Over one and a half million new cancer cases are diagnosed each year.
Years ago, most people who had cancer did
not live very long. That’s not the case anymore. Every year, more and
more people survive cancer. This is especially true of children with
cancer and those whose cancers were found early, before they spread.
Causes of cancer
Some cancers are caused by things people
do or expose themselves to. Tobacco use can cause cancer of the lungs,
mouth, throat, bladder, kidneys, and many other organs. Of course, not
everyone who uses tobacco will get cancer, and not everyone that gets
cancer uses tobacco, but it greatly increases a person’s risks.
Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer linked to sunlight and tanning bed exposure.
Radiation can cause cancer. For instance,
people exposed to high dose of radiation have a higher cancer risk than
those who were not exposed.
Certain
chemicals have been linked to cancer, too. Being exposed to or working
with them can increase a person’s risk of cancer. About five per cent to
10 per cent of all cancers are linked to genes inherited from parents.
Risk factors
Some of the major cancer risk factors
that can be controlled include tobacco use, diet, physical activity,
weight, alcohol use, sun exposure, environmental exposures such as
radon, lead, and asbestos; exposure to infections like hepatitis, HPV,
and HIV
Prevention
There’s no sure way to prevent cancer, but there are things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting it.
Tobacco: Smoking damages
nearly every organ in the human body and accounts for some 30 per cent
of all cancer deaths. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and oral (smokeless)
tobacco products cause cancer and should not be used. People who use
tobacco should try to quit.
Alcohol: Drinking
alcohol is linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer. Some
people think that certain types of alcohol are safer than others. But
ethanol is the type of alcohol found in all alcoholic drinks, whether
they are beers, wines, or liquors (distilled spirits).
Diet: Diet (what we eat
or don’t eat) is linked to some types of cancer. There is a lower cancer
risk for people who eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, choose
whole grains rather than refined grains and sugars, limit red meats
(beef, pork, and lamb), limit processed meats.
Vaccines: One virus
that’s clearly linked to cancer is the human papilloma virus. HPV has
been linked to cervical cancer, anal cancer, many genital cancers, and
even head and neck cancers. Still, young people who are not yet sexually
active should have a lower future cancer risk if they get one of the
vaccines before they’re exposed to HPV. Hepatitis B vaccine is also a
prevention strategy for liver cancer.
Diagnosis
A person’s signs and symptoms are not
enough to know whether or not cancer is present. If your doctor suspects
cancer, you will need more tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, or a
biopsy. In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to be sure whether
cancer is present.
To do a biopsy, a piece of the lump or abnormal area is taken out and sent to the laboratory.
Treatment
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are
the three main types of cancer treatment. A person with cancer may have
any or all of these treatments.
Other kinds of treatment you might hear
about include targeted therapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplant,
hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
Early detection
To find cancer early while it’s small and
before it has spread, adults should have regular tests called cancer
screening tests. These tests help doctors find common cancers before
they cause symptoms. For example, regular screening can find cancers of
the breast, colon, rectum, cervix, mouth, prostate and skin early.
If cancer is found early, it can be
easier to treat. Survival also tends to be longer for those with early
cancer. Talk to your doctor about which screening tests might be right
for you.
Cancer prevention seminar
The strategic health insight (The
Hospital) is organising a seminar titled Cancer Prevention…A must.
Arrangement has been made with a Consultant Radiation Oncologist to give
the keynote lecture. Kindly call 08188343865 or visit
www.the-hospitals.com for details.
This will also be accompanied by a screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer.
Keep a date with me next week for insightful piece on breast, cervical and prostate cancers.
To be concluded.
I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
ReplyDeleteliver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.