Stomach cancer statistics

The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

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

New cases

In 2021, there were 2,703 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,715 males and 986 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 2,740 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,728 males and 1,012 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 115 (or 0.87%) risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 90 or 1.1% for males and 1 in 161 or 0.62% for females). 

In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 11 cases per 100,000 persons (15 for males and 7.4 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 9.9 cases per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 6.9 for females). The incidence rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 80–84 years.

The number of new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed increased from 1,824 (1,152 males and 672 females) in 1982 to 2,703 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 21 cases per 100,000 persons (30 for males and 14 for females) in 1982 to 11 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.

Deaths 

In 2023, there were 1,187 deaths from stomach cancer in Australia (770 males and 417 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 1,187 deaths (781 males and 406 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 292 (or 0.34%) risk of dying from stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 216 or 0.46% for males and 1 in 453 or 0.22% for females).

In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 3.0 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.1 for males and 2.7 for females). The mortality rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age.

The number of deaths from stomach cancer increased from 1,398 (874 males and 524 females) in 1982 to 1,187 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (24 for males and 11 for females) in 1982 to 4.5 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023. 

Survival 

In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer had a 40% chance (37% for males and 44% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for stomach cancer increased from 19% to 40%.

Prevalence 

At the end of 2021, there were 2,099 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer that year, 6,361 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 14,276 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).

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.