Cancer - Don't Fear

-Scientific knowledge and progress in medical sciences has increased lifespan of humans worldwide.  Knowledge helped us to eradicate small pox in the world and recently our country is declared polio free.  Healthy life style can prolong life considerably.  But if health principles are not followed aged life can get burdensome with disease.

World over cancer incidence is increasing as people are adopting risky life styles.  According to the statistics by International Agency for Research on Cancer 14 million new cancer cases were added and 8.2 million died of cancer in 2012, where as in 2008 the number was 12.7 million and 7.6 million respectively.  It is estimated that this will rise to 21.6 million new cases and 13 million cancer deaths per year by 2030.  The study also found that there is increase in cancer in woman. 

Most common cancers worldwide are

-Lung cancer

-Breast cancer

-Colorectal (large intestine) cancer.

The cancers causing highest deaths are lung, stomach and liver.

All cancers afflict world population, but certain cancers are more common in some countries due to environmental and socio-cultural practices.  Cervical cancer is high in Columbia and low in Japan.  Stomach cancer is very common in Japan and low incidence in US. 

Cancer is caused by multiple factors. 

Tobacco consumption in any form – smoking or chewing is related to cancer of mouth, throat, lungs, esophagus, and also of bladder, pancreas and kidneys.  91% of oral cancers are directly related to use of tobacco.

Alcohol – excess intake is associated with esophagus and liver cancer.  Alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic effect in causing cancer.

Infections, particularly certain viruses are found to be associated with certain cancers.

-HPV – in cancer cervix, HIV- lymphoma, EBV in lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CMV in Kaposi’s sarcoma, Hepatitis B and C associated with liver cancer.

Dietary factors like smoked fish is linked to stomach cancer and excessive consumption of red meat and beef is related to intestinal cancer and high fatty diet is associated with breast cancer. 

Certain environmental and occupational factors like pollution, exposure to asbestos, arsenic, cadmium etc, exposure to pesticides and radiation are recognised as cancer causative agents. 

Genetic factor is known in woman having breast cancer.  A certain gene BR Ca 1 and BR Ca 2 inherited from mother predisposes woman to breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

In India the number of women suffering from cancer is higher than men.  It is also found that the cancer cases diagnosed in women is a million more in 2013 compared to that in 2012.  The increase in breast cancer is 20% and deaths due to cancer 14%. 

In India cervix (part of uterus) and breast cancer accounts for 60% of all cancers afflicting women.  

Prevention:  Certain cancers which are known to be caused be viruses can be prevented by vaccination. 

-HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and hepatitis vaccine to prevent liver cancer caused by the virus.

-Avoiding early teenage sexual activity and multiple sexual partners and taking reproductive health care will bring down cancer cervix in woman.  Also breast feeding and low fat diet removes environmental causes resulting in breast cancer in woman.

-Abstaining from tobacco and restricting the alcohol consumption decreases the incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer in men which is the cause of highest cancer deaths.

Screening:  Screening all woman who are sexually active for cancer cervix will bring down the incidence and deaths due to cancer cervix.

Screening for oral cancers in tobacco users also reduces the incidence of oral cancer.

Early diagnosis: Present day with availability of medicines and technology early diagnosis of cancer will result in cure.  Any person having the following conditions should immediately consult appropriate specialist and undergo evaluation.

-Persistent fever

-Unexplained loss of weight

-Change in the voice – hoarseness of voice, persistent cough

-Change in bowel habits, constipation and diarrhea alternating

-Impaired appetite

-Change in a mole or wart

-Any lump anywhere or any ulcer that does not heal

-Spit or vomit having blood or passing blood in stools, blood in urine

-Irregular menstrual bleeding or increased white discharge or thin blood stained watery discharge and post coital bleeding in woman

- Lump or hardness in the breast or retraction of the nipple in woman.

Cancers incidence can be reduced by healthy life style and clean environment, getting vaccinated that are available.  Those cancers that cannot be prevented if diagnosed early can be cured and will be compatible with healthy long life.