Happy new month and I hope your January was a good start?
It was world cancer day on 4th of February (Saturday), I hope few of us got screened ? like females should check for ( breast or cervical cancer et all) and males ( prostate cancer , lungs etc).
According to WHO (World Health Organisation), Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.
What is Cancer?
In a simple term, Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division/ growth of abnormal cells in a part of the body leading to increase cell mass with a potential to invade normal cells and metastasize to other distant cells/organs.
Cancers exist in different types according to the cell affected or the organs affected. The symptoms of cancer depends on the area affected but few of the symptoms can include:
- Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats
- Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain
- Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent cough or trouble breathing
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won’t heal, or changes to existing moles
- Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
- Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising .
if you notice any of the above symptom you need to see your healthcare provider immediately ( no procrastination).
According to WHO, Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumor cells in a multistage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumor. These changes are the result of the interaction between a person’s genetic factors and 3 categories of external agents, including:
- physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation;
- chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and
- biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Ageing is another fundamental factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age.
There are other things that can put one at the risk of developing cancer, some of the risk factors includes:
- AGE: Cancer is more common in older adults though it can be diagnosed at any age.
- LIFESTYLE: such as diet, smoking, drinking (excessively), obesity, excessive exposure to sun, unsafe sex habit etc
- FAMILY HISTORY: Some cancers are hereditary i.e if there has been an occurrence in the family ( maybe parents), the genes can be passed on to the next generation
- ENVIRONMENT: in case you are staying in an area where there is a constant release of harmful chemical substances, living with with a smoker, or working in an industry such as asbestos and benzene.
even though there is nothing you can do to prevent an hereditary cancer, an early detection will go a long way in the treatment of cancer.
Between 30–50% of cancers can currently be prevented. This can be accomplished by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies. The cancer burden can also be reduced through early detection of cancer and management. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated adequately.
To further read on this topic please click here , if you are yet to visit the health center for screening please do.
We were not meant to die young, He said ” There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill. EXODUS 23::26″
God is doing His part in keeping us, let us also make deliberate decisions to stay healthy as much as we can!!!
Please read, contribute and share, someone needs the information.
lots of love