Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

Run detailed and customised reports on specific cancers, with comparisons on age, genders and geography:

Online statistics module

Uterine cancer

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Uterine cancer accounts for 4 per cent of all new cancer in females in NSW and 2.2 per cent of female cancer deaths.

At a glance

2008 statistics Women
Cases Rate Trend
New cases 625 15.6 negative trend upwards 19.1
Deaths 126 2.5 icon-trend-static.png
Relative survival
(5 year)		 80% Unchanged

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Uterine cancer is the seventh most common cancer and the 16th most common cause of cancer death in females in NSW.
  • One in 52 females will develop uterine cancer by the age of 85.
  • Overall the five-year survival is 80 per cent. Survival is 93.7 per cent when the disease is localised at diagnosis.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

uterine-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

uterine-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Risk of uterine cancer increases with age.
  • Excessive consumption of fat.
  • Overweight and obesity.
  • Physical inactivity.
  • High blood pressure and high glucose concentrations.
  • Family history of uterine cancer or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer also increase the risk.

 

Prevention

Intake of oral contraceptives containing oestrogens and progestogens lowers the risk of uterine cancer. This protective effect increases with the length of time the contraceptive is used.

Physical activity and maintenance of a healthy weight may also protect against uterine cancer.

Detection and screening

There is no screening test for uterine cancer. A Pap test is not an effective screening method for uterine cancer.

Symptoms may include unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, pain in the pelvic area and difficulty urinating. These symptoms are also associated with other illness that are not cancer.

Tests to diagnose uterine cancer may include blood and urine tests, pelvic examination and biospy.

Research

Around $5.9 million was spent on cancer research in gynaecological cancers in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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