Uterine cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C54 (Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri) and C55 (Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified). The statistics on this page incorporate endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma and other cancers of the womb.

New cases

In 2016, uterine cancer was the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia among females It is estimated to remain the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in 2020. 

In 2016, there were 2,743 new cases of uterine cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2020, it is estimated that 3,224 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in Australia.

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed among females, 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 19 cases per 100,000 females. In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase slightly to 21 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for uterine cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 65-69 and then decreasing.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for uterine cancer, 1982 to 2016

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for uterine 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 uterine cancer diagnosed increased from 942 in 1982 to 2,743 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 14 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 19 cases per 100,000 females in 2016.

Deaths 

In 2018, uterine cancer was the 10th most common cause of cancer death in Australia among females. It is estimated that it will be the 9th most common cause of cancer death in Australia among females in 2020.

In 2018, there were 524 deaths from uterine cancer in Australia. In 2020, it is estimated that this will increase to 607 deaths.

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death among females, 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 3.2 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.6 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for uterine cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for uterine cancer, 1982 to 2018

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for uterine 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 uterine cancer increased from 222 in 1982 to 524 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.3 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 and 3.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. 

Survival 

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with uterine cancer had a 83% chance 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 uterine cancer improved from 78% to 83%.

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

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for uterine 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) 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2015, there were 2,568 females living who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer that year, 10,763 females living who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 30,791 females living who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information, see Uterine 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.