Women and Cancer
Quick Facts
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean women should stop being concerned about other types of cancer. Here are some quick facts about the most common types of cancer among women and ways to help prevent or detect them.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer among women.
Take Action: Use sunscreen outside and wear a full-brimmed hat; see a dermatologist
once a year.
Lung Cancer is responsible for the deaths of more women than any type of cancer.
Take Action: STOP Smoking!
Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among women.
Take Action: After age 50, have a colonoscopy, usually every 10 years, or a sigmoidoscopy, usually every five years.
Gynecologic Cancers (Ovarian, Uterine, Cervical, Vaginal and Vulvar) affect only women. More than 80,000 American women are diagnosed each year with a gynecologic cancer.
Take Action: See your gynecologist once a year for a pelvic exam and Pap test.