Understanding the Different Types of Cancers in Women

Cancer is a severe disease and one of the leading causes of death around the world. It is vital to catch cancer in its early stages to increase an individual’s survival chances. 

Certain cancers predominantly affect women, especially ones that develop in female parts, such as the breasts, ovaries, or uterine. This article explains the major types of cancer in women.

What are the Different Types of Cancers in Women? 

Cancer encompasses a wide range of diseases caused by abnormal cells multiplying unusually rapidly and forming tumours. These cells may originate in one part of the body and then spread to other distant tissues and organs (metastasis). 

If left untreated, cancer tumours can spread throughout the body and prove fatal. 

Women may suffer from a variety of different cancers. Some of the most prominent cancers affecting women are:

1. Breast Cancer: Cancer that develops in the breast cells, usually in the lobules or the ducts of the breasts.
2. Lung Cancer: Cancer that starts in the lungs and may spread to other parts of the body.
3. Ovarian Cancer: Cancer that occurs in the parts of the ovaries, including the germ, stromal, or epithelial cells.
4. Cervical Cancer: Cancer that starts in the cervix, usually on the surface of the cervix.
5. Endometrial Cancer: Cancer that develops in the lining of the uterus, the endometrium.

 What are the Risk Factors of Cancer in Women? 

Cancers in women share some common risk factors, such as consuming alcohol or having a family history of cancer. Other risk factors are specific to the particular type of cancer. Factors that may put a woman at risk of developing cancer include:  

Breast Cancer: 

1. Being older than 55 years of age
2. Having BRCA1 and BRCA 2 gene mutations
3. Having never been pregnant or carrying a full-term pregnancy
4. Taking postmenopausal hormone therapy

Lung Cancer: 

1. Regular smoking
2. Exposure to hazardous substances, such as radon and asbestos
3. Having TP53, EGFR, and KRAS genetic mutations
4. Past experience with radiation therapy, especially to the chest

Ovarian Cancer: 

1. Being older than 40 years of age
2. Using fertility drugs
3. Having a history of breast cancer
4. Having never been pregnant
5. Having a body mass index over 30

Cervical Cancer: 

1. Suffering from conditions like HPV or HIV
2. Getting pregnant before the age of 17
3. Taking birth control pills
4. Being obese

Endometrial Cancer: 

1. Being aged 45 to 74 years
2. Fluctuations in sex hormone levels
3. Being Obese
4. Having Type 2 Diabetes

What are the Symptoms of Cancer in Women?

Cancer symptoms in women vary depending on the type of cancer. These symptoms can include:  

Breast Cancer: 

1. Unusually thickened tissue or lumps in the breast
2. Breast pain
3. Inverted nipple
4. Bloody nipple discharge
5. Discoloured breast skin 

Lung Cancer: 

1. Early signs such as fatigue, chest pain, and lingering cough
2. Lumps in the neck or collarbone
3. Shrunken pupils
4. Pain in the shoulders, back, ribs, or hips
5. Lack of perspiration on one side of the face

Ovarian Cancer: 

1. Being aged 45 to 74 years
2. Fluctuations in sex hormone levels
3. Being Obese
4. Having Type 2 Diabetes

Cervical Cancer: 

1. Bleeding between periods or after menopause
2. Pelvic pain
3. Vaginal discharge that looks or smells unusual
4. Frequent urination
5. Pain while urinating

Endometrial Cancer: 

1. Irregular vaginal bleeding
2. Watery or bloody vaginal discharge
3. Vaginal bleeding after menopause
4. Experiencing pain during sexual intercourse

What are the Causes of Cancer in Women?

Changes or mutations in cell DNA are the leading cause of cancer. These genetic mutations can be inherited as well as acquired from environmental factors. Carcinogens, external factors that cause cancer, can include radiation, cigarette smoke, alcohol, asbestos, various bacteria and viruses, etc. 

Cancer causes in women can vary depending on the type of cancer they have. Regular smoking is the major cause for lung cancer, while cervical cancer is mainly caused by sexually transmitted human papillomavirus. The exact causes of some cancers, such as endometrial cancer, are unknown.  

Timely diagnosis and treatment are vital for women who may be suffering from cancer. Upon noticing cancer signs, consult a healthcare professional and book a test for cancer in females at Dr Lal PathLabs. 

FAQs 

1. What is the most common cancer in women?

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women according to the World Health Organization. The most reliant risk factors for breast cancer are the age and sex of an individual. 

2. How is cancer in women diagnosed?

The procedure for cancer diagnosis may vary depending on the type of cancer. A healthcare professional may perform various cancer tests, including a pap smear, biopsy, MRI, CT scan, and physical exams. 

3. How to prevent cancer?

Avoiding tobacco and alcohol, regular exercise, using appropriate sun protection, and getting vaccinated against common carcinogenic viral infections, such as HPV, are good preventative measures against cancer.