{"id":42577,"date":"2026-11-06T16:34:06","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T22:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hub.tamus.edu\/benefits\/?p=42577"},"modified":"2026-11-10T19:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T01:42:09","slug":"women-can-lower-their-risk-of-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hub.tamus.edu\/benefits\/women-can-lower-their-risk-of-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Women Can Lower Their Risk of Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Do you know that some of the most common cancers affecting women can be prevented or found earlier through routine screenings? If cancer is caught early, it greatly improves the chances of survival.\u00a0<\/p>

Taking care of yourself to cut your chances of getting cancer is a great health goal. But how exactly can you do that? Preventive care, including health screenings, is the place to start.<\/p>

The aim is to prevent cancer or find it at an earlier stage, when it is easier to treat. If you catch cancer early, it significantly improves your chances of survival.<\/p>

The cancers that most affect women are breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and skin.<\/p>

Breast Cancer<\/strong><\/p>

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., not counting skin cancer. It’s also the second-leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer.<\/p>

It can happen at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older. Things like family history can make the risk higher for some women. But every woman should know what they can do to help lower their risk, says the American Cancer Society.\u00a0<\/p>

What to Do: <\/strong>Having routine screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early. Talk to your health care provider about breast cancer, your risk factors and your family medical history.\u202f<\/p>

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women between the ages of 40 and 74 and at average breast cancer risk get a mammogram at least every two years.<\/p>

Lung Cancer<\/strong><\/p>

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in American women.<\/p>

What to Do:<\/strong> If you smoke now, or used to and are over 50, talk to your doctor about screening. Screening for lung cancer can help catch cancer earlier, but it isn\u2019t recommended for everyone. It\u2019s recommended for adults at high risk for getting the disease because of their smoking history and age. Find out more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\u00a0<\/p>

To cut your risk:<\/p>