According to the World Health Organization, cancer will be the top cause of death globally in 2020, accounting for close to 10 million deaths, or close to one in every six.
To increase awareness of cancer and to promote its prevention, identification, and treatment, February 4 is observed worldwide as World Cancer Day. Can this major cause of mortality, however, actually be avoided?
What kinds of cancers can be prevented and how are given by Dr. Vinod Raina, Chairman Oncosciences – Fortis Healthcare, Executive Director & Head of Medical Oncology & Haematology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
Tobacco is the commonest cause of cancer in India
“Nearly 40% of all cancers in India are caused by tobacco and alcohol abuse combined. Particularly tumours of the lungs, oesophagus, windpipe, full pipe, and gastrointestinal system, according to Dr. Raina.
The statistics from other countries is also somewhat comparable, Dr. Raina continues, in that smoking used to be the leading cause of cancer. As smoking rates have decreased in many nations, it has now decreased. We are now beginning to notice the impacts of smoking after 10–12 years, as several malignancies are becoming less common.
He continues by saying, “We witness awful cases of head and neck cancer that are caused by cigarettes, arriving to our clinic in advanced stages. They are unable to eat, they are in excruciating pain, and they cannot maintain good health. Being diagnosed with head and neck cancer is therefore horrible.
What about cancers NOT caused by lifestyle habits?
Other cancers “for which the patients cannot be held responsible” exist. They don’t use tobacco, and they don’t smoke. Breast cancer is the best illustration. In India, the incidence of breast cancer has been increasing for the past 30 years at a rate of roughly 2% each year.
90% of the time, the aetiology of breast cancer is unknown, but ageing is a factor. Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women over the age of 55 to 60. Dr. Raina agrees that the relationship between ageing and breast cancer is direct.
He continues, “There are five to ten percent of breast cancer cases that are caused by some faulty genes that are passed vertically from parents to children, and so on. The BRCA gene is one of them.
When discussing what those with a history of the BRCA gene can do, he states, “So there’s nothing you can do about this gene. However, you can take preventative measures to lessen or detect cancer in these people very early if you identify them as children or young adults who are not your patients but have a family history of the BRCA gene.
Maintaining weight and being active is important
Dr. Raina emphasises the value of physical activity near the end. Obesity increases the risk of cancer mortality or incidence. And it is abundantly obvious from several studies that if you are physically active and slender, your risk of developing cancer is slightly lower than it is for individuals who are overweight or obese.
Dr. Raina concludes by saying that cancer is a complicated condition. “Cancer development primarily affects adults and is primarily linked to alcohol and tobacco use. Environmental pollution can occasionally, occasionally, and occasionally even be inherited. The ageing process is the most frequent cause.
He concludes by emphasising the need of maintaining general health in order to prevent cancer: Keep yourself as healthy as possible. In addition, I don’t believe there is anything else we can do. Some types of cancer cannot be stopped at all. We are powerless to change that. The message I want you to convey is as such. Thank you very much.
