Ovarian cancer statistics for mortality (deaths) incorporate ICD-10 cancer code C56 (Malignant neoplasm of ovary) only. For incidence, survival and prevalence, statistics also include ICD-10 cancer codes C57.0, C57.8 (with histologies 8441, 8460, 8461) for serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube.

New cases

Ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) was the ninth most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in Australia in 2017. In 2021, it is estimated that it will remain the ninth most commonly diagnosed cancer among females.

In 2017, there were 1,615 new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that 1,720 new cases of ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 87 (or 1.2%) risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) by the age of 85.

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed among females, 2021

*Ovarian cancer group includes serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for ovarian 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)

In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 11 cases per 100,000 females. In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 11 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube), 1982 to 2017, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables 
• More information about incidence rates for ovarian 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 ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed increased from 837 in 1982 to 1,615 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 13 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 11 cases per 100,000 in 2017.

Deaths 

In 2019, ovarian cancer was the sixth most common cause of cancer death among females in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that it will remain the sixth most common cause of death from cancer among females. 

In 2019, there were 1,075 deaths from ovarian cancer in Australia. In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,042 deaths. In 2021, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 142 (or 0.70%) risk of dying from ovarian cancer by the age of 85.

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death among females, 2021

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for ovarian 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)

In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 6.5 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 6.0 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for ovarian cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for ovarian cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for ovarian 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 ovarian cancer increased from 587 in 1982 to 1,075 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 8.8 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2019. 

Survival 

In 2013–2017, females diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) had a 48% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) improved from 37% to 48%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for ovarian cancer over time, by age, sex, 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 2016, there were 1,333 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) that year, 4,855 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 12,561 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).

For more information, see Ovarian 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.