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 2018, the latest year available”:

  • “The top three – breast, colorectal and lung cancers – contributed 43.9% 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 25.4% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2018”.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 2018.”.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] Cancer and Women
  34. Cervical Health Awareness Month [United States]: January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month: Ten Things To Know About HPV and Cervical Cancer Cancer and Women
  35. Causes of Cancer and Reducing Your Risk
  36. Chemotherapy and Hair Loss: What To Expect During Treatment
  37. Chemotherapy and Sex: Is Sexual Activity OK During Treatment?
  38. Consumer Health: Life After Cancer
  39. Consumer Health: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment
  40. Coping With Cancer
  41. Coping With Your Feelings
  42. Could This Be Cancer?
  43. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective. The Third Expert Report
  44. Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Increase Cancer Risk? Does HRT Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?
  45. Don’t Drink Alcohol
  46. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  47. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  48. Exercise Calorie Calculator
  49. For Cancer Prevention, Don’t Rely on Supplements
  50. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer [Gynaecologic Cancer]]
  51. Get Checked – Women: A Cancer Prevention Plan for Women
  52. Glossary: Definitions, & Phonetic Pronunciations
  53. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States] Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
  54. Gynecologic Cancers
  55. Health Tools
  56. Healthy Choices
  57. Healthy Living
  58. I have symptoms of cancer what should I do during the coronavirus outbreak? [+ Video: Coronavirus and Cancer]
  59. Key Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
  60. Limit Alcoholic Consumption
  61. Lowering Your Cancer Risk: Healthy Living for Cancer Prevention
  62. Lynchsyndrome.org.au
  63. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  64. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Cancer Survivorship Needs Are Unique for Each Survivor [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic]
  65. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  66. Menopause After Cancer
  67. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Is there any relationship between menopause and cancer?
  68. More Information on Cancer Drugs
  69. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms [National Cancer Institute, United States]
  70. National Cancer Institute [NCI, United States]
  71. National Cancer Survivors Day [Sunday, June 06, 2021]
  72. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things You Need To Know About Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer: In Depth
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  75. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  76. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  77. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Placebo Effect
  78. National LGBT Cancer Network
  79. Newly Diagnosed [Gynecologic Cancer]
  80. Nurture Your Emotional Health
  81. OCCAM Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine [National Cancer Institute, United States]
  82. Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
  83. Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Cancer
  84. Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer [Topics]
  85. Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer: Questions Women Have About Cancer and Sex
  86. Sexual Health: Can Oral Sex Give You Cancer?
  87. Soy and Cancer Risk: Our Expert’s Advice
  88. Stay Healthy
  89. Staying Healthy During and After Cancer Treatment
  90. Survivornet.com [SurvivorNet]
  91. Tea and Cancer Prevention: Strengths and Limits of the Evidence
  92. Understanding Cancer Risk
  93. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  94. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  95. What Is Breast Cancer?
  96. What Is Lynch Syndrome?
  97. Why We Screen for Some Cancers and Not Others
  98. Women’s Cancers [Gynecological Cancers]
  99. Women’s Wellness: How To Treat Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
  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: 22 December 2021
  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: 22 December 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: 22 December 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: 22 December 2021
  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: 22 December 2021
  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: 22 December 2021
  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: 22 December 2021

Topic Last Updated: 29 December 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 December 2021
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