World Cancer Day 2016: We can, I can

Every February 4^th is world cancer day to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Theme for this year is “we can, I can”. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Cancer affects everyone, the young and old, rich and poor, women, men and children. The most frequent types of cancer differ between men and women. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, with an estimated 13.1 million deaths in 2030.

Cancer, also known as malignant tumor or neoplasm, is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. There are over 100 cancers that affects human.

When cancer begins, it invariably produces no symptoms. Signs and symptoms only appear as the mass continues to grow depending on the type and location of the cancer. Possible signs and symptoms include: a new lump, a prolonged cough, change in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss etc.

90-95% cases of cancer are due to environmental factors. The remaining 5-10% is due to inherited genetics. Environmental factors such as lifestyle, economic and behavioral factors and not merely pollution. Common environmental factors that contribute to cancer include tobacco, infections (viruses, bacteria and parasites), lack of physical activity (negative effects on the immune and endocrine system), stress, radiation (ionizing, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, medical imaging, radon gas, radio frequency, electric power transmission and radiation from mobile phones), diet and obesity (over nutrition, high-salt diet, aflatoxin) and environmental pollutants. It is nearly impossible to prove what caused a cancer in any individual, because most cancers have multiple possible causes. Some hormones play a role in the development of cancer by promoting cell proliferation. Obese people have higher levels of some hormones associated with cancer. Women who take hormone replacement therapy have a higher risk of developing cancers associated with those hormones.  

Most cancers are firstly recognized either through screening or appearance of signs and symptoms. People with suspected cancer are investigated with medical test s such as CT scans, endoscopy, blood tests and x-rays.

Cancer is considerably a largely preventable disease because most of the cancer cases are due to environmental risk factors which are controllable lifestyle choices.

Vaccines have been developed to prevent some carcinogenic viruses. They include Human papillomavirus vaccine (cervarix) which decreases the risk of developing cervical cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine which prevents infection with hepatitis B virus and thus decreases the risk of liver cancer.

Many treatment option for cancer exist, they include chemotherapy (treatment with one or more cytotoxic anti neoplastic drugs), radiation therapy (use of ionizing radiation to either cure or improve the symptoms of cancer by damaging the DNA of cancerous tissue), surgery (primary method of treatment), hormonal therapy, targeted therapy (form of chemotherapy that targets specific molecular differences between cancer and normal cells), alternative and complementary treatments and palliative care (action to reduce the physical, emotional, spiritual and psycho-social distress experienced by people with cancer). The treatments are used depending on the type, location and grade of the cancer. The treatment may be curative or not.

Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families and communities.

We can inspire action and take action, stop the myths that lead to stigma against cancer patients, encourage schools to educate children on how to prevent cancer, create healthy environments, improve access to cancer care and work together for increased impact.

I can make healthy lifestyles choices, understand that early detection saves lives, ask for support and support others, love and be loved, return to work after cancer treatment, be myself, share my story and speak out.

World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘we can. I can’ make a difference to the fight against cancer.