Epidemiology of Uterine Cancer in Sarawak, Borneo - A 20-Year Review

Sep 21, 2026

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Study of uterine cancer epidemiology in Sarawak, Malaysia using a population-based cancer registry for women diagnosed between January 1996 and December 2015. Crude incidence rates, age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) and incidence risk ratios (IRR) were calculated from registry demographic and clinical data, and joinpoint regression assessed incidence trends. Among 811 primary cases, crude incidence was 3.7 per 100,000; ASR was 4.4 per 100,000. Incidence increased over time, especially in older age groups and Chinese women.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Epidemiology and global context

Types and pathogenesis

Risk factors

Symptoms

REVIEW Editorial Process: Submission:10/112023 Acceptance:04/20/2024 Epidemiology of Uterine Cancer in Sarawak, Borneo, A 20-Year Review Diana Jawa1*, Kung Yee Wong2, Mastulu Binti Wahab2, AzizahAzhar2, Emmanuel Joseph Foong2, Eunice Melissa Joseph2, Johnny Pangkas3, Choo Huck Ooi2 Abstract Objective: This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of uterine cancer in Sarawak, Malaysia, using data from a population-based cancer registry. Methods: The study population included all women diagnosed with uterine cancer in Sarawak, Malaysia between January 1996 and December 2015. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from the Sarawak Cancer Registry. The crude incidence rate, age-standardized incidence rate (ASR), and incidence risk ratios (IRR) were calculated. Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to assess trends in incidence rates. Results: A total of 811 women were diagnosed with primary uterine cancer during the study period. The overall crude incidence rate for uterine cancer in Sarawak for the period 1996-2015 was 3.7 per 100,000. TheASR was 4.4 per 100,000 with a 95% CI (4.1-4.8) . The ASR in 2011-2015 is 1.6 times higher than the ASR of uterine cancer in 1996- 2000. Higher incidence rates were observed in women aged 40-59 years and those aged 60 years and above. Chinese women had the highest ASR, followed by Malay and Iban women. Joinpoint regression analyses showed a significant increase in cases of uterine cancer among all ethnic groups and age groups. Conclusion: The incidence of primary uterine cancer in Sarawak, Malaysia, has increased over the past 20 years, with higher incidence rates observed in older age groups and among Chinese women. The findings suggest the need for continued efforts to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of uterine cancer in Sarawak. Keywords: Uterine cancer-epidemiology-corpus uteri cancer Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 25 (4), 1143-1153 Introduction Uterine cancer is one of the most common cancersin women worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, uterine cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide, after breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer, cervical cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 8.7 per 100,000 population [1] . It is also the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide, after breast, colon, lung, cervix and thyroid. The mortality rate of corpus uteri cancer is 7.3 per 100,000 and the incidence of uterine cancer in Malaysia is expected to double by 2040 (from 1,401 to 2,490 cases) [1] . The incidence of uterine cancer is distributed differently in different regions of the world. It is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries such as America and Europe, and the second most common gynaecological malignancy in developing countries after cervical cancer. After Singapore (most common), Japan, Georgia, Israel, Armenia, Turkey, Korea, Republic of Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, China and Vietnam, Malaysia is ranked eightieth in the world and twelfth in Asia [1-3] . Uterine cancer happens when normal cells proliferate uncontrollably. Non-cancerous conditions of the uterus include fibroids, benign polyps, endometriosis, and endometrial hyperplasia. However, when there is the presence of more atypical cells and complex glands during the endometrium hyperplasia, the risk of developing uterine cancer increases. There are 2 main types of uterine cancer: adenocarcinoma, which accounts for most uterine cancers, and sarcoma. Adenocarcinoma develops from cells in the lining of the uterus and called endometrial cancer. Other less common subtypes ofadenocarcinoma of the uterus include serous, clear cell and carcinosarcoma. Carcinosarcoma is a mixture of adenocarcinoma and sarcoma. Sarcomas account for about 2% to 4% of cancers ofthe uterus and it develops in the myometrium or supporting tissue of the uterine glands. Subtypes of endometrial sarcoma

FAQs

What time period and population were included in the review?

All women diagnosed with uterine cancer in Sarawak, Malaysia between January 1996 and December 2015 were included, using data from a population-based cancer registry.

What were the overall incidence rates reported for 1996–2015?

The overall crude incidence rate was 3.7 per 100,000 and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 4.4 per 100,000 (95% CI: 4.1–4.8).

Which groups showed higher incidence rates and how did trends change?

Higher incidence rates were observed in women aged 40–59 and 60+ years. Chinese women had the highest ASR, followed by Malay and Iban women, and joinpoint regression indicated a significant increase across ethnic and age groups.

Sep 21, 2026

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