UK Ovarian Cancer mortality statistics

This page presents ovarian cancer mortality statistics, including, age and trends over time

 

Ovarian cancer mortality in the UK

Ovarian cancer accounts for more deaths than all the other gynaecological cancers put together. In 2007, 4,317 UK women died from ovarian cancer, accounting for around 6% of all female deaths from cancer. The number of deaths and the rates for the constituent countries of the UK are shown in Table 2.11-3.

Number of deaths and mortality rates for ovarian cancer in the UK

Download this table (32KB)

 

Ovarian cancer mortality by age

Figure 2.1 shows the pattern of mortality in specific age groups.

Numbers of deaths and age-specific mortality rates for ovarian cancer in the UK

Download this chart (37KB)

 

Ovarian cancer mortality trends over time

The ovarian cancer mortality rates in the UK remained fairly stable between the 1970s and the early 2000s. However, since 2002 there has been a 14% drop in mortality rates.( Figure 2.2). This stability is against the backdrop of increasing incidence.

Age-standardised (European) mortality rates for ovarian cancer in the UK

Download this chart (36KB)

The stability in the overall mortality masks the variation in mortality trends at different ages. Mortality rates in UK women under 65 years are falling; over the decade 1998-2007, the rate fell by almost a quarter (23%) in women aged 50-64 and by 34% in women aged 40-49. However, ovarian cancer mortality rates in women over 65 have risen. Between 1971 and 2002 there was an increase of 39%, from 41 to 58 per 100,000 women. Since then the rate has dropped slightly to 53 deaths per 100,000 women. ( Figure 2.3).

Age specific mortality rates for ovarian cancer in the UK

Download this chart (38KB)

Browse related content

References for ovarian cancer mortality

  1.  Office for National Statistics 2009 Mortality Statistics: Cause, England and Wales, 2007. Series DH2, National Statistics: London
  2.  ISD Online 2009. Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Scotland 2007 Information and Statistics Division, NHS Scotland.
  3.  Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, 2009 Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Northern Ireland, 2007