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).
Estimated number of new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in 2021
2,392 = 1,558 males + 834 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
1.6%
Estimated number of deaths from stomach cancer in 2021
1,141 = 723 males + 418 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
2.3%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
34%
People living with stomach cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
4,871
New cases
In 2017, there were 2,371 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,514 males and 857 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 2,392 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,558 males and 834 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 119 (or 0.84%) risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 90 or 1.1% for males and 1 in 178 or 0.56% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 8.3 cases per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.7 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce slightly to 7.6 cases per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 5.0 for females). The incidence rate for stomach cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for stomach cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed increased from 1,825 (1,153 males and 672 females) in 1982 to 2,371 in 2017. 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 8.3 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 1,174 deaths from stomach cancer in Australia (774 males and 400 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,141 deaths (723 males and 418 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 266 (or 0.38%) risk of dying with stomach cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 206 or 0.48% for males and 1 in 378 or 0.26% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.8 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.4 for males and 2.4 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.8 for males and 2.4 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 2019, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from stomach cancer decreased from 1,398 (874 males and 524 females) in 1982 to 1,174 in 2019. 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 3.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with stomach cancer had a 34% chance (33% for males and 35% for females) 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 stomach cancer improved from 19% to 34%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for stomach cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes:
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
At the end of 2016, there were 1,670 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer that year, 4,871 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 10,856 people living who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information on cancer data, see 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.