Types of Cancers Every Woman Should be Wary Of

For every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of it in India. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India and accounts for 27% of all cancers in women.

One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India in women accounting for 22.86% of all cancer cases in women and 12% of all cancer cases in both men and women.

Lung and bronchus cancers accounted for 14 percent of female cancer cases. A woman’s odds of getting this cancer: 1 in 16.”

The above statistics can give goosebumps to any individual . In recent times, there has been a radical increase in incidences of Cancers cases in India.  Nearly, two people are diagnosed every minute with Cancer. Among all other diseases, cancer has become a big threat globally. When suffering from Cancer, the abnormal cells get divided uncontrollably and destroy the body tissues. There are many different types of cancer and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected.

Cancer harms the body when altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the body system,  which release hormones that alter the body functioning.

Here are the most common cancers prevalent in women 

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer  develops from breast cells. Symptoms of breast cancer includes  a lump in a breast, change in size or shape of breast, pain in the armpits or breast, pitting or redness of the skin of the breast like the skin of an orange, discharge from breast etc.

Causes of breast cancer includes genetics, age, previous radiation treatment to breast, dense breast tissue, longer estrogen exposure, obesity, alcohol consumption.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer occurs when abnormal cells on grow uncontrollably on the Cervix . The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It can be detected at early stage by a Pap Test.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal bleeding from vagina, pain in lower belly and pelvis, abnormal vaginal discharge etc.

Causes for cervical cancer include human Papillomavirus infection, having more than two sexual partners, smoking excessively , intake of birth control and also engaging in early sexual contact.

Colon and Rectal Cancers

Colorectal cancer is a Tumor originating from the inner walls of the large intestine.

Risk factors for Colorectal Cancer include a family history of colorectal cancer, colon polyps and lastly, long-standing ulcerative colitis. Generally, there are no early symptoms of this cancer and regular checkups are always recommended. Undergoing Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly causes of death due to cancer in both men and women throughout the world.

Some of the symptoms of lung cancer includes prolonged cough, coughing up blood,  wheezing and shortness of breath, chest pain,  appetite loss, hoarseness, unexplainable weight loss, fatigue or weakness, difficulty in swallowing etc. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, genetics, exposure to air pollution and toxic gases, radon gas etc.

Uterine Cancer

Research suggests that Uterine cancer accounts for 6 percent of all cancer cases, and 3 percent of all deaths. A woman’s odds of getting this cancer are 1 in 41. Symptoms of uterine cancer are unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge, pain when urinating, pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the pelvic area etc.

Causes of uterine cancer are higher level of estrogen in body, obesity, family etc. People with a family history of this disease may be at greater risk.

Let’s try to Live a healthy life by adapting to good eating habits, living in a hygienic environment and most importantly, taking the right precautions while having sex.