| The other women's cancers
You know about breast cancer, the most common cancer affecting women, but do you know the other ones you should guard against? Out of the 200 existing cancers, breast cancer is the most common one affecting women, accounting for one in three of cases, according to Cancer Research. But there are other common cancers, and you can reduce your risk of getting them by being not just 'breast-aware', but 'body-aware' too. The cancers only women can get
Ovarian cancer
With ovarian cancer, as with breast cancer, risks are higher if it runs in the family. Women who have close relatives who have encountered ovarian cancer - mothers, sisters or daughters - are advised to have yearly pelvic examinations. Ovarian cancer's warning signs, which include bloating, indigestion, nausea, vaginal bleeding, pelvic or stomach discomfort, can be misconstrued for other conditions, like IBS or even menstruation. Womb cancer also has many symptoms in common with other 'gynae' conditions. Vaginal bleeding outside of the monthly period or during menopause and discharge or pain in lower abdomen are all signs. What you can do: The advice is simple according to the ovarian cancer charity, Ovacome (www.ovacome.org.uk), 'Know the symptoms and pay attention to them'. If in doubt, get checked out by your GP. Cervical cancer
Because cancer of the cervix is has few symptoms and can take years to develop, screening is the most effective form of prevention. A smear test is the popular name for the procedure where cells are quite literally smeared on to a slide, which is sent to the lab for closer examination. Regular smears can identify any abnormal changes in the cells that could potentially lead to cancer. The good news is that this slightly uncomfortable test is working and the rates of cervical cancer are falling. Between 1988 and 1997, yearly death rates dropped below 1,000, according to the National Office of Statistics. Abnormal cells are usually the result of a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). Often these clear up with time but in a few women they can develop into cancer if untreated. Women may be at a slightly higher risk if:
Eve, 35, from London was terrified of smear tests before abnormal cells were found during one of her checks. 'Every time I had a smear test, I would get worked up to the point of passing out, but it wasn't until things weren't quite normal, that things changed.' Eve's test revealed moderately abnormal cells, which were removed by minor surgery. 'Now I never miss a smear test and try to relax so that the nurse can take the sample quickly. Five years on, my cells - which could have been pre-cancerous - are back to normal.' What you can do: Fighting cervical cancer is as simple as keeping a record of your next smear (every three years between the ages of 25 and 49 or five years between 50 and 64). Make sure your GP always has your contact details to send a reminder. Some women's cancers are less common and often go unmentioned. About 1,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with cancer of the vulva each year, which affects the external genital area. The signs range from lumps and sore skin to discharge in this sensitive area.Pauline Barnes, 59, from Cheshire was seeing a consultant regularly for a skin irritation around her vulva in 2002 when she spotted an ulcer. 'I was referred to a gynaecologist and she found some pre-cancerous cells through a biopsy.' 'It was embarrassing as it's a very personal area, which made it difficult to explain to people, but talking about it helped make other people aware as it's quite rare.' Pauline became more aware of her own body as a result, 'Two years after having surgery I found another lump myself and it was cancer, so I knew what to expect.' She has now been given the 'all clear'. What you can do: Pauline advises, 'If you have any irritation or changes down below that is not responding to over-the-counter cream, seek immediate advice.' Common cancers that affect women Lung cancer Reducing your risk of lung cancer couldn't be easier - stop smoking and avoid passive smoking. Just ten per cent of lung cancer cases have never smoked. The news is bleak - only 24 per cent of women with lung cancer survive the first year after diagnosis.But why are women in particular at risk? Female smoking habits are 20 years behind those of men. In the 1940s, 65 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women smoked. But two decades later, in the Swinging Sixties men started to give up whilst women continued to puff away. This means that nowadays rates of lung cancer are higher for women, peaking between 75 and 79 years of age. Every year 13,400 women fall victim. Mike Unger, Chief Executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (www.roycastle.org/) says, 'People don't realise that lung cancer has been a bigger killer than breast cancer since 1999. Twenty-two per cent of all cancer deaths are down to lung cancer,' he says. 'Female lungs tend to be smaller so those who smoke or are affected from passive smoking are more vulnerable,' says Mike Unger. What you can do: Watch out for unexplained weight loss, a cough lasting more than three weeks, tiredness, coughing up blood and not shaking off chest infections after antibiotics. Often they go undetected as they are similar to other illnesses. Women can get on top of lung cancer by spotting the signs or asking their GP for a chest X-ray. Bowel cancer Bowel or colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in women, with 16,000 cases each year. Bowel cancer can run in the family (about ten per cent of cases) but it is thought that bowel cancer is often diet-related. A high-fibre diet, rich in green vegetables and low in quantities of red meat, as well as a healthy body weight and regular exercise, may help prevent bowel cancer.Looking out for signs may help, although there are often no symptoms in the early stages. Changes in bowel habits like regular diarrhoea or constipation, on-going lower abdomen pains, loss of appetite, anaemia and rectal bleeding may occur. Anne from Sutton Coldfield, a 'Patient Voice' from the charity Beating Bowel Cancer (www.bowelcancer.org), has now been given the 'all clear'. 'I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 1997. I had experienced rectal bleeding for three to four months, and a persistent change in bowel habit for six weeks, so I went to see my GP quite quickly. I saw a consultant within three days, who immediately did a biopsy and found cancer.' Anne found out there had been bowel cancer in the family, 'My experience shows that you really do need to listen to your body. Although I did have some symptoms, I was not in any pain, had lost no weight and was in no discomfort at all. It was very lucky for me that I went to see my GP as soon as I did.' Skin cancer With over 4,100 cases of female skin cancer cases diagnosed each year, accordingn to Cancer Research UK, anyone who over-exposes herself to the harmful UV rays of the sun is at risk. Read more about the risk factors and easy steps for prevention.Find out how to financially prepare yourself for a health crisis. Find out more about women's cancers on iVillage. Get advice and help with issues relating to cancer on the Cancer Support Find out how to financially prepare yourself for a health crisis.
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