The National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention combined efforts to compile cancer incidence and mortality statistics for 1999-2004. These statistics show information on cancer incidence and mortality based on race gender, and geographic categories. This continues our series of cancer incidence and demographics, and lists the most common types of cancer in women. The numbers listed in parentheses below are new cases per 100,000 women.

The top 10 most common types of cancer diagnosed in U.S. women are:

1. Breast Cancer (117.7)
2. Lung (and Bronchus) Cancer (54.2)
3. Colon and Rectal Cancer (42.7)
4. Corpus and Uterus, NOS (23.1)
5. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (16.1)
6. Skin Melanomas (14.0)
7. Thyroid Cancer (13.8)
8. Ovarian Cancer (12.5)
9. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer (10.0)
10. Pancreatic Cancer (9.7)

Use the to find out more information about the above diseases. Join Healia Health Communities or read our cancer information summaries from the NCI for more information about cancer incidence, treatment, and prevention.

Related blog post: Top 10 Most Common Types of Cancer Diagnosed in U.S. Men

_{Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2004 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute; 2007. Available at: www.cdc.gov/uscs}

_{Photo: Davvyk, Flickr, Creative Commons}

The U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality online report lists the most common types of cancer diagnosed in men. In this report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) collaborated to provide cancer incidence and mortality statistics for 1999-2004. These statistics show information on cancer incidence and mortality based on gender, race, and geographic categories. The numbers listed in parentheses below are new cases per 100,000 persons.

The top 10 most common types of cancer diagnosed in U.S. men are:

1. Prostate Cancer (145.3 per 100,000 men)
2. Lung Cancer (85.3)
3. Colon and Rectal Cancer (58.2)
4. Urinary Bladder Cancer (37.3)
5. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (22.6)
6. Skin Melanomas (21.5)
7. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer (19.1)
8. Mouth and Throat Cancer (15.7)
9. Leukemia (15.2)
10. Pancreatic Cancer (12.8)

Want to learn more? Use the Health Search Engine to find out more information about the above diseases or read the cancer summaries from NCI.

_{Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2004 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute; 2007. Available at: www.cdc.gov/uscs}.

_{Photo: krossbow, Flickr, Creative Commons}

In the fourth and final feature in our series on cosmetic procedures, we list the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed on men in 2007 – the most recent year for which data are available. In that year, nearly 10 million nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States, nearly five times the number of cosmetic surgery procedures performed during this time. The most common surgical cosmetic procedure in men is liposuction and this procedure only ranks sixth on the overall list of most common cosmetic procedures in men: all five procedures listed below were performed more often in 2007.

Not surprisingly, more women than men undergo nonsurgical cosmetic procedures by a large margin. However, it may surprise some to learn that botox injections top the list of cosmetic procedures for men. In fact, the same five procedures appear in the lists of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for both men and women, only in somewhat different order. Each procedure in the list below is followed by the number of men in the U.S. who underwent that procedure in the year 2007 in parentheses. For comparison purposes, the number of women who underwent that same procedure is also provided.

The top 5 nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among American men are:

1. Botox (329,519 men, 2,445,656 women)
2. Laser hair removal (185,684 men, 1,226,974 women)
3. Microdermabrasion (85,910 men, 743,748 women)
4. Hyaluronic Acid (wrinkle smoothing; 84,184 men, 1,364,533 women)
5. IPL laser treatment (removal of skin imperfections; 63,177 men, 584,530 women)

Cosmetic procedures are, by definition, elective and are therefore not required for your health. While the overall risks of such procedures are relatively low, serious and life-threatening complications can occur such as allergic reactions and clotting problems.

If you are thinking about undergoing any cosmetic procedure, make sure that you find a surgeon is certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It may also be a good idea to be evaluated by your regular physician for any predisposing characteristics that might increase your risk of complications during a cosmetic procedure.

For more information on cosmetic procedures, join the Healia Health Community for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. If you have a question about a cosmetic procedure, Ask The Experts at Healia Health Communities.

Related Blog Posts: The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Women
The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Men
The Top 5 Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures among American Women

_{Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank-Statistics, 2/07. http://www.surgery.org/download/2007stats.pdf}

_{Photo: ZaldyImg, Flickr, Creative Commons}

In 2007, nearly 10 million nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States; this is almost five times the number of elective cosmetic surgery procedures performed during this time. In fact, the number one most common surgical cosmetic procedure in women (breast augmentation) is only ninth on the list of most common cosmetic procedures performed on women. Not surprisingly, more women than men underwent nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. This is the third in our series of features on cosmetic procedures and lists the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed on women in 2007 – the most recent year for which data are available. Few people will be surprised that Botox tops the list. The number of women in the U.S. who underwent each procedure in the year 2007 appears in parentheses.

The top 5 nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among American women are:

1. Botox (2,445,656)
2. Hyaluronic Acid (wrinkle smoothing; 1,364,533)
3. Laser Hair Removal (1,226,974)
4. Microdermabrasion (743,748)
5. IPL Laser Treatment (removal of skin imperfections; 584,530)

Cosmetic procedures are, by definition, elective and are therefore not required for your health. While the overall risks of such procedures are relatively low, serious and life-threatening complications can occur such as allergic reactions and clotting problems.

If you are thinking about undergoing any cosmetic procedure, make sure that you find a surgeon is certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It may also be a good idea to be evaluated by your regular physician for any predisposing characteristics that might increase your risk of complications during a cosmetic procedure.

For more information on cosmetic procedures, join the Healia Health Community for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. If you have a question about a cosmetic procedure, Ask The Experts at Healia Health Communities.

Related Blog Posts: The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Women
The Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures among American Men

_{Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank-Statistics, 2/07. http://www.surgery.org/download/2007stats.pdf}

In 2007, there were over 2 million elective cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States. While women still seek cosmetic treatments more often than men by a 9:1 ratio, the numbers of men undergoing such producers is rising rapidly. This list of the top five surgical procedures performed on men for cosmetic reasons in 2007 – the most recent year for which data are available – is the second in our series of features on cosmetic procedures. The number of men in the U.S. who underwent each procedure in the year 2007 appears in parentheses. For comparison, the number of women who underwent the same procedure also appears.

The top 5 cosmetic surgeries among American men are:

1. Liposuction/lipoplasty (57,980 men and 398,848 women)
2. Belpharoplasty (eyelid surgery; 32,564 men and 208,199 women)
3. Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping; 31,713 men and 120,083 women)
4. Breast Reduction (20,280 male breast reductions for gynecomastia and 153,087 female breast reductions)
5. Hair Transplantation (16,491 men and 3,188 women)

Cosmetic surgery is, by definition, elective surgery and is therefore not required for your health. While the overall risks of such surgery are relatively low, serious and life-threatening complications can occur. Going under general anesthesia for any reason carries a small risk of death, and additional risks depend upon the specifics of a given cosmetic procedure.

If you are thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery, make sure that you find a surgeon is certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It may also be a good idea to be evaluated by your regular physician for any predisposing characteristics that might increase your risk of complications during a cosmetic surgery procedure. Be sure to tell the plastic surgeon about any health conditions you have that might impact the surgical procedure. Hiding such information in order to be accepted as a patient is not only illegal but is also incredibly dangerous.

For more information on cosmetic surgery procedures, join the Healia Health Community for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

_{Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank-Statistics, 2/07. http://www.surgery.org/download/2007stats.pdf}

_{Photo: ob1left, Flickr, Creative Commons}

Elective surgery for cosmetic purposes has grown in popularity among both women and men over the past 10 years. In 1997, fewer than one million total cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the United States; in 2007, that number was over 2 million. Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures have also grown in popularity, with nearly 10 million of such procedures performed in 2007. While women still seek cosmetic treatments more often than men by a 9:1 ratio, the numbers of men undergoing such producers is rising rapidly. The first in our series of features on cosmetic procedures is a list of the top surgical procedures performed on women for cosmetic reasons in 2007, the most recent year for which data are available. The number of women in the U.S. who underwent each procedure in the year 2007 appears in parentheses.

The top 5 cosmetic surgeries among American women are:

1. Breast augmentation (399,440)
2. Liposuction/lipoplasty (398,848)
3. Belpharoplasty (eyelid surgery; 208,199)
4. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck; 180,457)
5. Breast reduction (153,087)

Cosmetic surgery is, by definition, elective surgery and is therefore not required for your health. While the overall risks of such surgery are relatively low, serious and life-threatening complications can occur. Going under general anesthesia for any reason carries a small risk of death, and additional risks depend upon the specifics of a given cosmetic procedure.

If you are thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery, make sure that you find a surgeon that is certified in his or her specialty by an appropriate board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It may also be a good idea to be evaluated by your regular physician for any predisposing characteristics that might increase your risk of complications during a cosmetic surgery procedure. Be sure to tell the plastic surgeon about any health conditions you have that might impact the surgical procedure. Hiding such information in order to be accepted as a patient is not only illegal but is also incredibly dangerous.

For more information on cosmetic surgery procedures, join the Healia Health Community for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

_{Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank-Statistics, 2/07. http://www.surgery.org/download/2007stats.pdf}

_{Photo: crucially, Flickr, Creative Commons}

One of the most frequently experienced medical symptoms of girls and women is abnormal vaginal discharge. It can be pretty scary if you don’t know what is causing it. Below is a list of the major causes of vaginal discharge along with the specific characteristics of the discharge that can help distinguish it from other causes.

There can also be an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge that is perfectly normal. Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky and doesn't smell bad. Possible causes for an increase in the amount of normal vaginal discharge include emotional stress, ovulation, breastfeeding, and sexual excitement.

The Top 10 causes of abnormal vaginal discharge are:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
  The most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge, BV occurs when bacteria that normally live in the vagina overgrow, causing a grey discharge and fishy odor that tend to worsen after sexual intercourse. You may also experience itching or burning and a slight redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva. BV is not sexually transmitted and can be treated with antibiotics.
  
  
• Vaginal yeast infection
  Yeast is a fungus that can normally be found in very small amounts in a healthy vagina. If the yeast overgrows, it can cause a yeast infection, which is the second most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. Yeast infections may cause a white, cottage cheese-like discharge along with an intense itching sensation, although not everyone with a yeast infection will have the discharge. There may also be swelling around the vulva and sexual intercourse is often painful. The discharge associated with a yeast infection does not usually smell bad; at worst it may smell faintly starchy. Yeast infections are more common in women using antibiotics, who are pregnant, have diabetes, or stay hot and sweaty for long periods. Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medication medicine you put into your vagina, or with oral medicine.
  
  
• Trichomoniasis
  Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by the bacterium Trichomonas vaginalis. It causes copious, thin, bubbly discharge that is yellowish or greenish in color. It is usually associated with an unpleasant odor and pain and itching during urination. Trichomoniasis is often most apparent after your period. You can be infected but have no signs for a long time. Trichomoniasis is usually contracted through unprotected sex with someone who is infected. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.
  
  
• Chlamydia
  Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States and is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia often causes no symptoms, but if untreated, may cause damage to the reproductive organs. The vaginal discharge sometimes associated with Chlamydia is milky or yellow and mucus-like with a mild but unpleasant odor. Other symptoms may include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and painful sexual intercourse. Chlamydia is easily treatable with antibiotics.
  
  
• Gonorrhea
  Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the female reproductive tract. Most women who are infected have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include a cloudy, yellow or green, pus-like vaginal discharge along with a burning sensation when urinating, persistent lower abdominal pain, and spotting between periods. Complications of untreated gonorrhea include pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility. Most cases of gonorrhea can be treated with common oral antibiotics.
  
  
• Genital herpes
  A recurrent outbreak of genital herpes (i.e. not the very first herpes outbreak you experience) may be accompanied by a watery vaginal discharge. Sometimes herpes sores may not be visible in women, so a change in discharge may be the only clue. Often it will be accompanied by itching and burning, pain when urinating, and the presence of oozing blisters.
  
  
• Forgotten tampon or foreign body
  If a foreign body is left in the vagina, it will cause a foul-smelling black discharge. This can become dangerous if the infection spreads to the body or blood causing toxic shock syndrome or sepsis.
  
  
• Infected IUD
  An infected intrauterine device (IUD) may cause a pus-like cervical discharge along with mild uterine tenderness. Removal of the device should stop the discharge and the pain.
  
  
• Atrophic vaginitis
  After menopause, levels of estrogen change dramatically and this can cause changes in vaginal tissues called atrophic vaginitis. A thin, watery discharge, sometimes blood-tinged, may sometimes occur, along with inflammation of the vagina and thinning and shrinking of the vaginal tissues. It only occurs in women who are post-menopausal or whose ovaries have been surgically removed. Symptoms may be aleviated with the use of topical estrogen creams.
  
  
• Cervical or vaginal cancer
  Cancers of the lower reproductive tract in women may rarely be the cause of excess vaginal discharge. Early symptoms of cancer may include a continuous vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling.

For more information about sexually transmitted diseases in women or about women's health, join the Healia Health Community for STDs or the Healia Health Community for Women's Health. To learn more, read the Healia Health Guide to Chlamydia or the Healia Health Guide to Genital Herpes.

<sub>Sources: National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Medical Encylopedia, Vaginal Discharge, Updated 8/07. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001345.htm
American Academy of Family Physicians, Vaginal Dischage: Changes That may be Signs of a Problem, Updated 1/08. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/vaginal/194.html

Photo: d'n'c, Flickr, Creative Commons</sub>

The second annual Caffeinated Cities Survey was released earlier this year, which assessed local levels of caffeine consumption. The survey was conducted via telephone by Prince Market Research for HealthSaver and involved over 2,000 consumers in 20 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. It was designed to gather information about the amount and type of caffeine consumed in cities across the country to help understand the people’s attitudes about this most widely-used stimulant.

Evidence continues to accumulate that the most commonly consumed form of caffeine, coffee, has several health benefits for people who do not have heart problems or high blood pressure, including lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer. It is likely that some of these benefits may be attributed to moderate caffeine consumption. However, coffee is not the only way to consume caffeine. The study also looked at other favorite ways that Americans obtain caffeine including caffeinated energy drinks, teas (green, black, and iced), colas, chocolate, and caffeine pills.

The top 5 cities in the U.S. for caffeine consumption are:

1. Tampa, FL. Tampa ranks second in tea consumption and fifth in coffee consumption among the cities on the list.
   
   
2. Seattle, WA. Not surprisingly, Seattle ranks first in consumption of coffee (including regular coffee and specialty drinks). Seattle also ranks first in chocolate consumption, and fourth in energy drink use, and is first in the proportion of people who admit being addicted to caffeine. Keeping Seattle from the top spot is the fifth lowest level of tea consumption on the list.
   
   
3. Chicago, IL. Chicago comes in third in chocolate consumption and fourth in cola drinking, but also tops the list with the highest proportion of respondents saying they were not addicted to caffeine.
   
   
4. New York, NY. New Yorkers drink the most tea of any city on the list, but also have the lowest cola consumption. Interestingly, people from New York are also the most likely to say that caffeine is good for you.
   
   
5. Los Angeles, CA. L.A. comes in fourth in coffee consumption and ties for fifth with Boston for admission of caffeine addiction.

Have a question about the health benefits or risks of caffeine-containing products? Ask the Experts at Healia Health Communities.

Related blog posts: Coffee Drinking Reduces Risk of Mouth and Throat Cancers by Half
Johns Hopkins Researchers Issue Warning about High Caffeine Levels in Energy Drinks

_{Source: HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey, 01/09. http://www.affiniongroupmedia.com/themes/site_themes/affinionassets/releases/health_saver/08caffeine/media/National_RLS.pdf}

_{Photo: mararie, Flickr, Creative Commons}

Today, February 6^th is National Wear Red Day for awareness of women’s heart disease and millions are wearing red to help bring attention to this underappreciated killer of American women. In honor of this event, a list is provided below of the cities that have the most room to improve in support of women’s heart health. While heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. by far, many people are still not aware of this fact. Last year, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign released results of a study conducted by Sperling’s Best Places that lists the nation’s best and worst cities for women’s heart health. The rankings were based on the personal lifestyle choices residents in each city make and the heart friendly benefits each city has to offer their residents. The study focused on the 200 largest metro areas in the United States and analyzed 22 factors for each location in the following categories: present day health status, predictive risk indicators, and heart disease mortality statistics.

The top 10 worst cities in America for women’s heart health are:

1. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN
2. St. Louis, MO
3. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
4. Pittsburgh, PA
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. Columbus, OH
7. Cincinnati-Middletown, OH
8. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
9. Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH
10. Indianapolis, IN

Regardless of where you live, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in all 50 states. If you live in a city at the bottom list for women’s heart health it does not automatically mean you will have heart disease. Heart disease is largely preventable if you know your risk factors and you put in the effort to lower your risk by making changes to your everyday lifestyle. For more information on steps you can take to improve your heart health, see the Healia Health Guide on Heart Disease or join the Healia Health Community for Heart Disease. Find out more by visiting the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Web site.

Related blog posts:
February is American Heart Month
Friday is National Wear Red Day for Awareness of Women's Heart Disease
The Top 10 Best Cities in America for Women’s Heart Health

_{Source: American Heart Association, Go Red For Women Ranks America’s Most Heart Friendly Cities for Women, May 2008. http://www.goredforwomen.org/uploadedFiles/News/Press_Releases/HFC%20Nat%27l%20Press%20Release%205%206%2008%20FINAL.pdf}

_{Photo: snarky_momma, Flickr, Creative Commons}

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. This month is American Heart Month and this Friday, February 6^th is National Wear Red Day, a day when millions of Americans will wear red to bring awareness to this underappreciated killer of American women. Last year, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign released results of a study conducted by Sperling’s Best Places that lists the nation’s top 10 best cities for women’s heart health, as well as the 10 worst cities. The rankings were based on the heart friendly benefits cities have to offer their residents as well as the personal lifestyle choices residents in those cities make. The study focused on the 200 largest metro areas in the United States and analyzed 22 factors for each location in the following categories: predictive risk indicators, present day health status and heart disease mortality statistics.

The top 10 best cities in America for women’s heart health are:

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN
2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC
3. San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland, CA
4. Denver-Aurora, CO
5. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA
6. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
7. Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR
8. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
9. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
10. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ

Regardless of where you live, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in all 50 states. While living in a heart healthy city can benefit your heart, it does not automatically make your heart healthy. Heart disease is largely preventable if you know your risk factors and you put in the effort to lower your risk by making changes to your everyday lifestyle. For more information on steps you can take to improve your heart health, see the Healia Health Guide on Heart Disease or join the Healia Health Community for Heart Diseases. Find out more by visiting the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Web site .

Related blog posts: Friday is National Wear Red Day for Awareness of Women’s Heart Disease
 February is American Heart Month

_{Source: American Heart Association, Go Red For Women Ranks America’s Most Heart Friendly Cities for Women, May 2008. http://www.goredforwomen.org/uploadedFiles/News/Press_Releases/HFC%20Nat%27l%20Press%20Release%205%206%2008%20FINAL.pdf}

_{Photo: MattLaws, Flickr, Creative Commons}