An average of 12 women per day are being diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, but survival rates are continuing to improve, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

 

Gynaecological caners in Australia: an overview, provides national statistics about gynaecological cancers as a group for the first time.

 

The report shows uterine cancer as the most commonly diagnosed gynaecological cancer in 2008, followed by ovarian cancer and cervical cancer.

 

“A total of 4,534 new gynaecological cancers were diagnosed in Australia in 2008, accounting for over 9% of all new cancers in females," said AIHW spokesperson Anne Bech.

 

“While the number of new cases of all gynaecological cancers increased between 1982 and 2008, the overall incidence rate fell by 12%,” Ms Bech said.

 

The report shows that the five-year relative survival for ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers has improved over time and that Australian women diagnosed with these cancers have better survival prospects than women in many other countries.

 

The five year relative survival varied for the individual cancer types-82% for uterine cancer, 72% for cervical cancer and 43% for ovarian cancer.

 

“While the survival rate for ovarian cancer has improved significantly in recent years, it still remains low in comparison with other gynaecological cancers,” said Cancer Australia CEO Dr Helen Zorbas.

 

The full report can be found here

http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=10737422954