Types of Cancer That Most Often Affect Women
Although many cancers occur in both sexes, for women, the following are the top five cancers that affect them:
Why does cancer affect men and women differently? Most obviously, some cancers are based on sex differences between men and women, such as cervical cancers occurring among those with a cervix (women only) and breast cancer among those with more breast tissue (women).
For the others, family history plays a role, as do risk factors. In some cases, the reason for the gender disparity may not be entirely clear. For example, cancer of the thyroid gland – which makes hormones that control metabolism – may be more prevalent among women due to the difference in the role hormones play in women and men.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
Early cancer screenings save lives. Make sure you stay up to date with your doctor’s recommendations for screenings, especially for breast, cervical, colon, and lung cancers. Regular skin cancer screenings are a good idea as well.
If you smoke, which is considered a risk factor for a lot of different cancers, consider quitting. Set a limit on your alcohol intake.
The most common sexually transmitted infection involves HPV, the human papillomavirus. Some HPV strains can lead to cervical and other types of cancer – but a vaccine offers protection against these cancers and is available for women between the ages of 9 and 26.
Check with your doctor to make certain you are following the screening recommendations for cancers that commonly affect women. Contact the AlphaCare Wellness Center at (817) 550-6332 to schedule a consultation today. or request an appointment.