The First Step In Preparation: Appreciating
The Risk
Approximately one out of every three American women
will have some type of cancer at some point during their
lifetime. Cancer is a major threat to women's health,
but the kinds of cancer women are dying of might surprise
you. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS),
the most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women
is lung cancer. It's estimated that nearly 66,000 women
in the United States died of lung cancer in 2002, with
90 percent of these deaths linked to cigarette smoking.
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer
death in U.S. women, and it's estimated that more than
203,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.
The ACS estimates that about 40,000 women die each year
of breast cancer.
The third-leading cause of cancer death for women in
the United States is colorectal cancer. Like heart disease,
colorectal cancer is often mistakenly thought of as
a man's disease, but more women than men die of colorectal
cancer each year. Estimates suggest that it claims the
lives of approximately 28,000 women in the United States
annually.
At least one-third of all cancer deaths are related
to nutrition and other controllable lifestyle factors.
Do all you can to reduce your risks:
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Limit alcohol
- Have regular preventive health screenings
- Know your family medical history and review it with
your doctor
Understanding Cancer:
A Basic Overview
