Most common cancers affecting women
Cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, and is the second cause of mortality in the world after cardio-vascular disease. Rates of cancer in the developed world are double that of less developed regions, Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men globally, but is overshadowed by prostate cancer in certain westernised countries. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally.
According to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the incidence of cancer is expected to increase globally by 50 percent over the next 15 years, but “by 2020, the developing world is expected to account for almost two-thirds of all new [cancer] cases.” For every one cancer death in an affluent country, there will be three in the developing world.
Most common cancers affecting men in the United States and the European Union are: prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Most common cancers affecting women in developing countries
The shift and increase in cancers in the developing world has been linked to the adoption of a Westernized lifestyle and poverty. Tumours which can lead to cancers such as cervical cancer are untreated due to the high cost of treament and vaccines.
An AXIOS study 2009 found that the most frequent cancers affecting women in developing countries are:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
Most common cancers affecting women in developed countries
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Europe, Australia and the United States of America.
In Europe, the most common cancers are:
- Breast cancer (30.9% of all cases and 16.7% of cancer deaths)
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
In the United States, the most common cancers among white women* are:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- The second and third are reversed for black and Asian/Pacific Island women.
Sources
- http://www.axios-group.com/section/40
- http://cancer.iaea.org/cancercrisis.asp
- http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25264
- http://www.globalhealth.org/publications/article.php3?id=1758
- F. Bray, "International cancer patterns in men: geographical and temporal variations in cancer risk and the role of gender", Journal of Men's Health, vol. 1, issue 1, pages 38-46 (May 2004). [abstract on: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/jmhg/article/PIIS157189130400010X/abstract]'
- F. L. Kritz, "Addressing the Cancer Crisis in the Developing World", Global Health Council HealthLink, January 2008. Contributed by Francesca Lunzer Kritz. (93.52 KB)
