Cancer

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States since 1985, followed closely by breast cancer, which strikes one in eight American women. In the past 21 years, the rate of American women dying from lung cancer has increased nearly 400 percent, due almost exclusively to cigarette smoking.

For the first time in recent history, the death rate from breast cancer is beginning to drop. Increased federal funding and the recent establishment of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer have helped to firmly establish breast cancer as a national health care priority.

Because cancer represents such a serious problem in women's health, it is important for you to become familiar with the risk factors associated with cancer as well as how to lower your risk of developing cancer.

Cancers that Affect Women
Natalie Warren Bryant Cancer Center
Saint Francis Breast Center

Cancers that Affect Women Cancer is characterized by the presence of and uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells within the body. Knowledge of risk factors associated with various forms of cancer, and early detection are the best weapons against cancer of any kind.

According to the Office of Women's Health, there are three primary factors that influence the likelihood of developing cancer. They include age, personal and family medical history and lifestyle or behaviors.

Lifestyle choices and behaviors that can make a substantial difference in your chances of developing cancer include:

• Smoking
• Eating a balanced and varied diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fiber
• Limiting fat intake and consumption of salt-cured, smoked or nitrite-cured food
• Limiting exposure to sunlight
• Limiting consumption of alcohol
• Using smokeless tobacco
• Use of estrogen
• Exposure to certain industrial agents such as nickel, chromate, asbestos and vinyl chloride
• Excessive exposure to ionizing radiation

Women between the ages of 20 and 40 should have cancer-related checkups every three years, in conjunction with regular annual examinations. However, your doctor may wish to do a cancer evaluation more often than once every three years. You should follow your Physician's recommendations about regular evaluations and checkups, as well as any recommended lifestyle changes.

Six types of cancer have been identified as considerable health concerns for women.

Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Cervical cancer
Endometrial cancer
Ovarian cancer
Colon cancer

Lung Cancer
It is the number one cause of cancer deaths among American women. More women have died from lung cancer each year since 1987 than have died from breast cancer. Fortunately, lung cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. As many as 75 percent of the premature deaths resulting from lung cancer in women, could have been avoided if the women had not smoked.

Other risk factors associated with lung cancer include:

• Exposure to industrial substances
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• Exposure to radiation
• Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Most often, lung cancer is not detected in its early stages because the symptoms associated with the disease are usually not present until the disease has advanced. An analysis of the sputum, chest x-rays and an examination of the bronchial passage may be used to make the diagnosis.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Nagging or painful cough that doesn't go away
• Coughing up blood in your sputum
• Chest pains
• Recurring pneumonia and bronchitis

Breast Cancer
It is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. In 1996, it is estimated some 184,300 new cases of breast cancer will be reported with 44,300 deaths of women attributed to the disease.

Most recently, breast cancer research has received much financial support from the government which has resulted, in part, in improved imaging techniques. More women are turning to regular mammograms to detect breast cancer in its early stages.

Risk factors associated with breast cancer include:

• Age
• Family history of breast cancer
• Personal history of "atypical" benign breast disease
• Early menstruation
• Late menopause
• Extended use of estrogen
• Not having given birth or having children in later years
• Education and socioeconomic status

Other risk factors that may play a role in developing breast cancer include diet and fat intake, exposure to certain chemicals, having an abortion and physical inactivity.

• Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
• Suspicious findings in a mammogram
• Changes in your breast, including changes in size, texture and appearance
• Discharge from your nipple

Tenderness of the nipple Early detection remains the best defense against breast cancer. Women 40-49 years of age should have a mammogram every year or two. Women over 50 should have a mammogram every year. Your Physician can make recommendations as to how frequently you should schedule a mammogram based on your individual history and risk factors.

Additionally, women between the ages of 20 and 40 should have a clinical breast exam every three years and women over 40 should have them once a year. Breast self-exams should be conducted monthly.

Again, your doctor is the best resource for advice on how to detect breast cancer in its early stages.

Click here for theBreast Center, where you will find a breast self-exam model, and details about the stages of breast cancer and treatment of the disease.

Cervical Cancer
An estimated 15,700 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Additionally, some 600,000 women are diagnosed and treated for premalignant cells taken from the cervix, a condition called dysplasia.

Evidence indicates as many as 90 percent of the cervical cancers diagnosed may be sexually transmitted, resulting from exposure to the human papilloma virus.

Other risks associated with cervical cancer include:

• First intercourse at an early age
• Multiple sex partners
• A history of sexually transmitted disease, or sex with a partner who has had a history of sexually transmitted diseases
• Smoking

Use of barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, diaphragms and spermicides may lower your risk of developing cervical cancer.

In its early stages, there may be no symptoms of the disease. However, a pap smear, which is recommended annually for all women 18 and older (or when they become sexually active), can usually detect the presence of abnormal cells.

Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer, which begins in the lining of the uterus, is usually diagnosed in women over 50.

Use of estrogen and estrogen-related exposure, including estrogen replacement therapy used to control the symptoms of menopause, is the most prominent risk factor associated with endometrial cancer. Current hormone replacement therapies, which combine estrogen with progestin drugs, may address these risks. If you are contemplating hormone replacement therapy, you should discuss the benefits and risks with your Physician.

Other risk factors associated with endometrial cancer include:

• Use of tomoxifen
• Early menstruation
• Late menopause
• Not bearing children
• Failing to ovulate
• Diabetes
• Gall bladder disease
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Pelvic irradiation

Symptoms of endometrial cancer include abnormal bleeding, especially in postmenopausal women. Unfortunately, the Pap test is not particularly effective in detecting this type of cancer. It is recommended that women 40 and over have an annual pelvic exam and those at high risk have endometrial tissue evaluated when they reach menopause. Talk with your doctor about how often you should schedule this type of examination.

Ovarian Cancer
This is the most fatal of all gynecological cancers in the United States. Despite aggressive treatment, five-year survival rates are less than 40 percent.

Unfortunately, there are no symptoms associated with ovarian cancer in its early stages, so most women are not diagnosed until they are in the late stages of the disease. Symptoms at that stage may include enlarged abdomen, feelings of stomach discomfort or gas over an extended period of time for no apparent reason and occasionally, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Risk factors associated with ovarian cancer include:

Age

Not bearing children

Family history of ovarian cancer

Some genetic disorders

The most effective method of detecting this type of cancer is a pelvic examination. Vaginal ultrasound and the tumor marker CA125 may also be helpful in making the diagnosis. You should discuss these surveillance methods with your doctor and follow his of her recommendations on the type and frequency of tests you should have conducted.

Colon Cancer
Colon cancer indicates malignant cells have been found in the colon, which is part of the digestive system. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Risk factors associated with colon cancer include:

• Age (50 and older)
• Family history of cancer of the colon, rectum or female organs
• Personal or family history of polyps in the colon
• History of ulcerative colitis

Physical inactivity and diets high in fat or low in fiber may also be factors.

Symptoms of colon or colorectal cancer include bleeding from the rectum and changes in bowel habits.

Early detection includes a digital rectal examination, feccal occult blood test, and/or proctosigmoidoscopy. The American Cancer Society recommends the digital rectal exam annually after age 40, annual stool blood testing after 50 and sigmoidoscopy every three to five years after the age of 50. Consult with your doctor about the types of tests you need to have conducted and how often they need to be done.

To learn more about cancer, risk factors and treatments, please visit the Natalie Warren Bryant Cancer Center at Saint Francis.