At what age do the most common types of cancer appear?

They can develop at a young age and in the first decades of adulthood, but the probability of their appearing after the age of 50 is much greater. Breast, prostate, lung, colon and rectal cancers are among the most common types of cancer in Portugal.

Although it can occur at any age – even during childhood – the probability of developing cancer also increases with advancing age, assures the Directorate General of Health (DGS).

In Portugal, most cancers affect people over the age of 65, making aging one of the main risk factors associated with the disease. He is not the only one: it is known that tobacco, alcohol, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition increase the likelihood of suffering from this pathology.

This increase in the incidence of age-related diseases justifies greater attention to prevention and screening, so maintain a healthy lifestyle, consult your doctor and undergo periodic examinations.

In cases where it is not possible to prevent its development, early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment.

Find out which types of cancer are most common in the country, according to the Portugal – Oncological Diseases in Numbers 2015 report, and find out in which age groups they are most common:

Most common types of cancer

Mom

It is the most common type of cancer in women: 6,000 new cases are detected every year. It appears mostly after menopause, although it can affect younger women. In order for the diagnosis to be made at an early stage, women aged 40 and over are advised to undergo a mammogram every year or every two years.

Women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer should talk to their doctor about whether they should get mammograms before age 40 and how often they should get mammograms after that. Only 1% of cases involve men.

Prostate

In Portugal, prostate cancer is the most common oncological disease in men. Most patients are over 65 years old. In addition to aging, family history, ethnicity (it is more common in individuals of African ethnicity), diet (high in fat), and the appearance of changes in the prostate are some of the main risk factors associated with this type of cancer.

Colon and rectum

Every year, more than 4,000 people die in Portugal from colon and rectal cancer, or colorectal cancer, as it is called. Like most types of cancer, it mainly affects the elderly population. The average age at diagnosis is 65 – more than 90% of cases involve people over the age of 50, says the Portuguese League Against Cancer.

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Trachea, bronchi and lung

This is the type of cancer that causes the most deaths in Portugal. It is more common in men than women, with an average age between 55 and 75. Unlike other cancers where risk factors are more widespread, it is known that in the lung, around 85% of cases in men and 65% in women are caused by tobacco, according to the Portuguese Society of Pneumology.

Stomach

It affects twice as many men as women and is a more common disease after the age of 55, being more common in individuals of African than Caucasian ethnicity. Because it has few symptoms in the early stages, it is difficult to detect it early.

If you frequently experience nausea, heartburn, abdominal discomfort or pain, or have indigestion, loss of appetite, bleeding, stomach distention after meals, weakness, and tiredness, see a gastroenterologist.

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Vescia

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and the eighth most common in women. However, the Portuguese League Against Cancer assures, patients under 40 are rare. Blood in the urine, pain when urinating, or frequent urination are some signs of the condition.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

This type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system mainly develops in individuals over the age of 60. Every year 1,700 Portuguese are informed that they have developed the disease.

The symptoms (unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and cough, among others) can be confused with other illnesses. If they do not disappear after two weeks, see a doctor.

Uterus

It represents 6% of all tumors in women and appears especially after the age of 50. In most cases it affects the uterine lining, but it can also develop in the uterine muscle. It sometimes manifests as abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased pelvic secretions, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.