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

In 2018, there were 1,710 new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that 1,815 new cases of ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) will be diagnosed in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 84 (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 cancer incidence in Australia among females, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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)
• *Ovarian cancer includes serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube. 

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 11 cases per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 11 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for ovarian cancer (incl. serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube), 1982 to 2018

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) diagnosed increased from 837 females in 1982 to 1,360 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained similar from 13 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 11 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths 

In 2020, there were 944 deaths from ovarian cancer in Australia. In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,016 deaths. In 2022, it is estimated that a female has a 1 in 148 (or 0.68%) risk of dying from ovarian cancer by the age of 85. 

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia among females, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 5.6 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 5.7 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 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 females in 1982 to 944 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 8.8 deaths per 100,000 females in 1982 to 5.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) had a 49% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) improved from 39% to 49%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for ovarian cancer and serous carcinomas of the fallopian tube, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2017, there were 1,397 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) that year, 5,035 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 13,154 people living who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (incl. serious carcinomas of the fallopian tube) in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.