9 things every woman needs to know about cancer

A little knowledge can go a long way in helping to reduce your risk

Do you know your body? In Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the focus is on knowing how to check your breasts and recognise symptoms, but it’s also a great time to wise up about other female cancers, too.

Early detection is key to survival rates. However, embarrassment, fear and lack of time or knowledge mean we often don’t put our health first. ‘Time to change,’ says Tracie Miles, gynae nurse specialist for The Eve Appeal charity, who sits on the board of the British Gynaecological Society.

Womb cancer is the most common gynae cancer and fourth most common cancer in women (after breast, bowel and lung).

It usually occurs postmenopause, but any unusual or unmanageable bleeding during perimenopause should be checked.

Obesity has been linked with 13 different types of cancer.

Obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer, and being overweight after menopause increases breast cancer risk – oestrogen is produced by fat cells and plays a role in many breast cancers. Waist size matters, too – a healthy size is up to 31.5in or 80cm for women.

Vulval cancer is the second rarest gynae cancer and is a dermatological condition.

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that is quite common and causes itching around the vulva. It is easily treated with low-dose steroid cream but can, in very rare cases, develop into cancer. Lichen planus is part of the same family but is more likely to affect gums and fingernails. Vaginal cancer, another skin cancer, is the rarest gynae cancer and is most common in those over 60. Symptoms include unexpected bleeding, discharge that smells or is blood stained, pain during sex or a persistent vaginal itch and pain when having a wee.

Just 20 minutes of physical activity a day can reduce your breast cancer risk.

Although it’s not yet fully understood why, it’s probably to do with altering hormone levels and boosting the immune system, says Eluned Hughes, head of public health and information at Breast Cancer Now. Even doing everyday activities, such as mowing the lawn, pushing a buggy or vacuuming, is good, as well as taking part in sports, like swimming or cycling.

More than one in four women with ovarian cancer are only diagnosed in emergency departments at a later stage.

Although it is the second most common gynae cancer, it is hard to detect. Symptoms are persistent bloating (for three weeks or more rather than bloating that comes and goes), a bigger abdomen, persistent pelvic and abdominal pain, unexplained changes in bowel habits, difficulty eating, and feeling full quickly or nauseous. Over eight in 10 cases occur in women aged 50-plus.

Embarrassment and uncertainty about how everything fits together down there can cost lives.

There are five gynae cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal – but an Eve Appeal poll revealed that one in seven women can’t name each of these body parts. And it’s younger women who know least, but a key reason across all ages for not seeing a GP about concerns is embarrassment.

Regularly drinking alcohol, even within recommended guidelines, is linked with a higher risk of breast cancer.

Why this is, scientists are still not sure, but it may be to do with hormone levels. Not drinking, except on special occasions, may be something to consider, especially if you have other risk factors, such as family history.

Nearly, but not all, cervical cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)

HPV can lie dormant for 10 years or more, so it’s important to get checked and keep screening appointments, even if you’ve had the same partner for ages. Smoking also increases the risk – another reason to quit.

Developing IBS symptoms over 50 should be checked out

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) usually starts in women in their mid-20s to 30s and is unlikely to suddenly appear if you’re 50-plus, says Tracie. Symptoms that can be signs of ovarian cancer, such as bloating, abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits, can sometimes mistakenly be dismissed as IBS. (For more information on gut health, turn to page 77.)