Women's Day wishes: Empower yourself with cancer awareness, stay safe

Women's Day isn't just about achievements and empowerment anymore. It's also a day to remind women to take time out for themselves, both in terms of self-care and healthcare. It's the perfect moment to spotlight a critical aspect of women’s lives: health. Cancer remains one of the greatest challenges women face, with breast, lung, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers topping the list of concerns. It's time women arm themselves with knowledge—cancer facts for women, the importance of prioritizing health, and actionable steps for screening and prevention. By taking charge of our well-being, we honor our strength and ensure we thrive for years. Here’s how to make health a cornerstone of this celebration.

Cancer doesn’t wait—it’s a leading cause of death among women worldwide. In the United States, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women (excluding skin cancer), while lung cancer claims the most lives. Globally, cervical cancer devastates women in underserved regions, though it’s preventable. Health isn’t just about survival—it’s about living fully, pursuing dreams, and breaking barriers. It's important to prioritise regular screenings, vaccinations, and healthy choices. When women thrive, the world does too.

Breast cancer: Know the facts, take action
Breast cancer is the second-deadliest cancer for women (after lung cancer), but early detection through screening turns the tide. Risk factors include age (most cases occur after 50), family history, and genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2, though no woman is immune.
How to screen: 
Mammograms: These low-dose X-ray scans catch tumors early, often before symptoms appear. The ACS advises women at average risk to start annual mammograms at age 45, with the option to begin at 40. After 55, biennial screening is sufficient for most. For high-risk women—those with a strong family history or genetic predisposition—screening may start earlier, often paired with breast MRI.

Stay vigilant: While routine self-exams aren’t mandatory, know your breasts. Report lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes to your doctor immediately.
Why it matters: Regular mammograms cut breast cancer mortality by over 40%, proving that screening saves lives.
This World Women’s Day, let’s pledge to schedule a mammogram—it’s a powerful act of self-love and a nod to our collective strength.

Lung cancer: Screening for a healthier tomorrow
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer for women, outpacing breast cancer in mortality. Smoking drives 80% of cases, but non-smokers face risks, too, from secondhand smoke to radon exposure. Women who smoke may be especially vulnerable, making awareness and screening vital.
What you can do to get screened:
Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Scan: For women aged 50–80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history (e.g., one pack daily for 20 years) who still smoke or quit within the last 15 years, annual LDCT scans are recommended. This quick scan spots lung cancer early, when treatment works best.

Ask Your Doctor: If you’re a smoker or former smoker, discuss your risk. Non-smokers exposed to environmental hazards should watch for symptoms like persistent cough or shortness of breath.
Take Control: Quitting smoking slashes your risk—support like counseling or nicotine replacement can make it happen.
On World Women’s Day, let’s breathe easier by embracing lung health—screening and quitting are steps toward a stronger, healthier you.

Cervical Cancer: Prevent and protect
Cervical cancer, linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), is a preventable killer. In the U.S., it claims over 4,000 lives yearly, and globally, it’s a top threat in low-resource areas. Vaccination and screening are our weapons to end this disease.
Get vaccinated:
The HPV vaccine targets cancer-causing strains and is recommended for girls (and boys) at ages 11–12, though it can start at 9 or extend to 26. Women up to 45 may still benefit—talk to your doctor. It prevents 90% of HPV-related cancers, securing a healthier future.
Get screened:
Pap Test: From age 21, get a Pap test every 3 years to catch precancerous changes.
HPV Test: Between 25 and 65, opt for an HPV test every 5 years (if available), a co-test (Pap plus HPV) every 5 years, or a Pap alone every 3 years. After 65, screening can stop if results have been normal.
Impact: Screening has halved cervical cancer deaths in 40 years—proof of its power.
This World Women’s Day let’s celebrate by protecting ourselves and our daughters—vaccinate, screen, and spread the word.

Endometrial cancer: Listen to your body
Endometrial cancer, affecting the uterine lining, is the most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S., with over 66,000 cases yearly. It often strikes after menopause and is tied to risks like obesity, unopposed estrogen, and Lynch syndrome. There’s no routine screening for average-risk women, so awareness is key.
What to know:
Abnormal bleeding or spotting after menopause demands a doctor’s visit—don’t ignore it. The ACS urges women to discuss risks with their provider at menopause. High-risk women (e.g., with Lynch syndrome) may need annual biopsies, guided by medical advice.
On World Women’s Day, let’s honor our bodies by tuning in—early action can make all the difference.

Ovarian cancer: Awareness saves lives
Ovarian cancer, though rarer (about 19,000 U.S. cases annually), is deadly because it’s often caught late—75% of cases are advanced at diagnosis. Family history and BRCA mutations raise the stakes, but most cases strike unexpectedly.
What to Do:
No standard screening exists for average-risk women. High-risk women may use transvaginal ultrasound or CA-125 blood tests, though these aren’t foolproof. Preventive surgery is an option for some.
Watch for bloating, pelvic pain, or early fullness—persistent symptoms warrant a checkup.
This World Women’s Day, let’s push for better detection and listen to our bodies—it’s a fight worth winning.

A Call to Action on World Women’s Day
On March 8, 2025, World Women’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s a movement. Cancer doesn’t define us, but our response to it can. Breast cancer screening with mammograms, lung cancer detection with LDCT, cervical cancer prevention through vaccines and Pap tests, and vigilance for endometrial and ovarian cancers are tools of empowerment. Health is our right, and today, we claim it. Schedule that appointment, get vaccinated, or share this knowledge with a friend. Together, we rise stronger, healthier, and unstoppable. Let’s make this World Women’s Day a turning point because when women take charge of their health, the world changes for the better.
'Women's Day wishes' has more than 200K search volume on Google Trends in the past 23 hours. 
(Dr Deepthi TR is Specialist in Early cancer Detection and Prevention, Oncure Preventive and Healthcare Centre Kannur)