Women Can Lower Their Risk for Cancer

Taking care of yourself to cut your chances of getting cancer is a great health goal. But how exactly can you do that? Preventive care, including health screenings, is the place to start.

The aim is to prevent cancer or find it early, when it is easier to treat. If you can do that, it may help save your life.

The cancers that most affect women are breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and skin.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S, not counting skin cancer. It's also the second-leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer.

It can happen at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older. Things like family history can make the risk higher for some women. But every woman should know what they can do to help lower their risk, says the American Cancer Society. 

What to Do: Having routine screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early. Talk to your health care provider about breast cancer, your risk factors and your family medical history. 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force  recommends that women between the ages of 40 and 74 and at average breast cancer risk get a mammogram at least every two years.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in American women.

What to Do: If you smoke now, or used to and are over 50, talk to your doctor about screening. Screening for lung cancer can help catch cancer earlier, but it isn’t recommended for everyone. It’s recommended for adults at high risk for getting the disease because of their smoking history and age. Find out more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

To cut your risk:

• Skip all types of tobacco.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Be aware of cancer-causing chemicals at work and home and avoid them or limit your exposure.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. It usually starts with a polyp, a small growth.

Some factors that raise your risk of colon cancer include not being active, eating a lot of processed foods and red meats, and being overweight. Smoking and alcohol use can also raise your risks. People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps are also at higher risk.

What to Do: Talk to your doctor about what testing type is best for you. Like many other forms of cancer, colon cancer  often has no symptoms in its early stage. But when it is caught early, there’s a 90 percent survival rate. Unfortunately, about 1 in 3 Americans who should get tested for colorectal cancer have never been screened.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix, the lower end of the uterus. Routine screenings and HPV vaccines can prevent it. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cervical cancers. It’s a common infection, but most people don't know they have it. Some types of HPV don't go away and can cause cancer.

What to Do: Have routine screenings to find pre-cancers and abnormal cells before they become cancerous. And the American Cancer Society recommends that all children between ages 9 and 12 get the HPV vaccination. That’s when the vaccine works best. But children and young adults can still get the vaccine up to age 26.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer  occurs in the inner lining of the uterus. The risk increases with age. The American Cancer Society says women should be especially alert to any signs at menopause.

What to Do: Know the signs.  For women with average risk and no symptoms, there are no recommended screening tests or exams to find endometrial cancer. So it’s important to report any unusual vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain to your doctor.

Ovarian Cancer

Other than age, the key risk factor for ovarian cancer is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Inherited gene changes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 also increase your risk.

What to Do: Learn about the risk factors  and symptoms of ovarian cancer.  And talk to your doctor about any signs you notice.

There are no recommended screening tests for women who are not at increased risk of ovarian cancer. If you have an increased risk because of family history, talk to your doctor about tests that might be right for you.

Skin Cancer

Radiation from the sun causes most skin cancers. It is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. Those with lighter skin are more likely to get skin cancer, but everyone is at risk. Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent and find early.

What to Do: Protect your skin from UV exposure and look for changes. Keep track of how all of the moles and spots on your skin normally look. Report any changes to your doctor right away. And ask about having a skin exam done during your regular health checkups.

Practice Prevention

Thinking about cancer can be stressful. But you can take steps to stay well. Listen to your body. Be sure you have your preventive health care visits. And get your health screenings on time.

Sources: Cancer Facts for Women,  American Cancer Society, 2023; Screening for Lung Cancer,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Endometrial Cancer,  Mayo Clinic, 2023; Signs and Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer,  American Cancer Society, 2019; Breast Cancer: Screening,  U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2024; Screening for Colorectal Cancer,  CDC, 2024; Can Colorectal Polyps and Cancer Be Found Early? ,  American Cancer Society, 2024