Female-related
Cancer Information
The
following information includes information on the leading
causes of cancer deaths for women. Each of the Top 5
cancer sites has a link that will take you directly
to specific information on the American
Cancer Society website. Visit the site, as well
as the Centers
for Disease Control, to find more information on
risk factors, prevention strategies, as well as frequently
asked questions and treatment options.
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Leading
Causes of Cancer Deaths for Women:
1.
Lung and Bronchus
2. Breast
3. Colon and Rectum
4. Pancreas
5. Ovary
In
2002 there will be about 169,400 new cases of lung cancer
in the United States, 90,200 among men and 79,200 among
women, and about 154,900 people (89,200 men and 65,700
women) will die of the disease. Lung cancer is fairly
rare in people under the age of 40; average age at diagnosis
is 60.
Most
lung cancers start in the lining of the bronchi, but
can also begin in other areas of the lung such as the
trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli. Lung cancer often
takes many years to develop but once it occurs, cancer
cells can break away and spread to other parts of the
body in a process called metastasis. Lung cancer is
a life-threatening disease because it often spreads
before it is found.
There
are two main types of lung cancer:
Small
cell lung cancer accounts for about 20% of all lung
cancers. Although the cancer cells are small, they can
multiply quickly and form large tumors that can spread
to the lymph nodes and then to other organs. This kind
of cancer is almost always caused by smoking; it is
very rare for someone who has never smoked to have small
cell lung cancer.
Non-small
cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung
cancer, accounting for almost 80% of lung cancers. There
are three subtypes within this group.
Squamous cell carcinoma is linked to a history of
smoking. It tends to be found centrally, near a bronchus.
Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the outer region
of the lung.
Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma can appear in
any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread
quickly, resulting in a poor outlook for the patient.
The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke
and to avoid people who do.
2.
Breast
Every
woman is at risk for breast cancer! Breast cancer is
the most common form of cancer in American women and
the second leading cause of death. Although most women
who develop breast cancer have no family history or
other risk factors, during the course of her lifetime,
one in nine women will develop the disease.
In
2002, about 203,500 women in the United States will
be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 40,000 women
will die from the disease. While it usually affects
women, men are also at risk for breast cancer. An estimated
1500 cases will be diagnosed in men in 2002. Although
breast cancer cannot be prevented, if it is detected
early, it can be effectively treated. As a result, the
American Cancer Society recommends the following:
Yearly mammogram beginning at age 40.
Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a
clinical breast exam every 3 years. After age 40,
women should have a breast exam by a health professional
every year. The CBE should be done close to, or preferably
before, the mammogram.
All women age 20 and over should do breast self-exams
every month.
Most
women require surgery of some kind in the course of
treating breast cancer, and may consider breast reconstruction
surgery as a result. For more information on breast
reconstruction visit the following direct link on the
American
Cancer Society website.
Insurance
coverage for mammograms varies by policy, so individuals
should check with her insurance company for more details
on costs. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control
offers free or low cost mammogram screenings and pap
tests for low-income individuals through the National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
For more information on income guidelines and sites
in your area visit the CDC NBCCEDP.
Colorectal
cancer begins in either the colon or the rectum, both
part of the digestive tract. In 2002, there will be
about 107,300 new cases of colon cancer and 41,000 new
cases of rectal cancer in the United States. Colon cancer
will cause about 48,100 deaths and rectal cancer about
8,500 deaths.
Cancer
can develop in any of the four sections of the colon
or in the rectum. Cancer beginning in these different
areas may cause different symptoms. Colorectal cancers
probably develop slowly over a period of several years.
Before a true cancer develops, there are often earlier
changes in the lining of the colon or rectum. One type
of change is a growth of tissue called a polyp. Removing
the polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer.
It
is important to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and
whole grain foods and to limit the amount of red meats
you eat, especially those high in fat. Some studies
suggest that taking a daily multivitamin containing
folic acid or folate can lower colorectal cancer risk.
Other studies suggest that getting calcium with supplements
or low-fat dairy products can help, and that getting
enough exercise is important as well.
Beginning
at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these
five screening options:
Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Yearly fecal occult blood test plus sigmoidoscopy
every 5 years
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
Colonoscopy every 10 years
4.
Pancreas
The
pancreas is found behind the stomach and functions as
two separate glands. Some cells in the gland make pancreatic
juice, which contains enzymes that break down fats and
proteins so the body can use them for growth and repair.
Other cells in the pancreas, known as islets, release
two hormones that help control the amount of sugar in
the blood. Both kinds of pancreatic cells can form tumors,
but those formed by the first type (called the exocrine
pancreas) are more common and more likely to be cancerous.
In
2002, an estimated 30,300 people in the United States
will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 29,700
will die of the disease. As these numbers indicate,
pancreatic cancer is deadly; about 2 out of 10 patients
with cancer of the pancreas will live at least 1 year
after the cancer is found, but only a very few will
survive for 5 years.
The
best advice for prevention is to avoid smoking and to
eat a healthful diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
while cutting down on high-fat foods from animal sources.
However, many people with the disease do not have any
risk factors and could not have prevented it.
5.
Ovary
Ovarian
cancer starts in a woman’s ovaries. There are two ovaries,
one on each side of the pelvis. The ovaries produce
eggs and are the main source of the female hormones
estrogen and progesterone.
The
American Cancer Society estimates that there will be
about 23,300 new cases of ovarian cancer in this country
in 2002. About 13,900 women will die of the disease.
We
do not yet know what causes ovarian cancer, so there
are no known prevention strategies. However, because
the chances of survival from ovarian cancer are better
if the cancer is found early, all women should have
a yearly pelvic exam beginning at age 18 or when they
become sexually active. During this exam the doctor
will feel the ovaries and uterus, checking their size
and shape. Early detection will most likely occur with
regular pelvic exams.
Additional
Cancer Information:
Cervical Cancer Basics
Cervical cancer begins in the lining of the cervix,
which is the lower part of the womb (uterus). The uterus
has two parts. The upper part, called the body of the
uterus, is where the baby grows. The cervix, in the
lower part, connects the body of the uterus to the vagina,
or birth canal.
Cancer
of the cervix does not form suddenly. First, some cells
begin to change from normal to pre-cancer and then to
cancer. This can take a number of years, although sometimes
it happens more quickly. For some women, pre-cancerous
changes may go away without any treatment. More often,
they need to be treated to keep them from changing into
true cancers.
In
2002, an estimated 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical
cancer will be diagnosed and about 4,100 women will
die of the disease, despite the fact that it is nearly
100 % preventable. Cervical cancer can be prevented
in two ways. The first is by avoiding risk factors,
including human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted
by sexual contact. The second is by obtaining regular
Pap tests, which can detect HPV and precancerous cells,
allowing them to be treated before invasive cancer develops.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women
have yearly Pap tests beginning at age 18 or the onset
of sexual activity, whichever is first. After three
negative Pap tests, the test may be administered less
frequently at the discretion of the woman’s health care
provider.
Insurance
coverage for pap tests varies by policy, so individuals
should check with her insurance company for more details
on costs. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control
offers free or low cost mammogram screenings and pap
tests for low-income individuals through the National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
For more information on income guidelines and sites
in your area visit the CDC NBCCEDP.