-
3 months ago
World Cancer Day : 04 February 2012
Hey, today is 04 February 2012. It’s World Cancer Day…
Cancer is one of the leading cause of mortality. But, the good news is at least one-third cancer can be prevented ! It’s much better to prevent it, right?
These are some factors that can cause cancer :
1. Tobacco
“Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 22% of cancer deaths per year. About 70% of the lung cancer burden can be attributed to smoking alone.” (WHO)
Tobacco may cause some cancers, including cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and cervix. Passive smokers, it’s also called second-hand smoker, can also get the lung cancer. Smokeless tobacco, like the chewing or oral tobacco, may also cause oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer.
2. Physical Inactivity, Dietary Factors, Obesity, and Being Overweight
Overweight and obesity may cause some cancers, like oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium, and kidney cancer. Excess consumption of red and preserved meat may increase the risk of colorectal caner. In the other hand, diets high in fibers, such as vegetables and fruits, have a protective effect against cancers.
Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can maintain a healthy body weight and also increase risks of the diseases, including cancer. It’s the best if it’s done together with a good eating habit, more fibers and less red meat.
3. Alcohol
Drinking alcohol also may increase the risk of getting cancer. Cancers related to alcohol use are oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast. The risk is getting much worse if alcohol use is combined with the smoking habit.
4. Infections
“Infectious agents are responsible for almost 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries.” (WHO)
Some infections may increase the risk of getting cancer, such as :
- Viral Hepatitis B and C may cause liver cancer
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) may cause cervix cancer
- Helicobacter pylori may cause stomach cancer
- Schistosoma may cause bladder cancer
We can prevent the infections by vaccination and also by having a healthy lifestlye. For addition, infections caused by Hepatitis and Human Papilloma Virus can be prevented by vaccination.
5. Environmental Pollution
“Environmental pollution of air, water and soil with carcinogenic chemicals accounts for 1–4% of all cancers. Worldwide, indoor air pollution from domestic coal fires is responsible for approximately 1.5% of all lung cancer deaths.” (WHO)
Enviromental pollution means that the air, water, and soil are polluted. Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in the environment increase the risk of having cancer. The example is the coal us in the household. The other carcinogenic chemicals are arsen, benzene (found in gasoline), asbestos, formaldehyde, and many others.
6. Radiation
“Residential exposure to radon gas from soil and building materials is estimated to cause between 3% and 14% of all lung cancers, making it the second cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke.” (WHO)
Ionizing radiation increases the risk of cancer. It can induce leukemia and a number of solid tumors. Radon and Ultraviolet (UV) exposure increase the risk. Radon levels in homes can be reduced by improving the ventilation. UV exposure mainly increase the risk of getting skin cancer. The skin cancers can be prevented by using sunscreen and protective clothing while working outside.
Everyone, without any exception, has a risk of getting cancer. Family history of cancer is also one of the risk factor. Cancer decreases the quality of life. And what is scary about cancers is that cancers may metastasize or spread to all of the parts of the body. Cancers may be cured by chemotherapy and surgery. But prevention is still the best way, right? Having a healthy lifestyle and also regularly do screening and medical check-up are examples how we can prevent cancers.
For those who are suffered from cancers, please always be strong! There are still some alternatives for you to improve the quality of life. There are still chances for you to be cured and survived.
Reference : www.who.int
Following
