Cancer in women: prevention and early detection

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the United States. In 1998, there were approximately 600,000 new cases of cancer and 270,000 cancer deaths in U.S. women. Many of these cancer deaths are preventable. In 1987, lung cancer replaced breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. females. Cancer of the lung and bronchus was responsible for 25% of cancer deaths in U.S. women last year, killing approximately 67,000 women. It has been estimated that almost 90% of lung cancer deaths are associated with cigarette smoking and, therefore, are preventable. Some approaches to smoking cessation are reviewed. Breast cancer was responsible for 30% of cancers (178,700 women) and 16% of cancer deaths (43,500 women). Strategies for early detection and, possibly, for prevention are reviewed. The third most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer deaths in U.S. women is colorectal cancer. Strategies for prevention and early detection are addressed. Cancer of the reproductive system affects approximately 80,000 U.S. women each year and results in approximately 27,000 deaths. Current screening capabilities, as well as some of the limitations of our current screening technologies, are addressed. The healthcare team, working in concert with our patients, government, and the health insurance industry, should be able to substantially reduce both the incidence of and mortality from cancer in women.