Common cancers in women: How to reduce your risk

One in 3 omen will get cancer in their lifetime. The reality is that many of us will be affected by cancer in some way, whether it’s ourselves or someone we love. And while you can’t completely prevent cancer, you can take steps to lower your risk – or catch it early when it’s more treatable.

Here’s what you need to know about your risk factors, screenings, and ways to lower your risk.

Know your cancer risk factors

You can’t control all your cancer risk factors, but understanding them helps you and your doctor make the best decisions for your care. Kaiser Permanente ob-gyn Ericka Gibson, MD, who works at the Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Atlanta, says doctors usually consider 3 main risk factors for cancer in women.

• Age — While you can get cancer at any age, your risk increases as you get older. Most cancer cases are in people 50 and older.¹
• Reproductive history —  Have you ever wondered why your doctor asks about your menstrual cycle at most check-ups? The more often your ovaries produce hormones, the more likely you are to develop cancer cells. If you get your first period earlier in life or experience menopause later, your exposure to those hormones goes up. When you get pregnant, your cycle stops for a while and your hormone exposure goes down. Breastfeeding can also lower your risk of breast cancer. And using birth control, like the birth control pill, affects your hormones and can play a role in your risk of different cancers.
• Family health history — Some cancers are hereditary, or passed down through families. That’s why it’s important to talk to your immediate family members about their health history. It might feel like an awkward conversation, but knowing what health risks run in your family can help you and your doctor understand your risk and what tests you may need.

Reduce your cancer risk by making changes in your daily life

While you can’t change your age or family health history, you can reduce your cancer risk in other ways. In fact, 2 in 5 cancers are preventable:² 

• Wear sunscreen daily. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation contributes to 90% of melanomas, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. To protect your skin from UV rays, wear SPF 30+ sunscreen daily — even if it’s cloudy — and reapply every 2 hours. You can also create more protection by wearing hats or clothing with built-in UV protection.
• Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke contribute to 16% of all cancer cases in women. And Dr. Gibson says vaping and e-cigarettes carry the same risks. Quitting is hard, but your doctor can help you find ways to make it easier. Your doctor may recommend taking medication, joining a support group, or getting wellness coaching.
• Exercise regularly and eat healthy. Excess body weight contributes to almost 11% of cancer cases in women. Maintain a healthy weight by regularly exercising and eating nutritious foods. Every week, aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity. Dr. Gibson also suggests eating a plant-based diet that’s lower in red meat and processed food.
• Cut down on alcohol. Women have a higher chance of getting cancer from drinking alcohol than men. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1 drink a day is a moderate amount of drinking for women. If you regularly drink more than that, consider making a plan to cut down. And if you’re having trouble, talk to your doctor about medicines, behavior therapy, and social support groups that can help you drink less.

Catch cancer early with regular screenings 

The best way to fight cancer is by catching it early when it's more treatable. The earlier you start treatment, the better your chance of recovery.

Discuss your cancer risk factors with your doctor. They’ll create a screening schedule based on your age, health, family history, and unique risk factors. Even if you don’t have symptoms or risk factors, you should make regular screenings part of your health routine. Here are some of the most common cancers in women and how your doctor may screen for them.

Breast cancer

You can get breast cancer at any age, but your risk goes up as you get older. It’s best to get screened every other year once you turn 40 — earlier if you’re at high risk due to your genes or family history.

Your doctor may recommend one of these screening options based on your personal risk factors:

• Clinical breast exam — Your doctor or nurse will feel your breasts and under your arms to check for lumps, pain, or changes in size.
• Mammogram — A breast X-ray is the most common test to screen for breast cancer.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — If you’re at high risk, you may get an MRI. It scans for problems that can’t be seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, or CT scan.

Dr. Gibson also recommends doing your own breast self-exams to become familiar with your breasts and check for changes. “Most lumps and changes are actually found by patients or their partners,” she says.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is usually caused by too much exposure to the sun and can spread to other parts of your body. The best way to catch skin cancer early is to check your skin every month for changes in moles and sun spots. Small changes in your skin over time are OK. But if you see changes you aren’t sure about, have your doctor take a look.

Women with lots of moles, fair skin, blue eyes, red hair, or a family history of skin cancer will need to check their skin more often. If you fall into any of those categories, ask your doctor if you need regular full-body skin screenings. 

Lung cancer

Lung cancer usually forms in the cells that line your airways. Anyone can get lung cancer, but smoking increases your risk. 

Your doctor may recommend a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer if:

• You’re between 50 and 80
• You still smoke
• You’ve quit smoking in the past 15 years. 

They’ll also recommend a screening if you smoked an average of:

• 1 pack of 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years, called 20 “pack-years”
• 2 packs a day for 10 years
• Any other combination that adds up to 20 pack-years

Colon cancer

Also called colorectal cancer, colon cancer starts when a small growth, or polyp, appears in your colon or rectum.

You’ll start getting screened for colon cancer when you turn 45 — earlier if you’re at high risk. Your doctor will recommend how often you get one of the following screening options:

• At-home stool sample test
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography
• Colonoscopy

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and grows in the cervix. It often develops in women ages 35 to 44. Fortunately, the HPV vaccine can dramatically decrease your risk of cervical cancer.³ Still, you should start getting tested for cervical cancer when you turn 21 — even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine: 

• Between ages 21 and 29, you’ll get a Pap test every 3 years
• Between ages 30 and 65, you’ll get a Pap test every 3 years, an HPV test every 5 years, or a combined Pap/HPV test every 5 years

When getting a Pap test, your doctor may also perform a pelvic exam to check your reproductive organs, like your uterus and ovaries, for any signs of cancer.

If you've had a history of normal screening results, you may no longer need cervical cancer testing after you turn 66. 

Get genetic testing if you need it  

Remember that your family history can put you at risk for cancer. About 5% to 10% of all cancers are caused by genetic mutations inherited from a parent.⁴ Genetic testing can help determine if you have those mutations and are at risk for developing hereditary cancers like breast or ovarian cancer.

Having a genetic mutation doesn’t mean you’ll get cancer. But it can help you and your doctor make more informed decisions about your care.

Make sure your doctor has you and your family’s complete health history. Your doctor may refer you for genetic testing if: 

• Several people in your family have had similar cancers
• Your ethnicity or regional background puts you at higher risk for certain cancers
• You developed cancer at a young age

Remember your care team’s support

Dr. Gibson emphasizes that your care team is there to help you prevent cancer. They can give you guidance on how to live your healthiest life. And they’ll get to know you and your family history. That way, they can recommend regular screenings to catch cancer early, so you have the best chance of a good outcome and many more healthy years.