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

New cases

In 2016, there were 2,197 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,462 males and 735 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 2,246 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,514 males and 732 females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 7.9 cases per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 4.9 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 7.3 cases per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 4.5 for females). The incidence rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for stomach cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed increased from 1,825 (1,153 males and 672 females) in 1982 to 2,197 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 16 cases per 100,000 persons (23 for males and 10 for females) in 1982 to 7.9 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths 

In 2018, there were 1,138 deaths from stomach cancer in Australia (712 males and 426 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,140 deaths (705 males and 435 females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.1 for males and 2.6 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.8 for males and 2.6 for females). The mortality rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for stomach cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of deaths from stomach cancer decreased from 1,398 (874 males and 524 females) in 1982 to 1,138 in 2018. 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 3.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. 

Survival 

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer had a 31 % chance (30% for males and 33% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for stomach cancer improved from 19% to 31%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for stomach cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

Prevalence 

At the end of 2015, there were 1,544 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer that year, 4,482 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 10,040 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information on cancer data, see 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.