About gynaecological cancers
Gynaecological cancers are cancers of the female reproductive system.
Gynaecological cancers include cancers of the uterus (including endometrium), ovary, cervix, vulva, vagina, and placenta and gestational trophoblastic disease (pregnancy-related cancers).
As a group of cancers, gynaecological cancers are the fourth most common form of cancer for Australian women, and the fifth most common form of cancer causing premature death in Australian women.
The five most common cancers for females in Australia, 2003
Incidence (new cases)
Cancer type/site | No. of new cases | % of all new female cancer cases | Risk of diagnosis by age 75 |
Breast | 11 788 | 28.2 | 1 in 11 |
Colorectal | 5 679 | 13.6 | 1 in 27 |
Melanoma | 3 989 | 9.5 | 1 in 34 |
Gynaecological | 3 857 | 9.2 | 1 in 34 |
Lung | 2 968 | 7.1 | 1 in 49 |
Mortality (deaths)
Cancer type/site | No. of deaths | % of female cancer deaths |
Breast | 2 710 | 16.3 |
Lung | 2 482 | 14.9 |
Colorectal | 1 990 | 11.9 |
Unknown Primary Site | 1 548 | 9.3 |
Gynaecological | 1 415 | 8.5 |
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2006.Gynaecological cancers: incidence and mortality
- More than 3 800 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in Australia each year.
- Gynaecological cancers were responsible for 1415 female deaths in Australia in 2003, accounting for 8.5% of all female cancer deaths.
- The number of new cases and deaths from the most common gynaecological cancer in 2003 are listed in the table below.
Incidence
Cancer type/site | Incidence (and % of all female cancers)1 | Risk of diagnosis
by age 751 |
Uterus, body | 1,613 (3.9) | 1 in 74 |
Ovary | 1,084 (2.6) | 1 in 123 |
Cervix | 725 (1.7) | 1 in 191 |
Vulva | 220 (0.5) | 1 in 856 |
Uterus, unspecified | 85 (0.2) | 1 in 1 794 |
Vagina | 67 (0.2) | 1 in 2 715 |
Mortality
Cancer type/site | Mortality (and % of all female cancer deaths) 1 | 5 year survival rate2
(1992-97) |
Uterus, body | 216 (1.3) | 81.4% |
Ovary | 781 (4.7) | 42.0% |
Cervix | 239 (1.4) | 74.6% |
Vulva | 47 (0.3) | n/a |
Uterus, unspecified | 81 (0.5) | n/a |
Vagina | 29 (0.2) | n/a |
Sources: 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2006.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer Survival in Australia, 2001
More information:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Statistics and reports about gynaecological cancers.
HealthInsite – gynaecological conditions
Links to credible information about gynaecological cancers.
Ovarian Cancer Program
Information about ovarian cancer and a directory of facilities providing gynaecological oncology services.