Statistics on cancer incidence among women show that Polish women suffer from lung cancer more and more often. The report published by the National Institute of Public He alth shows that the higher incidence of malignant neoplasms than in EU countries is due to low awareness of the need for preventive examinations.
The reportof the National Institute of Public He alth - National Institute of Hygienepresented at the beginning of 2013 shows that the statistics on malignant neoplasms have changed in recent years. Until recently, women mainly suffered from breast cancer. Today they are more likely to die of lung cancer.
Despite the rapid development of medicine, cancer mortality among Polish women is decreasing very slowly compared to other EU countries. The most important reasons are still too low awareness of preventive examinations (cytology and mammography) and the fashion for smoking. For this reason, mortality from lung cancer has increased. In 2010, 40,793 women in Poland died of malignant tumors.
The most common cancers in women (as of 2010):
1. Malignant neoplasms of trachea, bronchi, lungs (23.6%)
2. Malignant neoplasm of the breast (breast cancer) (19.8%)
3. Malignant neoplasm of the large intestine (16.2%)
4. Malignant neoplasm of the cervix (7.1%)
5. Malignant neoplasm of the stomach (6.4%)
Lung cancer
The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. Cigarette smoke contains 4,000 carcinogenic substances. The disease develops asymptomatically and does not make itself felt even for a dozen or so years. Only when chronic cough, chest pains, shortness of breath, wheezing appear, do we begin to suspect that the disease may have already developed.
Breast cancer (breast cancer)
Until recently, it was the most common malignant neoplasm in women. The risk of developing breast cancer is increased by the presence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the first menstruation before the age of 12, menopause after the age of 55, late first pregnancy (after the age of 30), smoking.
When to do a mammogram?
Colon cancer
The absence of symptoms of the disease is a common reason why colorectal cancer is detected too late. Ifdisturbing constipation, prolonged diarrhea, nausea or a feeling of incomplete bowel movements appear, it is worth going for tests to rule out colon cancer.
Cervical cancer
It is one of the most common cancers of the female genital organs. Over 7% of female cancer deaths are due to cervical cancer. The disease is caused by the human papillomavirus HPV, and infection occurs through direct sexual contact. The disease affects women over the age of 25, so regular smear tests are recommended.
How often do I have a Pap smear?
Malignant neoplasm of stomach
The risk of falling ill is increased by eating s alty and cured foods. Symptoms of the disease include feeling full, loss of appetite, weight loss, tarry stools and upper abdominal pain. The disease is largely influenced by lifestyle and nutrition, as well as smoking, as well as genetic predisposition.
National Institute of Public He alth - National Institute of Hygiene