Cancers women should watch out for

Cancer is today one of the top three leading causes of death in India. Among women, female reproductive tract and breast cancers account for about 50-60 per cent of all cancer cases.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in urban women while cancer of the cervix is most common in rural women, according to Dr Nisha Buchade, consultant, gynaecologic oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru.

Happiest Health looks at the important types of cancer among women, how to identify them and the types of screening that might be of help.

Cancers among women

The main types of cancer among women are:

Breast: About 75,000 new cases every year in India and 70 per cent present in advanced stage. They present as a lump, bleeding nipple or retracted nipple. Women with over 40 years of age need to undertake a screening mammogram every year. If detected in the early stage, this type of cancer is readily treatable

Cervix: About 70,000 new cases every year and over 70 per cent are presented in advanced stage. They present with post-coital bleeding or foul-smelling vaginal discharge. During their reproductive age, women need to undergo pap smear tests that help detect problems at an early stage

Ovary: About 3-8 per cent of all cases. Usually presents as a vague dyspeptic symptom and is often detected in advanced stage due to delayed symptoms. There are no proper screening tests available. A routine ultrasound scan of the abdomen can be useful. Treatable with advanced surgeries and chemotherapy

Uterus: About 3-5 per cent of all cancer cases in women, it usually presents as post-menopausal bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding and is hence detectable in early stages. Surgery in early stage is found to have good survival benefits. An abdominal ultrasound every year can be used for screening

Vulvar: About 1-3 per cent of all cancer cases in women. It presents as mass, bleeding and swelling in the vulval region. Radioscopy is the first modality of treatment.