Cancer and Women

“With aging, the incidence of all cancers is expected to increase. For women, the most important cancers are breast, colon, endometrial, ovarian and lung cancer”.1

Top Three

Worldwide, what are the top three cancers in women?

In Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women according to the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI) “in 2020, the latest year available”:

  • “The top three – breast, colorectal and lung cancers – contributed 44.5% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)”.2

Breast Cancer

Worldwide, how common is breast cancer in women?

In women, according to the WCRFI:

  • “Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women worldwide, contributing 25.8% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020”.3

Cervical Cancer

Worldwide, how common is cervical cancer?

According to the WCRFI:

  • “Cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer in women, contributing 6.9% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020.”.4

Aging

Is there an association between aging and cancer?

In Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Preventing Cancer Post Menopause the International Menopause Society elaborate on:

“With aging, the incidence of all cancers is expected to increase. For women, the most important cancers are breast, colon, endometrial, ovarian and lung cancer. Also, in the developing world cervical cancer is a major cause of death in women. Possible prevention of these cancers by lifestyle changes and appropriate screening gains more importance after menopause”.5

Prevention Plan

What is a cancer prevention plan for women?

In Get Checked – Women: A Cancer Prevention Plan for Women the Cancer Council Australia elaborate on:

“Finding cancer early improves your chances of successful treatment and long-term survival.

Look for:

  • Lumps, sores or ulcers that don’t heal
  • Unusual changes in your breasts – lumps, thickening, unusual discharge, nipples that suddenly turn inwards, changes in shape, colour or unusual pain
  • Coughs that don’t go away, show blood, or a hoarseness that persists
  • Weight loss that can’t be explained
  • Any loss of blood, even a few spots between periods or after they stop (menopause)
  • Moles that have changed shape, size or colour, or an inflamed skin sore that hasn’t healed
  • Blood in a bowel motion
  • Persistent changes in toilet habits
  • Persistent abdominal pain or bloating.

Symptoms often relate to more common, less serious health problems. However, if you notice any unusual changes, or symptoms persist, visit your doctor”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to lower my risk of cancer?

If you would like to lower your risk of cancer, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The (United States) National Cancer Institute note:

“Avoiding cancer risk factors may help prevent certain cancers. Risk factors include smoking, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking and exercising may also help prevent some cancers. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer”.7

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Cancer and Women?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Links

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  1. About Cancer
  2. About Gynecologic Cancers
  3. After A Cancer Diagnosis: Follow Our Recommendations, if You Can
  4. Alcohol Calorie Calculator
  5. Alcohol Use and Cancer
  6. Alternative Cancer Treatments: 10 Options To Consider
  7. Avoid High-Calorie-Foods
  8. Be A Healthy Weight
  9. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  10. Breastcancer.org
  11. Call for Innovation In Women’s Cancers
  12. Can Cancer Be Prevented? “There Are Things You Can Do Right Now To Reduce Your Risk of Developing Cancer”
  13. Cancer
  14. Cancer
  15. Cancer A-Z
  16. Cancer Causes: Popular Myths About the Causes of Cancer
  17. Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women
  18. Cancer Facts for Women
  19. Cancer Fatigue: Why It Occurs and How To Cope
  20. Cancer Prevention Recommendations
  21. Cancer Prevention and Control: Healthy Choices
  22. Cancer Prevention and Control: How To Prevent Cancer or Find It Early
  23. Cancer Prevention: 7 Tips To Reduce Your Risk
  24. Cancer Research Findings [World Cancer Research Fund UK [United Kingdom]]
  25. Cancer Survivors: Care for Your Body After Treatment
  26. Cancer Survivors: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment
  27. Cancer Treatment: Coping With Hair Loss During Chemotherapy [Video]
  28. Cancer Types (Gynecologic Cancer)
  29. Cancer and Hair Loss
  30. Cancer and Women
  31. Cancer.org [American Cancer Society]
  32. Canceradvocacy.org [National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, United States]
  33. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week [United Kingdom] [17–23 January 2022]
  34. Cervical Health Awareness Month [January, United States]
  35. Causes of Cancer and Reducing Your Risk
  36. Chemotherapy and Hair Loss: What To Expect During Treatment
  37. Consumer Health: Cancer Myths vs. Facts
  38. Consumer Health: Life After Cancer
  39. Consumer Health: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment
  40. Consumer Health: Reducing Your Risk of Cancer
  41. Coping With Cancer
  42. Coping With Your Feelings
  43. Could This Be Cancer?
  44. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective. The Third Expert Report
  45. Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Increase Cancer Risk? Does HRT Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?
  46. Don’t Drink Alcohol
  47. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  48. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  49. Exercise Calorie Calculator
  50. For Cancer Prevention, Don’t Rely on Supplements
  51. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer [Gynaecologic Cancer]]
  52. Get Checked – Women: A Cancer Prevention Plan for Women
  53. Glossary: Definitions, & Phonetic Pronunciations
  54. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
    Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
  55. Gynecologic Cancers
  56. Health Tools
  57. Healthy Choices
  58. Healthy Living
  59. How To Prevent Cancer or Find It Early
  60. I have symptoms of cancer what should I do during the coronavirus outbreak? [+ Video: Coronavirus and Cancer]
  61. Key Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
  62. Limit Alcoholic Consumption
  63. Lowering Your Cancer Risk: Healthy Living for Cancer Prevention
  64. Lynchsyndrome.org.au
  65. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  66. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Cancer Survivorship Needs Are Unique for Each Survivor [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic]
  67. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  68. Menopause After Cancer
  69. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Is there any relationship between menopause and cancer?
  70. More Information on Cancer Drugs
  71. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms [National Cancer Institute, United States]
  72. National Cancer Institute [NCI, United States]
  73. National Cancer Survivors Day [Sunday, June 06, 2021]
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things You Need To Know About Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches
  75. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer: In Depth
  76. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  77. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  78. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  79. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Placebo Effect
  80. National LGBT Cancer Network
  81. Newly Diagnosed [Gynecologic Cancer]
  82. Nurture Your Emotional Health
  83. OCCAM Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine [National Cancer Institute, United States]
  84. Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
  85. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Cancer
  86. Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer [Topics]
  87. Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer: Questions Women Have About Cancer and Sex
  88. Sexual Health: Can Oral Sex Give You Cancer?
  89. Soy and Cancer Risk: Our Expert’s Advice
  90. Stay Healthy
  91. Staying Healthy During and After Cancer Treatment
  92. Tea and Cancer Prevention: Strengths and Limits of the Evidence
  93. Understanding Cancer Risk
  94. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  95. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  96. What Is Breast Cancer?
  97. What Is Lynch Syndrome?
  98. Why We Screen for Some Cancers and Not Others
  99. Women’s Cancers [Gynecological Cancers]
  100. World Cancer Day 2022 – Close the Care Gap – Hero Video (With Spanish Subtitles) [4 Feb]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Preventing Cancer Post Menopause. 2014:3 International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/wmd-2014-leaflet-english.pdf Accessed: 01 December 2022
  2. Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 01 December 2022
  3. Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 01 December 2022
  4. Worldwide Cancer Data: Global Cancer Statistics for the Most Common Cancers – Global Cancer Incidence In Women. World Cancer Research Fund International https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data Accessed: 01 December 2022
  5. Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Preventing Cancer Post Menopause. 2014:3 International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/wmd-2014-leaflet-english.pdf Accessed: 01 December 2022
  6. Get Checked – Women: A Cancer Prevention Plan for Women. Cancer Council Australia https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/early-detection-and-screening/get-checked-women Accessed: 01 December 2022
  7. Skin Cancer Prevention–Patient Version (PDQ): Skin Cancer Prevention – Avoiding Risk Factors and Increasing Protective Factors May Help Prevent Cancer. Updated: 18 October 2021. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-prevention-pdq#section/_16 Accessed: 01 December 2022
Topic Last Updated: 01 December 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 December 2022

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