The CDC released statistics on the 10 most diagnosed cancers affecting women in this country as of 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Breast cancer leads the way, by more than double, over lung cancer, the second most common cancer in women.

The demographics of the disease show that white women were more likely than black women to contract breast cancer, followed by Hispanic women, Asian/Pacific Islander women and finally, American Indian/Alaskan Native women. The statistics did not show which of these groups had the highest survival rate which would be affected by access to care, education and income level.

In order then, the 10 most common cancer sites in women are:

1. Breast cancer (119.3 women diagnosed/100,000)
2. Lung (55.0 women/100,000)
3. Colon (41.1 women/100,000)
4. Uterine (23.7 women/100,000)
5. Thyroid (16.0 women/100,000)
6. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (15.7 women/100,000)
7. Melanoma (15.0 women/100,000)
8. Ovarian (12.3 women/100,00)
9. Kidney (10.8 women/100,000)
10. Pancreas (10.2 women/100,000)

There are ways to minimize one’s chances of developing some of these cancers by making sure mammograms, PAP tests and colonoscopies are done. If you smoke, quit, and if you think you need help to quit, see your provider – there are medications available.

For more statistical information, follow this link.