By Isabel Lopez, Public Affairs Intern, Society for Women’s Health Research
Cancer remains one of the leading health challenges for women, even with advances in screening, diagnostics, and treatment. Early detection can make a significant difference, helping identify cancer at stages when treatment options are more effective, and survival rates are higher.
The impact of cancer on women’s health remains substantial. There are an estimated 3.7 million women living with breast cancer in the United States, and breast cancer incidence rates among women have continued to increase in recent years. Ovarian cancer, while less common, remainsone of the deadliest gynecologic cancers, with a woman’s lifetime risk estimated at approximately 1 in 78.
Addressing these challenges requires more than medical innovation. Collaboration acrossresearchers, patients, providers, advocacy organizations, and public health leaders can helpempower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Understanding personal cancer risk factors and staying up to date on recommended screenings are important steps towardbetter outcomes. Screening and diagnostic tools also play a critical role in reducing health disparities by helping ensure that more people have access to timely care.
Knowing your risks is one of the first steps in cancer care. Every individual has a unique combination of factors that may influence their likelihood of developing cancer.
Some risk factors cannot be changed, including age, family history, inherited genetic mutations, and biological sex. Having open and honest conversations about family health history can be difficult, but these discussions are often essential. Information about relatives who have been diagnosed with cancer, particularly at younger ages, can help health care providers better assess risk and recommend appropriate screenings.
Other risk factors may be influenced by lifestyle or environmental factors. Smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, exposure to environmental toxins, and certain occupational hazards have all been associated with increased cancer risk. Understanding these factors can help individuals make informed decisions about prevention and screening.
Awareness is not about predicting who will develop cancer. Rather, it is about ensuring people have the information they need to protect their health. The SWHR Value of Diagnostics within Women’s Health series explores these topics, with a special focus on breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, making early detection especially important. Approximately one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
Several factors can increase breast cancer risk, including age, particularly after age 50; family history of breast or ovarian cancer; BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations; and having a personal history of breast disease or breast cancer. While these risk factors cannot always be modified, understanding them can inform your health decisions.
Mammography remains one of the most effective tools for detecting breast cancer. Additionaldiagnostic technologies include digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Early detection can increase treatment options and improve outcomes. Researchers are also continuing to explore more personalized screening approaches that take individual risk factors into account, helping move beyond one-size-fits-all recommendations.
Read more about breast cancer screening options in the SWHR Value of Diagnostics within Women’s Health: Breast Cancer fact sheet.
Many people still associate lung cancer exclusively with smoking, but the reality is far more complex. Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both women and men, and not everyone diagnosed has a history of tobacco use.
Although smoking remains the primary risk factor, additional contributors may include smoking history, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon exposure, air pollution, and a family history of lung cancer. Emerging research also suggests that lung cancer in women may have distinct biological and environmental drivers that warrant further investigation.
Lung cancer symptoms often do not appear until the disease has advanced. As a result, screening plays a critical role. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is recommended for adults at high risk and has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality through earlier detection.
Increasing awareness of screening eligibility criteria can help more people access care. Learn more in the SWHR Value of Diagnostics within Women’s Health: Lung Cancer fact sheet.
Unlike breast and lung cancer, there is currently no recommended routine screening test for ovarian cancer for women at average risk. This makes awareness of risk factors and symptoms especially important.
Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer. Although a woman’s lifetime risk is approximately 1 in 78, many cases are diagnosed at later stages because symptoms can be vague and easily mistaken for other conditions.
Risk factors include family history of ovarian or breast cancer, inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as increasing age. Women with elevated risk may benefit from additional discussions with their health care providers. Because routine screening is not available for the general population, recognizing symptoms is critical. Common symptoms include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and changes in urinary habits. When symptoms or risk factors raise concern, diagnostic tools such as transvaginal ultrasound, blood tests, and biopsy may help guide diagnosis and treatment.
Women should be encouraged to speak up when something feels different and have timelyconversations with their providers.
Check out more in the SWHR Value of Diagnostics within Women’s Health: Ovarian Cancer fact sheet.
Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix and is one of the most preventable cancers through vaccination and routine screening. Persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Risk factors include persistent HPV infection, smoking, a weakened immune system, and lack of routine screening. Learn more from the World Health Organization
Endometrial Cancer: Endometrial cancer begins in the lining of the uterus and is the fourth most common cancer among women. Currently, there are no routine screening tests. Awareness of abnormal vaginal bleeding and other symptoms remains important for early detection. Learn more from the American Cancer Society.
Melanoma: Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is more common in women than men before age 50. Intermittent sun exposure, frequent sunburns, and indoor tanning can increase melanoma risk. Regular skin checks, sun protection, and awareness of changes in moles or skin lesions are important. Learn more from the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer disproportionately affects women, particularly during their reproductive years. Many thyroid cancer diagnoses occur in women between the ages of 30 and 60. Increased use of diagnostic technologies has contributed to a rise in thyroid cancer diagnoses worldwide. Learn more from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Improving cancer outcomes requires collaboration among patients, researchers, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers. Education enables individuals to better understand cancer risk factors and screening options. Research advances diagnostic technologies and can identifyopportunities for earlier detection. Patient stories and community engagement can help reduce stigma, increase awareness, and encourage open conversations about health.
As personalized approaches to medicine, including cancer screening evolve, understanding individual risk will become increasingly important. Knowing your cancer risk factors and staying informed about available screening options can support earlier detection and improved well-being.
While every cancer is different, awareness, education, and access to diagnostics remain powerful tools for improving outcomes. By sharing knowledge and learning from one another, we can help more people detect cancer earlier, receive timely care, and ultimately save lives.
* The blog is intended to serve as an educational and informative resource and is not intended or implied to serve as a substitute for medical or professional advice. The Society for Women’s Health Research does not make medical, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations, nor does it endorse or promote specific screening or diagnostic tests. Patients and consumers should confirm information and consult a professional health care provider to determine individual needs. The Society will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising therefrom.