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

Women

Worldwide, what are the most common types of cancer that kill women?

According to the World Health Organization:

“Worldwide, in 2015, the 5 most common types of cancer that kill women are (in the order of frequency): breast, lung, colorectal, cervical and stomach cancers”.2

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 2018, the latest year available”:

“The top three – breast, colorectal and lung cancers – contributed 43.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)”.3

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 25.4% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2018”.4

Cervical Cancer

Worldwide, how common is cervical cancer?

In Cervical Cancer the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health note:

“Cervical cancer is a cancer that develops in a woman’s cervix. It is the second most common cancer experienced by women worldwide”.5

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”.6

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”.7

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”.8

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

Where may I find Links related to Cancer and Women?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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

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/downloads/world_menopause_day_2014/booklets/ims_wmd_booklet_2014_english.pdf Accessed: 01 February 2021
  2. 10 Facts About Cancer – Fact 4: Top 5 Types of Cancer Killing Women. Updated February 2017. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/cancer/en/ Accessed: 01 February 2021
  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 February 2021
  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 February 2021
  5. Cervical Cancer. Last Updated: 18 January 2021 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2018. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/cervical-cancer Accessed: 01 February 2021
  6. Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause: Preventing Cancer Post Menopause. 2014:3 International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2014/booklets/ims_wmd_booklet_2014_english.pdf Accessed: 01 February 2021
  7. 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 February 2021
  8. Skin Cancer Prevention–Patient Version (PDQ): Skin Cancer Prevention – Avoiding Risk Factors and Increasing Protective Factors May Help Prevent Cancer. Updated: 10 April 2019. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-prevention-pdq#section/_16 Accessed: 01 February 2021

Topic Last Updated: 18 March 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 February 2021
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