Cancer - Women in California

California

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. The most common cancer among women is breast cancer, accounting for 32% of new cases. The deadliest cancer among women is lung cancer, which accounts for 21% of cancer deaths among women. 

The biggest risk factor for cancer is aging. Other cancer risks include tobacco use, environmental carcinogens, genetic factors and viral and bacterial infections. 

The national cost of cancer care was projected to be $208.9 billion in 2020, which is likely an underestimate due to rising treatment costs. Assuming the number of new diagnoses and the rate of survival remain constant, those costs are expected to increase to $246 billion by 2030.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of cancer is higher among: 

• Women ages 35-44 compared with those ages 18-34.
• American Indian/Alaska Native, white and multiracial women compared with Asian women.
• Women with an annual household income less than $25,000 compared with those who have higher levels of income.
• Women living in non-metropolitan areas compared with women in metropolitan areas.
• Women who have difficulty with self-care than women without a disability.

A 2022 study identified a rising trend in aggressive uterine and breast cancer diagnoses, disproportionately affecting Black women. While the incidence rates of uterine cancer were similar for Black women and white women, the mortality rate was twice as high for Black women. Black women also experience higher rates of aggressive breast cancer subtypes, such as estrogen-receptor–negative and triple-negative, than the general population. 

While there is no universal cure, there are ways for providers and individuals to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some evidence-based approaches include: 

• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking at any age will lower the risk of developing cancer. Smoking is responsible for approximately 19% of all cancers. Engaging in more physical activity and reducing alcohol consumption are also associated with lower risk of certain cancers.
• Healthy eating: Maintaining a healthy weight and consuming a balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and other healthy options can reduce the risk of certain cancers. 
• Vaccination: Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) can reduce the incidence of cervical and other cancers. Additionally, the hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce the risk of liver cancer.
• Screening: Many cancers are treatable when detected early through screening. Routine screening for breast, cervical and colon cancers can improve outcomes by detecting cancer in earlier stages. The significant reduction in breast cancer death rates in the last 30 years has been attributed to both early screening and advances in treatment. Cervical cancer incidence rates, too, have decreased more than 50% since the 1970s, largely due to Pap smear screening.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that all women should be screened for breast cancer every two years, starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This is a change from the previous recommendation to initiate screening between ages 40-50 based on individual health history and preferences. More information on specific screening, counseling and prevention recommendations for cancer are available from the USPSTF website.

Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to cancer, including:

• Reducing the overall cancer death rate.
• Reducing the death rate from breast cancer.
• Reducing the colorectal cancer death rate.

American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2023.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf.

“Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf.

Cronin, Kathleen A., Susan Scott, Albert U. Firth, Hyuna Sung, S. Jane Henley, Recinda L. Sherman, Rebecca L. Siegel, et al. “Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part 1: National Cancer Statistics.” Cancer 128, no. 24 (December 15, 2022): 4251–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34479.

Mariotto, Angela B., Lindsey Enewold, Jingxuan Zhao, Christopher A. Zeruto, and K. Robin Yabroff. “Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 29, no. 7 (July 2020): 1304–12. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1534.