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

New cases

In 2018, there were 2,423 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,589 males and 833 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 2,572 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,661 males and 911 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 114 (or 0.87%) risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 1.1 or 87% for males and 1 in 167 or 0.60% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 8.2 cases per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.3 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 7.9 cases per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.3 for females). The incidence rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for stomach cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables 
• More information about incidence rates for stomach 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 stomach cancer diagnosed increased from 1,825 (1,153 males and 672 females) in 1982 to 2,423 in 2018. 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 8.2 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths 

In 2020, there were 1,182 deaths from stomach cancer in Australia (789 males and 393 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,146 deaths (758 males and 388 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 276 (or 0.36%) risk of dying from stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 205 or 0.49% for males and 1 in 423 or 0.24% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.3 for males and 2.3 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.9 for males and 2.1 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 2020, by sex

Notes: 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for stomach 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 stomach cancer increased from 1,398 (874 males and 524 females) in 1982 to 1,182 in 2020. 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 3.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer had a 37% chance (36% for males and 39% for females) 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 stomach cancer improved from 20% to 37%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for stomach cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

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 stomach 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 1,816 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer that year, 5,384 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 12,009 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information, see Stomach 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.