Cancer
CURRENT SCENARIOCancer is the second biggest cause of death in the world
Cancer Kills more people in the world than Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV /Aids combined
The prevalence of cancer in India is around 10million* with over 1 Million new cases detected every year
By 2020, the number of cancer patients in India likely to increase by20%*
*Source: National Health Profile 2013, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Thematic Areas
Awareness
Detection
Treatment
What is Cancer:
To understand it simply, Cancer may be regarded as a group of diseases characterized by a cellular malfunction i.e. abnormal growth of body cells. Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms. Cancerous cells don’t know what to do and when to do it therefore they grow and replicate out of control. There are more than 200 different types of cancers. One person in India dies from cancer every 50 seconds making cancer the disease most likely to impoverish, according to the World Bank. Cancer is the second biggest cause of death in India, growing at 11% annually. According to WHO, It is very shocking to know that around 8.2 million people worldwide died from cancer in 2012. While 60% of world’s total new annual cases occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. Among this good news is 30% of cancers could be prevented, if detected early. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to common risks factors such as tobacco, smoke, alcohol use, chronic irritation, radioactive substance, heredity and life style.
Causes of cancer and reducing your risk:
Tobacco
Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22% of cancer deaths per year. Tobacco smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancers of the lung, oesophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix.
Alcohol use
Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types. Risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Attributable fractions vary between men and women for certain types of alcohol-related cancer, mainly because of differences in average levels of consumption. For example, 22% of mouth and oropharynx cancers in men are attributable to alcohol whereas in women the attributable burden drops to 9%.
Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and in particular solar radiation, is carcinogenic to humans, causing all major types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Avoiding excessive exposure, use of sunscreen and protective clothing are effective preventive measures.
Physical Inactivity, Dietary factors, Obesity and being overweight
There is a link between overweight and obesity to many types of cancer such as oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Diets high in fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against many cancers. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk.
Can cancer be prevented:
At-least one-third of all cancers cases are preventable, If detected early. Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. There are two major components of early detection of cancer: education to promote early diagnosis and screening.
Diagnosis
The first critical step in the management of cancer is to establish the diagnosis based on pathological examination. A range of tests is necessary to determine the spread of the tumour. Recognizing possible warning signs of cancer and taking prompt action leads to early diagnosis. Increased awareness of possible warning signs of cancer, among physicians, nurses and other health care providers as well as among the general public, can have a great impact on the disease. Some early signs of cancer include lumps, sores that fail to heal, abnormal bleeding, persistent indigestion, and chronic hoarseness. Early diagnosis is particularly relevant for cancers of the breast, cervix, mouth, larynx, colon and rectum, and skin.
Screening
Screening refers to the use of simple tests across a healthy population in order to identify individuals who have disease, but do not yet have symptoms. Examples include breast cancer screening using mammography and cervical cancer screening using cytology screening methods, including Pap smears.