THE GOOD NEWS
Nearly 9 out of 10 women could survive it

STAY ALERT
Check your breast monthly
Age 20 ?40 : Have a health care professional check your breasts every 3 years.
Age 40: Have your first mammogram ( breast x-ray)
Age 40- 50 : Have a health care professional check your breasts every year. Have a mammogram year or two. (ask how often)
Over age 50: Have a health care professional check your breasts every year. Have a mammogram every year.

SEE YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:
You find a lump
You notice any other changes in your breasts.

LUNG CANCER
THE FACTS
Is the leading cancer killer of women
Approximately 62,000 women die each year
Almost all lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoking

THE GOOD NEWS
More the 40,000 women wouldn't have to die of lung cancer each year ? if they just didn't smoke.
If you quit early enough, most damage from smoking will heal.

STAY ALERT
DON'T SMOKE ? NO CIGARETTE IS SAFE
Can't quit yet? Smoke less, especially cigarettes low in tar and nicotine.
Don't use smokeless tobacco products (chewing tobacco, snuff)
Stay away from people who are smoking

SEE YOU HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:
You have a nagging or painful cough that doesn't go away
You cough up blood
You chest hurts all the time

UTERINE CANCER
(CERVICAL / ENDOMETERIAL)
THE FACTS
Approximately 48,600 new cases a year
Can strike women at any age

THE GOOD NEWS
Fewer women die from cancer of the uterus each year ? because they have regular Pap test and pelvic examinations
The Pap test detects signs of cervical cancer early, usually in time to cure it

STAY ALERT
Have a Pap teat every year of you are:
Over 18
Sexually active
You are more likely to get endometrial cancer if you are: Over 40, overweight, taking hormones, have abnormal bleeding, are infertile, or do not ovulate

SEE YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDE IF :
You have any abnormal bleeding
You have reached menopause and are overweight or taking hormones

COLON AND RECTUM CANCER
THE FACTS
About 67,500 new cases a year
Third major cancer killer
Most often strikes people over age 50

THE GOOD NEWS
Finding out early can save more than 4 out of 5 people

STAY ALERT
People most likely to get this cancer:
Have ulcerative colitis (a painful condition your health care professional can diagnose)
Have a family member with colon or rectum cancer
Have a family member with polyps in the colon or rectum
Over age 40: Have a digital rectal exam each year
Over age 50 : Ask your health care professional what kind of regular exams you need.

SEE YOU HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF :
You are bleeding from the rectum
You see blood in your stool
You see a persistent change in your bowel movements
You have cramping pain in your abdomen

SKIN CANCER
THE FACTS
Women with light skin are more likely to get it
About 2,700 women die each year from melanoma, a serious skin cancer

THE GOOD NEWS
Most skin cancers can be cured

STAY ALERT
Avoid mid- day sun and too much exposure to the sun
When you or your family members are outside, make sure to cover up exposed skin - Wear clothing that head, arms, neck, and legs
Use a "sun blocker" lotion or crème ( SPF 15)
Have your skin exam during your regular health
Checkup and learn to do skin self- examination.

SEE YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:
A birthmark, mole, or other spot on your skin starts to change color

WOMEN AND CANCER
Too many women die each year from cancer. Cancer of the breast, lung, uterus, colon, or rectum are the most common cancers that attack women.
Protect yourself by reading the information in this booklet. Keep a copy where you can look at it if you have any questions
Early detection (finding out right away that a cancer is growing) gives you the best chance to be cured.
A health care professional can answer many questions and give you any tests you need. If you're between age 20 and 20, have yourself checked for cancer once every three years. Over 40, get checked every year.

CANCER: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
There are no guarantees, but there is hope.
The American Cancer Society knows a lot about what seems to cause cancer. They also know that finding cancer early makes treatment easier and more effective.
Thousands of people each year are "cured" of cancer. "Cured" means there is no evidence of disease and the patient's life expectancy is the same as one who has never had cancer. Better yet, thousands more are learning how to be "cancer smart."
Reading this booklet is one way to be "cancer smart." Read it carefully, and keep it where you can read it again later.
When you have a question, no matter how small, ask a health care provider or call the American Cancer Society. Getting answers is one of the best ways to protect yourself!!!

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IS THE NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY- BASED VOLUNTARY HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING CANCER AS A MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM BY PERVERTING CANCER. SAVING LIVES AND DIMINISHING SUFFERING FROM CANCER. THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND SERVICES.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ®