Cancer Archive

Early signs of cervical cancer can include blood-tinged vaginal discharge, heavier discharge than usual, spotting or bleeding between periods, menstrual flow that’s heavier or lasts longer than usual, bleeding or pain during or after intercourse, and vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests offer the potential to detect up to 50 types of cancer from a single blood draw. Most cancer deaths stem from cancers for which there is no screening test. MCED tests may find evidence of less common but more lethal types like ovarian and pancreatic cancer. But before considering one of these tests (which can be requested online), people should understand the limitations, including the high cost and possibility of false positive results.

A 2025 study that included 97,000 people found that those who ate the most cruciferous vegetables—between 20 and 40 grams per day—had a 17% lower risk of developing colon cancer, compared with people who ate the least.

A 2025 study suggests that even a single session of resistance training or high-intensity interval training increases levels of certain proteins that can inhibit breast cancer cell growth, potentially contributing to a lower risk of recurrence.

Gynecologic cancers, which affect the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, or vulva, are less common than breast cancer. Women can guard against these cancers by learning the risk factors for each type, which include obesity, exposure to human papillomavirus, and smoking. Women should also continue pelvic exams and cervical cancer screenings after a hysterectomy or menopause, as well as watch for unusual symptoms. Women with a strong family history of gynecologic or certain other cancers should consider genetic testing.