World Cancer Day 2017: We Can. I Can.

The World Cancer Day is celebrated on the 4^th of February every year to increase awareness about cancer and promote research its prevention and cure. The day was initiated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The theme for the World Cancer Day 2017 (which is the same theme for the three consecutive years – 2016 to 2018) is We Can. I Can. It emphasizes the importance of every individual either singly or as a group in reducing the burden of cancer in the world. Cancer is still among the most feared diseases. It appears when the cells of a particular part of the body grow uncontrollably resulting in growth. The growth can spread either locally or to distant sites and organs, interfering with their function and finally causing deaths. The number of cancer deaths per year is likely to increase from 8.2 million in 2012 to 13 million in 2030. The percentage of deaths will be more in the low-to-middle countries (70%) as compared to middle-to-high-income countries (30%). This discrepancy should be overcome and adequate and latest treatments should be available to people of all economic strata.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer followed by breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer. Several cancers appear due to exposure to certain factors which can be easily avoided. These include:

• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco predispose to several forms of cancer. Cigarette smoke contains at least 69 known carcinogens. The association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer is well established. Other cancers that can arise due to cigarette smoking include lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, blood, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum. In addition, smoking causes other lung and heart diseases. Smoking is not a necessity – the habit often arises due to peer pressure, but is not easy to give up due to its addictive property. Therefore, it is best not to start smoking. However, if you are already smoking, contact your health care provider who can counsel you and offer ways and means to stop smoking. Quitting smoking also reduces cancer risk.

• Alcohol Intake: High alcohol intake can increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, food pipe, larynx (voice box), liver and breast. Therefore, people are advised to limit alcohol intake.

• Environmental Factors: Certain environmental substances can increase the risk of cancer. Excessive exposure to sunlight especially by white-skinned individuals can result in skin cancer. You may not smoke, but if your partner or colleague does, you may also be at risk for cancer. Some people are exposed to carcinogens at their place of work like asbestos. Adequate precautions should be adopted by the industries employing staff to work in such environments

• Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer in menopausal women, colon, rectum, endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder. Steps to prevent obesity like increasing physical activity and reducing unhealthy diets are beneficial in preventing cancer.

• Cancer-causing Infections: Certain viral infections can cause cancer. For example, infection with the human papillomavirus can predispose to cervical cancer in women. Hepatitis B and C can predispose to liver cancer. Vaccines when available can be used to prevent the infections and therefore prevent the cancer.

The newly diagnosed cancer cases are likely to rise from 14.7 million per year in 2012 to 21 million per year by 2030. Many cancers can be cured if diagnosed early. Early diagnosis is possible through screening tests, which are available for several cancers e.g. Pap smear for cervical cancer, mammography for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer.

If you already suffer from cancer, don’t let the cancer determine the course of your life, make sure that you determine the course of cancer and your life. Get back to work as soon as you can. If your colleague suffers from cancer, provide a support system at your work place so that they can get back to their routine life.

Get involved in the mission against cancer, even if you do not suffer from it or know anyone who suffers from it. Take on to social media to increase others awareness of cancer. You could be a part of a group of people taking measures to provide access to cancer treatment to needy patients. Along with other volunteers, you could visit your local administration and volunteer to increase awareness about cancer in your community.

Remember, cancer can affect anybody. However, the risk can be reduced to a large extent by following a healthy lifestyle with healthy food, enough physical activity, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.

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Reference:

1. Cancer - (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/)
2. Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting - (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet)

Source-Medindia