Gynaecological Cancers \ Gynaecological Cancer Statistics

Gynaecological Cancer Statistics

Approximately 1 woman dies from a gynaecological cancer in New Zealand every day

Gynaecological Cancers make up 10% of all cancer cases, and 10% of all cancer deaths in New Zealand.

Ovarian Cancer:

• Ovarian cancer is the 4th biggest killer of New Zealand women – with one women dying every 48 hours from ovarian cancer.
• There are approximately 310 new cases per year, and 175 deaths (rising to 188 by 2010)
• 85% of ovarian cancer cases occur in women aged 45 and over.

Cervical Cancer

• 80% of cervical cancer diagnoses are for women under 65.
• Maori women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as their non-Maori counterparts, and up to four times as likely to die from this condition.
• There are approximately 180 new cases of Cervical Cancer per year, with around 65 deaths.
• Regular screening reduces the chances of getting cervical cancer. Without it, one in 40 women would develop cervical cancer. With screening, one in 250 will develop cervical cancer.

Uterine Cancer

• Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer has quite a young age distribution, with only 50% of the cases involving older women (65 years and above).
• There are currently about 315 new cases per annum, and approximately 80 deaths.

Vulval Cancer

• Vulval cancer is the least common of the 4 main gynaecological cancers, with approximately 42 new cases per annum, and 12 deaths.

Other gynaecological cancers include: vaginal; primary peritoneal; fallopian tube; Molar pregnancy.

References:

SYKES, Peter, ‘Public Lecture’ Slides, Christchurch Hospital, September 2007,

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, ‘Cancer in New Zealand, Trends and Projections’ November 2002 (MOH website)

 NZ CANCER CONTROL AUDIT, 2004