What are the Most Common Types of Cancer in Women?
Every two minutes in the UK, someone is diagnosed with cancer. For women specifically, there are nearly 200,000 new cancer cases every year.
That’s why it’s vital that we are aware of the most common cancers in women, so we can better recognise the symptoms and get that all-important early diagnosis.
In this article, we will talk through six different types of cancer in women, the early signs to look out for, and how to reduce your risk.
Common types of gynaecological cancer
A gynaecological cancer is any cancer that starts in a female’s reproductive organs or genitals, which means they can only affect women and people assigned female at birth. To find out more about the most common gynaecological cancers, continue reading, below.
Cervical cancer | Endometrial cancer | Ovarian cancer
1. Cervical cancer
A common type of gynaecological cancer, cervical cancer is found anywhere in the cervix (the opening between the vagina and the womb). However, if it’s not caught early, the cancer cells can grow and spread to other areas of your body.
And while most other types of cancer are more common in older women, cervical cancer mainly affects younger women, typically under the age of 45. If you have a cervix, it’s important to be aware of the early warning signs of this type of gynaecological cancer.
What are the signs of cervical cancer to look out for?
Cervical cancer does not typically present symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to diagnose. That’s why all women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for a regular cervical screening every few years – previously known as a smear test.
There’s absolutely nothing to worry about in these screenings; a sample of cells will be taken from your cervix with a small, soft brush, which will then be sent to the lab.
However, if you notice any of the following gynaecological cancer symptoms between your regular cervical screenings, you should get them checked by your GP:
Pain during sex.
Unexplained pain in your lower back, or between your hip bones, between your pelvis, or in your lower tummy.
Changes to your vaginal discharge.
What are the risk factors of cervical cancer?
As previously mentioned, this gynaecological cancer is more common in younger females, with Cancer Research UK reporting that most cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in females aged 30 to 34.
However, nearly all cervical cancer cases are directly caused by an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a viral infection that can be passed in any close skin-to-skin contact, usually during sexual activity. In most cases, HPV is harmless or only causes genital warts, though some infections can cause changes that develop into cervical cancer.
To reduce your risk of getting this gynaecological cancer, it’s important to practise safer sex by using a condom. You can also get an HPV vaccine, though you should still attend regular cervical screenings, even after you’ve been vaccinated.
2. Endometrial cancer
Also known as womb cancer, endometrial cancer starts in the lining of the womb. If left untreated, those cancer cells can then spread to different organs and other parts of the body.
Endometrial cancer is most common in older women who have finished the menopause, typically over the age of 45. However, this type of gynaecological cancer can still occur in premenopausal women, and anyone with a womb is at risk.
What are the signs of endometrial cancer to look out for?
The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina – especially for post-menopausal women. The difficulty is that this gynaecological cancer symptom could also be the result of many other conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or a general thickening of your womb lining.
As such, you should also keep an eye out for following endometrial cancer symptoms too:
Abnormal bleeding from the vagina.
Changes to your vaginal discharge.
Lumps or swelling in your tummy or between your hip bones.
Pain during sex.
Blood in your urine.
Unexplained pain in your lower back or between your hip bones.
As with other types of cancer in women, experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have endometrial cancer – though you should still get checked by a GP.
What are the risk factors of endometrial cancer?
According to the NHS, high oestrogen levels are one of the main risk factors when it comes to endometrial cancer. These disproportionate hormone levels can be caused by:
Going through the menopause after 55: While oestrogen levels do drop significantly during menopause, if your progesterone levels decrease at a faster rate, you can still become oestrogen dominant after the menopause. This can increase your chances of getting this gynaecological cancer.
Being overweight or obese: Studies show that having a high percentage of body fat can lead to higher oestrogen levels. That’s why it’s important to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet to reduce the risk of this gynaecological cancer.
Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It’s common for women with PCOS to have an imbalance in certain hormones, such as having an increased level of oestrogen. As such, you should talk to your GP if you have or suspect you have PCOS.
3. Ovarian cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, there are over 7,000 new cases of ovarian cancer every year, making it one of the most common types of gynaecological cancers in the UK. This women’s cancer starts in the ovaries and then, if left untreated, can spread to the surrounding tissue and other parts of the body.
Typically, there are four types of ovarian cancer:
Epithelial ovarian cancer (affects the surface of the ovary).
Germ cell tumours (form in the ovarian cells that make eggs).
Stromal tumours (form in the connective tissue cells of your ovaries).
Borderline ovarian tumours (form in the tissue covering the ovary).
Anyone with ovaries can be affected by this type of gynaecological cancer, though it is most common in women over the age of 50.
What are the signs of ovarian cancer to look out for?
While the early warning signs of ovarian cancer can be quite difficult to detect, there are still some common symptoms that indicate you might need to be checked by your GP.
In fact, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that you should see your GP, if you experience the following symptoms 12 or more times per month:
Swollen tummy or constant bloating.
Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite.
Pain in your stomach.
Needing to wee more often or urgently.
Of course, it might turn out that these are not symptoms of gynaecological cancer but a less serious condition. By going to see your GP, however, you can get a more accurate diagnosis, either putting any worries to rest or catching this gynaecological cancer early.
What are the risk factors of ovarian cancer?
The risk of getting ovarian cancer increases as you get older, particularly from the age of 50. However, it’s worth remembering that anyone with ovaries can get this type of gynaecological cancer, so it’s important for everyone to understand the risks.
According to the NHS, the following factors can increase the risk of you getting ovarian cancer:
You've previously had breast or bowel cancer.
You’ve previously had radiotherapy treatment.
You’ve got endometriosis or diabetes.
You started your periods at a young age or went through menopause after the age of 55.
You’re taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
And while many of these risk factors are unavoidable, there are other ways you can reduce the risk of getting this gynaecological cancer. For example, by stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce your risk considerably. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, you can also talk to your primary care clinician about potential tests or treatments, even if you aren’t showing any symptoms.
Common cancers in women
Women are not only affected by gynaecological cancers; of course there is also a risk that women can be affected by cancers that men are at risk from too. For more information about these common cancers that affect women, continue reading, below.
Breast cancer | Lung cancer | Bowel cancer
1. Breast cancer
Breast cancer starts in the breast tissue, where abnormal breast cells grow and multiply, eventually forming tumours. If left undiagnosed and untreated, these tumours can then spread throughout the body, potentially becoming fatal.
According to Breast Cancer Now, breast cancer is the most common cancers in women in the UK. What’s more, Cancer Research UK estimates that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with this type of cancer in their lifetime.
It’s also important to note that, while breast cancer is more common in older women, it can affect any sex or gender at any age. That’s why it’s important to always be vigilant with and understand the signs of this cancer that affects women.
What are the signs of breast cancer to look out for?
The most noticeable potential sign of breast cancer is finding a lump on your breast or feeling like your breast is thickening. As such, you need to be checking your breasts regularly to better understand what’s normal for you, helping you keep on top of any abnormal changes to your breasts.
While checking your breasts, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
Lumps or swelling in your breast, chest, or armpit.
Changes to the size, shape, or feel of your breast.
Changes to the skin of your breasts, such as puckering, dimpling, rashes, or redness.
Changes to the position or appearance of your nipples.
Fluid leaking from your nipples, if you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding.
Don’t panic if you do notice any of these breast cancer symptoms, as most are commonly caused by other medical conditions. Even most breast lumps are not cancerous, often identified as harmless cysts or areas of normal lumpiness.
However, if you notice any of these potential symptoms of breast cancer, you still need to see your GP, who may refer you to a breast clinic. Here, you will have more tests and scans, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to check for this type of cancer in women, as well as rule out other conditions.
For women aged 50 to 70, you will be invited to these types of screenings every three years – though you shouldn’t wait for an invitation if you notice any of the above symptoms.
What are the risk factors of breast cancer?
As one of the most common cancers in women, it’s important to understand the risks of breast cancer – as well as how you can mitigate that risk.
In terms of the risks you can’t change, the following factors have been shown to increase the likelihood of getting breast cancer:
Getting older: Breast cancer is more common in women over 50 – though it’s important to be breast aware at all ages to catch the rarer cases of this cancer.
Family history of breast cancer: If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, the risk of you getting this type of cancer is higher. In fact, according to Cancer Research UK, having a first degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer approximately doubles the risk.
While there is no guaranteed way to fully prevent breast cancer, you can lower your chance of getting this type of cancer. For example, you can cut down on alcohol, try to quit smoking, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and talk to your GP about the potential effect of your contraceptive pill.
2. Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most serious and common cancers in the UK, with more than 40,000 men and women being diagnosed every year.
Typically, lung cancer can start in either your windpipe (trachea), main airway (bronchus), or in the actual lung tissue itself. This type of cancer can also spread from your lungs to elsewhere in your body, if left untreated.
And while it’s rare for anyone younger than 40 to be diagnosed with lung cancer, there are still cases that affect people of all ages. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of lung cancer, so you can catch a potential diagnosis as early as possible.
What are the signs of lung cancer to look out for?
The early stages of lung cancer do not always cause noticeable symptoms – and even then, those symptoms can be the result of another condition.
However, you should still be aware of the following symptoms for lung cancer:
A new persistent cough that won’t go away.
Coughing up blood.
Constantly feeling out of breath.
Constantly feeling tired.
Losing weight without trying to.
Aches or pains in your chest or shoulder.
As mentioned, experiencing any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer. However, you should still go to your primary care clinician to get an accurate diagnosis, even if it’s just ruling out lung cancer as the cause.
What are the risk factors of lung cancer?
While there are other factors that increase the risk of lung cancer, such as getting older or a family history of lung cancer, smoking is the single biggest risk factor.
According to the NHS, tobacco smoke contains more than 60 different toxic substances that are known to produce cancer. In fact, if you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per day, you are 25 times more likely to get lung cancer than someone who does not smoke.
To reduce your risk of getting lung cancer, it’s vital that you cut out smoking entirely or drastically reduce the regularity of this habit. The sooner you stop, the lower the risk of getting lung cancer.
3. Bowel cancer
Also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer is common in both men and women, starting in your bowels or rectum. Abnormal cells start to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way, sometimes growing into other organs and areas of the body.
When we talk about bowel cancer, we are typically talking about the following types of cancer:
Colon cancer (the first part of the large bowel).
Rectal cancer (the last part of the large bowel).
Anal cancer.
Small bowel cancer.
Much like with most other cancers in this article, the risk gradually increases as you get older – though it can still affect people at any age.
What are the signs of bowel cancer to look out for?
With bowel cancer, it’s important to be aware of your normal bowel habits, so you can more easily notice the signs when they appear.
The most common signs of bowel cancer include:
Bleeding from the rectum or blood in your poo.
Changes to your normal bowel habit, such as abnormal diarrhoea or constipation.
A lump in your stomach or back passage (rectum).
Stomach pain.
Losing weight without trying to.
Feeling nauseous.
Feeling bloated.
The NHS recommends that you should see primary care clinician, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms for 3 weeks or more. However, you should seek urgent attention if your poo is black or dark red, you have bloody diarrhoea, or you’re bleeding non-stop from your bottom.
H4: What are the risk factors of colorectal cancer?
While it’s not always clear what causes this cancer in women or men, there are certain factors that can make bowel cancer more likely:
Getting older: The risk of getting this cancer increases significantly for people over 50.
Family history of bowel cancer: Similar to other types of cancer, your risk increases if a close relative has previously had bowel cancer.
Severe bowel conditions: If you have a severe bowel condition, such as colitis or Crohn’s disease, then you may be more at risk of bowel cancer. In particular, if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition at an early age or there’s widespread inflammation in your colon, there is a higher risk of bowel cancer.
Being overweight or obese: Cancer Research UK reports that 11% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are linked to being overweight or obese. That’s why it’s important to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet to reduce the risk of this cancer.
Smoking and drinking too much alcohol: It’s also believed that drinking too much alcohol and smoking can increase your chance of getting bowel cancer, so it’s important to minimise these habits as much as possible.
How can Benenden Health help with women’s cancer?
You should make an appointment to see your GP if you’re worried about any of the types of women’s cancer in this article. However, if you’re a Benenden Health member, you can also call our 24/7 GP Helpline for medical advice from a qualified UK-based GP, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Benenden Health members can also access the 24/7 Mental Health Helpline to talk through worries and concerns. After 6 months of membership, our Cancer Support Service offers access to a registered nurse, who will provide emotional and practical support and advice.
*Because the NHS provides good care for cancer, cancer treatment is not included in Benenden Health membership. We may, however, able to assist with prompt diagnosis of any condition following a GP referral.
If you want to find out more about you and your body, head over to our women’s health hub.
Medically reviewed in July 2024.
