Every year worldwide more than corer people will be diagnosed with cancer and about third to half will die. However, research shows we know the causes of 70% of the cancers, where about 50% of cancer cases and deaths are now preventable and 80% of stages I and II are completely treatable*1. Unfortunately largely preventable cases comes in for treatment at the 3rd and 4th stage, where survival rate is around 20%.*1 Not only is cost a factor but pain, suffering and time caused to patient and family is another major factor. Hence prevention and early detection are more important than ever. i.e. “Prevention Is Better Than Cure”.
Cases of cancer in various organ is increasing, some of these may be because of modern technology, more access of health care and increasing longevity. Rise of tobacco usage is the biggest challenge especially in India. More than 55% cancers in India is tobacco related. The modern lifestyle is more sedentary life and has access to more processed food. Environment and immune suppression from modern medicine and various infections might have some role. Role of ultraviolet rays and sun exposure seems to be responsible for skin cancers.
In spite of our increased knowledge if we want to save more life, we have to work on cancer prevention and early detection.
Prevent cancer before it starts
There are 2 types of factor that play into cancer. One that is not under our control (<5% of cancer cases)and the other that is definitely under our control. So let’s talk and address those that are under our control. You make choices every day that affect your health.
Educated decisions and steps to help Prevent Cancer risks caused by items that are under control are:
1. DON’T USE TOBACCO
In Saurashtra very large % of people (>80% and increasing) are victims of cancer caused by Tobacco (smoking, chewing and snuff). Use of tobacco products has been linked to many types of cancer, including lung, colorectal, breast, throat, cervical, bladder, mouth and esophageal. It’s never too late to quit. About 90 percent of all lung cancer is related to smoking. Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk for lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.
2. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT AND BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
Inactivity and obesity have been linked to breast and colorectal cancer, and there is also some evidence of a link to lung and pancreatic cancer. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day can make a big difference in your general health and well-being by reducing stress, increase energy, boost your immune system, control your weight and reduce your risk for cancer. Carrying extra pounds increases the risk for multiple cancers.
3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients — and the more color, the more nutrients they contain. No single food can prevent cancer, but the right combination of foods may help make a difference. Eat a variety of vegetables. It is also important to limit alcohol consumption because alcohol can increase your risk for liver, colorectal and breast cancers. If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks a day if you are a man or one drink a day if you are a woman.
4. PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN
Skin cancer is the most common and most preventable cancer. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually in USA. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes most skin cancer. Be sure to use adequate sun protection year-round.
5. PRACTICE SAFE SEX AND AVOID RISKY BEHAVIORS
Many strains of the Human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, are spread through skin to skin contact during vaginal, anal and oral sex. High-risk strains of HPV have increasingly been found to cause many types of cancer, especially cervical cancer. The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can also be spread from person to person through unprotected sex. It can cause long-term liver infections that can increase a person’s chance of developing liver cancer.
6. GET IMMUNIZED (HPV & HEPATITIS VACCINES)
Certain viruses have been linked to cancer, but are preventable through vaccination., such as HPV vaccines. Talk to your doctor for HPV vaccines. Some cancers are linked to the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV), so HBV vaccination is recommended for babies, older children not vaccinated earlier and adults at risk for HBV infection.
7. KNOW YOUR FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY AND GET REGULAR CANCER SCREENINGS
Talk to your family doctor about cancer screening. Some tests can help detect cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful, and some can also detect precancerous conditions before they become cancer. While screening has been proven to save lives, screening guidelines aren’t always “one size fits all.”
7 signs one should never ignore
Cancer does not develop in a day. A complicated process that takes a longtime. Stress levels, body physiques ( tall people are slightly greater risk as they have more cells and hence more chances of occurrence of dangerous mutations resulting in cancer.), if obese, if red meat eater, or if don’t take plenty of fibers and vegetables all these play a significant role in cancer development.
For most cancers there are warning signs and symptoms and how people decide whether or not to seek medical help determines their chances of cure and survival. Patients often dismiss early symptoms especially if they are painless and sporadic. Some just procrastinate and some are just afraid of end result. Some just lack confidence in doctors. Some just contribute it to aging. Hence leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Treating cancer early = far better chance of beating the disease.
So one should not ignore or take lightly following signs and must see a doctor right away.
Fatigue:
Feeling extremely tired can be a symptom of cancer. A lump or thickening of skin can be an early or late sign of cancer. Cancers in the breast, lymph nodes, soft tissues, and testicles typically have lumps. See your doctor don’t wait
Moles:
A mole that has an irregular or asymmetrical shape, is more than one color and is itchy, crusty or bleeding could be a sign of skin cancer. See your doctor don’t wait.
Lumps:
Lumps can be caused by non-cancerous things like cysts, but they need treatment regardless. So if you see a lump anywhere ( especially in your breast ) that is increasing in size, see your doctor don’t wait.
Coughing:
A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks could be a sign of lung cancer. Long-lasting cough could be a sign of pneumonia. In either case see your doctor don’t wait.
Unexplained bleeding:
Blood in Urine, bleeding between periods, bleeding from vagina, blood when coughing or blood in vomit should always be checked by a doctor. Another sign is unexplained bleeding, depending on where it is coming from can be a sign of cancer such as prostate, cervical, bowel, lung and others.
Bowl Habit changes:
Bowl changes such as blood in stool, diarrhea, constipation, pain while urinating and persistent bloating lasting more than a few weeks should not be ignored. See a doctor don’t wait.
Unexplained weight loss:
Unexplained weight loss within a couple of months , which can’t be explained by diet changes, exercise or stress is a symptom of cancer. See a doctor right away, don’t wait.