Cancer and Women

Every year, cancer claims the lives of more than a quarter of a million women in America. A woman can reduce her cancer risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting the right cancer screening tests for her stage of life.

In 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available, more than 660,000 women in the United States were told they had cancer, and nearly 270,000 died from it. Screening tests and the HPV vaccine can help prevent some of the most common types of cancer in women.

Lung Cancer

More women in the U.S. die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. Nearly four out of every five lung cancer deaths in women in this country are due to smoking. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking, or to quit if you smoke. You can also reduce your risk of lung cancer by avoiding other people's smoke and testing your home for radon gas.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in American women. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, before it can be felt, and when it is easier to treat.

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

The third leading cause of cancer deaths in American women is colorectal cancer. Screening tests for colorectal cancer can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. Everyone should be tested for colorectal cancer regularly starting at age 50.

Gynecologic Cancers

Gynecologic cancers start in a woman's cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina, vulva, or rarely, fallopian tubes. You can take steps to prevent some of these cancers.

  • Pap tests can find abnormal cells that may turn into cervical cancer. Removal of the abnormal cells prevents cervical cancer. Pap tests can also find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high.
  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available for girls and women who are 9 to 26 years old. The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer.
  • In addition to the Pap test, the HPV test may be used for screening women who are 30 years old or older, or at any age for those who have unclear Pap test results.

Data source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2006 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs