Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans, following heart disease. While cancer affects both sexes, certain types are more prevalent in women. In fact, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers account for approximately 51% of all new cancer diagnoses in women, with breast cancer alone comprising about 32%. Additionally, women face unique risks for cancers of the reproductive system, such as cervical and ovarian cancers. Understanding how cancer affects women differently is the first step in empowering ourselves, our sisters, daughters, mothers, and friends to take charge of their health.
Here’s what to know about the top 7 most common cancers in women, including early warning signs, tips for prevention and stats on why screening and early detection matters.
Recommended Reading: Health Risks Women Face More Than Men
1. Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is primarily caused by overexposure to sunlight, which can damage skin cell DNA and lead to abnormal cell growth. It's the most common type of cancer in the United States for both women and men.
There are different types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma – the latter being the most dangerous due to its potential to spread. The risk of getting melanoma increases with age and is more common in people with lighter skin. Melanoma rates have been decreasing in women under 50 but are rising by about 3% annually in women over 50. It is more common with age and in individuals with lighter skin tones.
Early signs:
Skin cancer is one of the easiest forms of cancers to detect early. Symptoms can include:
- A new mole or one that has changed in color, shape, size or bleeds
- Waxy or pearly bump on face, ears or neck
- Areas on the skin that looks like scars
- A rough, scaly lesion that becomes crusty and can itch or bleed
- Flat, pink/red or brown patches or bumps
- Crusty sores that have a depression in the middle or bleed often
- A wound or sore that doesn’t heal or heals and comes back
Why early detection matters:
Skin cancer is among the most visible cancers, making early detection easier. When caught early, survival rates are significantly higher. For melanoma detected early, the 5-year survival rate can reach 99%.
Prevention:
The good news is that skin cancer is considered one of the most preventable cancers. Here are some steps to take:
- Avoid indoor tanning
- Stay in the shade during the sun’s peak hours (10am to 4 pm)
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, a wide brim hat and sunglasses
- Use broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours.
Recommended screening:
Perform a self check at home and keep an eye on changing moles. Doctors often use the ABCDE rule to help patients know what to look out for:
A: Asymmetry: Look for moles with irregular shapes
B: Border: Spots on the body that are blurry or have irregularly shaped edges are worth pointing out to your doctor
C: Color: Keep an eye on moles with more than one color
D: Diameter: Suspicious moles are typically larger than a pencil eraser (6mm)
E: Evolution: This is the most important sign. Moles that are changing in shape, color or size are important to get checked out immediately.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that people see a dermatologist once a year to have a full body mole check. If they find any they’d like to further evaluate, they will take a sample of them to send to the lab for a biopsy.
2. Breast Cancer
Due to recent advancements in detection and treatment, breast cancer deaths rates have been on the decline, having dropped by 44% since 1989. But it still remains the second most common cancer for women in the United States (next to some forms of skin cancer). It’s the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. and the leading cause of cancer death in non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women. Breast cancer currently accounts for 30% of new cancer cases in U.S. women and 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes.
Early signs:
Breast cancer can have a variety of symptoms but many women have no symptoms at all when diagnosed. Symptoms can include:
- Lumps in the breast or underarm
- Nipple pain, bleeding or discharge
- Redness or swelling in one or both breasts
- Changes in nipples or breast tissue - flatter nipples, rashes, dimpling, indentations
- Swelling in breasts, armpits or near collarbone
- Cysts
- Clogged milk glands or bread infections
Why early detection matters:
Early detection of breast cancer significantly improves treatment options, effectiveness and success. Breast cancers detected during mammograms are more likely to be smaller and less likely to have spread outside the breast. And when breast cancer is detected early and localized, it has a 5-year relative survival rate of 99%. The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed at Stage 4 is 32%.
Prevention:
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week
- Breastfeed, if possible (has been said to have some protective benefits to women)
- Quit smoking
- Limit hormone therapy after menopause (talk to your doctor as some hormone therapy may raise your risk)
- Know your family history: Those at a higher risk should talk to their doctors about getting tested for specific genes.
Recommended screening:
Mammograms remain the gold standard when it comes to breast cancer screenings. Recommendations on how often to have one vary by organization but per the American Cancer Society:
- Women 40 to 44 can start with an annual mammogram
- Women 45 to 54 should have an annual mammogram
- Women 55+ can switch to every other year - or continue annual screening
3. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is currently the fourth-leading cancer causing death in United States women. It’s estimated that in 2025, there will be 52,810 new cases of colon cancer and 19,000 new cases of rectal cancer in women. Women have a 1 in 26 rate of developing colorectal cancer throughout their lifetimes. The death rates have been dropping in older adults, however, in recent years, they’ve been rising about 1% per year in those under 55.
Early signs:
Many people with colon cancer don’t exhibit symptoms at first. Once symptoms appear, they can include:
- Changes in bowel habits - i.e. more frequent diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- Discomfort that lingers in the abdominal area (gas, cramps or pain)
- Feeling like the bowel doesn’t completely empty after elimination
- Feeling tired or weak
- Unexplained weight loss
Why early detection matters:
Screening can help to catch colorectal cancer early, greatly improving treatment options and survival rates. It can also help to prevent colorectal cancer, as a polyp can take as many as 10 to 15 years to develop into cancer and doctors can remove polyps they identify during a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancers caught in a localized early stage have a 91% 5-year survival rate. The 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer that has metastasized into other areas of the body is 15.6%.
Prevention:
- Eat a healthy diet, prioritizing fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Eat less red and processed meats
- Prioritize exercise, as some research suggests that staying active may help to reduce your risk
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Don’t smoke and quit if you’re a current smoker
- Reduce alcohol consumption, as alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.
Recommended screening:
Adults ages 45 to 75 should be regularly screened for colorectal cancer. There are several different methods of testing, including a colonoscopy. Your doctor will recommend how often you need to be screened but it’s generally once every 10 years unless you’ve had an abnormal test that showed the presence of polyp. Additional testing options include fecal occult blood tests, antibody tests and a stool DNA test.
4. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in American women. Around 226,650 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 2025, of those 115,970 in women. Historically, men tended to have higher rates of lung cancer, though rates are increasing in women, especially in some groups like adults under 65.
The average age of diagnosis of lung cancer is 70 and this disease is responsible for 1 in 5 cancer related deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than they do of breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. A woman’s chance of developing lung cancer is 1 in 17 within their lifetime.
Early signs:
The majority of lung cancer cases don’t show symptoms until they have spread. But some people can exhibit early signs of lung cancer, which can include:
- Reduced appetite
- Lingering fatigue
- A persistent cough
- Aches or pains when coughing
- Chest infections that don’t respond to medical treatments
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Coughing up blood
- Wheezing
Why early detection matters:
Lung cancer has one of the lowest 5-year survival rates, as it's often caught after symptoms occur when it has progressed into later stages. Finding lung cancer early can significantly increase one's chances of successful treatment and reduces one’s chances of dying of the disease. Caught early, lung cancer may respond better to treatments like surgery or radiation, curing it or lengthening one’s life. It’s especially important to be screened for it when you're at high risk as typically when symptoms appear, it’s too late for curative treatments.
Prevention:
- Refrain from smoking and quitting if you are a current smoker
- Avoid all products with tobacco
- Stay away from secondhand smoke, which can increase your risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30%.
- Avoid radon exposure at home and on the job. Nearly 1 in 15 U.S. homes can have high levels of radon, which is linked to increased risks of lung cancer. Test your home for radon exposure with an over-the-counter radon test kit.
- Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, reducing processed foods
Recommended screening:
There is no standardized annual screening for all people, however, the American Cancer Society recommends that those at higher risk get a yearly low-dose CT scan. This demographic includes:
- People ages 50 to 80 who smoke or used to smoke
- Those who have a history of smoking 20 or more packs a year (A person who smoked 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a year for 10 years).
- People with a family history of lung cancer or a past history of having lung cancer
5. Cervical Cancer
This type of cancer involves a growth of cells that starts in the cervix. Most cervical cancers are due to strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection passed through sexual contact. The majority of people who come into contact with HPV don’t have it develop into cancer, however, a small percentage harbor the virus for years, which can eventually lead to cancerous cells.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women across the globe. It’s most commonly diagnosed in women around age 50 and rarely develops in women under 20. This cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in American women and the death rate for Black and Native American women is 65% higher than in White women.
Early signs:
Early stages of cervical cancer often don’t have symptoms, which makes regular screening extra important. Once symptoms develop, they can include:
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, in between periods or after menopause
- Menstrual bleeding that is suddenly heavier and lasts longer
- Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
- Vaginal discharge that is bloody, watery, and has a foul odor
Why early detection matters:
Cervical cancer found early is often easier to treat, as this cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Early detection through screenings can also prevent precancerous cells from turning into cervical cancer.
Prevention:
- HPV vaccination, which can be given at age 11 and is recommended up to age 26
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Talk to your doctor about the use of oral birth control as this may increase your risk
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Condoms, which can decrease the risk of HPV transmission
Recommended screening:
Pap tests, which involve a vaginal swab and cell culture are the main forms of testing. There is also an HPV test, which is performed in a similar manner and uses a soft brush to collect cells from the outside of the cervix. It’s recommended that people ages 21 to 29 get a Pap every 3 years. Those ages 30 to 65 should get a Pap test every 3 years, an HPV test every 5 years or an HPV/Pap cotest every 5 years. Those 65 and up may not need additional screenings unless instructed to by their doctors based on their individual risk conditions.
6. Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer, often referred to as uterine cancer, occurs when cancerous cells appear in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This is the most common cancer that affects a woman’s reproductive system. Around 3% of women receive a diagnosis at some point in their lives with an estimated 65,000 of women being diagnosed every year.
Early signs:
Endometrial cancer is most often diagnosed due to irregular vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause
- Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
- Difficult or painful urination
Why early detection matters:
Catching endometrial cancer early significantly improves access to more effective treatments and can increase one’s chances of beating the disease. The 5-year survival rate is 96% when the cancer is localized and has not spread outside of the uterus and 20% in later stages when it has spread to distant organs such as the lungs or liver.
Prevention:
- Maintain a healthy weight, as obesity increases a woman’s risk
- Breastfeeding has been linked to a reduced risk
- Hormonal birth control pills (estrogen and progesterone combinations) have been linked to a reduced risk
- Know your family history. Women with a family history are at increased risk and should talk to their doctor about screenings.
- Stay physically active
Recommended screening:
There are currently no recommended screenings to detect endometrial cancer. Doctors usually test once symptoms present through pelvic exams, transvaginal ultrasounds, endometrial biopsy or a Pap smear (not a screening for this type of cancer but can sometimes show signs of an abnormal endometrium).
7. Ovarian Cancer
A type of cancer that can begin in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. This cancer typically develops in older women, usually ages 63 and older. It’s estimated that in 2025, 20,890 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 12,730 women will die from it. A woman’s risk of getting diagnosed is 1 in 91 throughout her lifetime.
Early signs:
Ovarian cancer doesn’t always show signs in early stages and is often referred to as a silent disease. Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
- Bloating
- Lingering fatigue
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling full quickly
- Back pain
- Frequent need to urinate
Why early detection matters:
Early detection of ovarian cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. The 5-year survival rate when caught in stage 1 is 90%.
Prevention:
- Having used birth control is correlated with a reduced risk
- Giving birth can reduce your risk
- Some studies suggest that breastfeeding may put you at lower risk
- Those who have had their tubes tied, tubed removed or had a hysterectomy are at lower risk
Recommended screening:
Unlike the PAP test and cervical cancer, there is no formal recommended screening for ovarian cancer. Those with a family history (20% of cases are thought to be genetic) are encouraged to speak to their doctors about being tested for specific genes and to get screened via methods like transvaginal ultrasounds and blood tests.
Only 14% of cancers are currently detected through routine screenings
While mammograms remain the gold standard for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colon cancer, most cancers don’t have established screening guidelines. In fact, 86% of cancers are either not detected through routine testing or have no recommended screening protocols at all.
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The best part? It’s non-invasive, radiation-free, and performed without contrast or dyes. Plus, you can relax and watch your favorite show or movie in our open-bore MRI machine during the scan.
Prenuvo isn’t a replacement for standard screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies—it’s a powerful tool that complements them, offering a deeper look into your health and delivering valuable insights to help you get ahead of conditions—or confidently rule them out for peace of mind.
Learn how Prenuvo can help you screen for the 7 most common cancers women—and much more—by scheduling a call with a member of our team.
