Facts about Common Types of Cancer in Women

Some Common Types of Cancers

1. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and could happen at any age. A regular self-examination and a physical breast examination by the doctor can help detect breast cancer and early diagnosis can improve the treatment efficacy and prevent death.

Certain factors which increase the risk of getting breast cancer are age, diet, waist and hip size, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, having more than three pregnancies, number of years of menstruation, atypical hyperplasia in previous biopsy, and a history of carcinoma in relatives.

2. Cervical Cancer

About 22.86% oftotal cancer cases in India are diagnosed as cervical cancer. Rural women are considered to be at greater risk of suffering from this as compared to urban women. The presence of Human Papillomavirus, a sexually communicated infection, mostly causes cervical cancer. Use of Tobacco, smoking, genital infection, and having multiple sexual partners are also co-related to the incidence of cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer is preventable and getting regular PAP smears leads to early detection of the disease. There are no symptoms in the early stage but as the cancer advances, symptoms like vaginal discharge, unusual vaginal bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse is observed.

3. Ovarian Cancer

Women at any age could develop ovarian cancer but risk increases with age. In this cancer, there is an unusual growth of cells in the fallopian tubes as well as ovaries. Women who have never given birth to a child or have given birth after 35 years of age are more at risk, as are women who are using only estrogen for hormone replacement therapy. If a woman has symptoms such as swelling in the abdomen, pain in the abdomen, or digestive problems, then it is best to seek expert advice.

4. Colorectal Cancer

This type of cancer begins in the colon or the rectum of a person. Several factors increase the risk of colorectal cancer such as being physically inactive, being overweight, consuming red as well as processed meats, heavy alcohol consumption, etc. Getting regular screening for colorectal cancer could be helpful in early detection as most of the times; it begins as a polyp, which is a small growth on rectum’s lining.

5. Endometrial Cancer

Cancer in the endometrium is known as endometrial cancer, and is more common in women who are 55 years or older. Late menopause, not having given birth, or early arrival of menstruation could also increase the risk. Women who have suffered from breast or ovarian cancer have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.

6. Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the unusual growth of skin cells and is often caused by frequent ultraviolet exposure. A person could develop skin cancer if they have lighter skin. One symptom of this cancer is getting a large number of moles, or the size of the moles increasing.

Skin cancer begins in cells of the top layer of skin. Limiting exposure to UV rays and wearing sunscreen is an important step to lower risk.

7. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer could develop in the trachea, bronchia, or alveoli and affects a person's pulmonary system. Smoking as well as inhaling second-hand smoke, and being exposed to harmful chemicals increase the risk of developing lung cancer.