12,553 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 37 years (from 1982 to 2018).

For more information, see Stomach 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.