Cancer prevalence in women
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Global Cancer Prevalence in Women: Key Trends and Patterns
Major Cancer Types Affecting Women Worldwide
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally, accounting for the highest number of new cases and deaths compared to other cancers in women. It is followed by cancers of the cervix, uterus, ovary, colorectum, lung, and liver, which together make up about 60% of the total cancer burden in women worldwide Torre2017Yi2021Salman2023. In many developing countries, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, while ovarian and uterine cancers are less frequent but still significant Yi2021Yang2025.
Rising Incidence and Prevalence of Women’s Cancers
The incidence and prevalence of women’s cancers, especially breast cancer, have been increasing over the past decades. From 1990 to 2021, the number of new breast cancer cases, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost among women of reproductive age rose by over 100% globally, with the sharpest increases seen in regions with lower socioeconomic development Cai2025Salman2023Barclay2024. Similar upward trends are observed for gynecological cancers (cervical, ovarian, and uterine), particularly among perimenopausal women .
Geographic and Socioeconomic Disparities
There are significant geographic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer prevalence among women. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), cancer death rates are higher despite lower overall incidence, mainly due to limited access to early detection and treatment Torre2017Yi2021. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers are higher in countries with higher sociodemographic index (SDI), while cervical cancer is more common in countries with lower SDI Yi2021Yang2025. Health inequalities in the burden of gynecological cancers have widened, especially for cervical and uterine cancers .
Trends in Specific Cancers
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women, with its incidence rising in nearly every part of the world Yi2021Cai2025Salman2023+2 MORE. In the United States and the United Kingdom, breast cancer accounts for about 30% of all cancer cases in women, with a slight annual increase in incidence in recent years, particularly among younger women Ellington2022Barclay2024. Survival rates have improved due to better screening and treatment, but disparities persist .
Cervical, Ovarian, and Uterine Cancers
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in many developing regions, with its prevalence inversely related to socioeconomic development Yi2021Yang2025. Ovarian and uterine cancers are more prevalent in higher SDI countries, and the health inequality gap for these cancers is growing .
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer incidence among young women has been rising in several countries, sometimes surpassing rates in young men. This trend is not fully explained by differences in smoking patterns and highlights a need for further research Fidler-Benaoudia2020Jemal2018.
Regional Examples
In China, the 5-year cancer prevalence for women in 2011 was estimated at 3.81 million, with breast cancer being the most prevalent, followed by colorectal, lung, stomach, and esophageal cancers . In the UK, the prevalence of breast cancer in women increased 2.5-fold from 2000 to 2021, with survival rates also improving .
Conclusion
Cancer prevalence in women is rising globally, with breast cancer leading the burden, followed by cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers. There are marked disparities based on geography and socioeconomic status, with higher mortality in low-resource settings and growing health inequalities. Continued efforts in prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care are essential to address the increasing cancer burden among women worldwide Torre2017Yi2021Cai2025+3 MORE.
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