WORLD CANCER DAY - 4th FEBRUARY

There is hardly any family that exist in present society that has not lost at least one member in cancer.  Yet we are barely aware of the alarming fact that Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 12 million deaths in 2022, or nearly one in five deaths. Neither are we informed about the real facts of Cancer. Hence World Cancer Day is held every 4 February which is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) with the noble aim of raising worldwide awareness, reducing stigma, improving education, encouraging it’s prevention, detection and treatment  and furthermore catalysing personal, collective and government action.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Cancer occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumour; this is true of all cancers except leukaemia (cancer of the blood). If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function. Cancer tumours can be marked into three groups: benign, malignant or precancerous.

Types:

There are more than 200types of cancer that can be classified according to the point where they start in our body, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer etc. However, we can group the Cancer type according to the type of cell they start in. These can be classified in five groups; i.e, Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma, Brain and spinal cord cancers.

Causes of cancer :

To recognise World Cancer Day, we take time to better understand the risk factors leading to cancer. Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multi-stage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour. These changes are the result of the interaction between a person's genetic factors and three categories of external agents like physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and  biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites. It is important to remember that, while some factors cannot be modified, around one third of cancer cases can be prevented by reducing behavioural and dietary risks.   

To name a few modifiable risk factors which if controlled can keep the disease away are as below:

• Consumption of Alcohol
• Chewing tobacco
• Smoking
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Being Obese
• Too much exposure to UV ray and Ionising radiation
• Poor dietary habit
• Infection
• Air Pollution
• Workplace hazards

 However, the majority of risk factors don't actually cause cancer. Despite having multiple risk factors, some people might never get cancer. Others do, too, who have no identified risk factors. But understanding the risk factors and discussing them with medical team is crucial. One will be able to make better lifestyle decisions to enhance well-being. Ultimately doctor may use this information to determine if it is required genetic counselling and testing.

Considerable Signs and Symptoms:

With so many different types of cancers, the symptoms are varied and depend on where the disease is located. However, there are some key signs and symptoms to look out for which includes:

• Unusual lumps or swelling– cancerous lumps are often painless and may increase in size as the cancer progresses
• Coughing, breathlessness or difficulty swallowing– be aware of persistent coughing episodes, breathlessness or difficulty swallowing
• Changes in bowel habit– such as constipation and diarrhoea and/or blood found in the stools
• Unexpected bleeding– includes bleeding from the vagina, anal passage, or blood found in stools, in urine or when coughing
• Unexplained weight loss– a large amount of unexplained and unintentional weight loss over a short period of time (a couple of months)
• Fatigue– which shows itself as extreme tiredness and a severe lack of energy. If fatigue is due to cancer, individuals normally also have other symptoms
• Pain or ache– includes unexplained or ongoing pain, or pain that comes and goes
• New mole or changes to a mole– look for changes in size, shape, or colour and if it becomes crusty or bleeds or oozes
• Complications with urinating– includes needing to urinate urgently, more frequently, or being unable to go when you need to or experiencing pain while urinating
• Unusual breast changes– look for changes in size, shape or feel, skin changes and pain
• Appetite loss– feeling less hungry than usual for a prolonged period of time
• A sore or ulcer that won’t heal– including a spot, sore wound or mouth ulcer
• Heartburn or indigestion– persistent or painful heartburn or indigestion
• Heavy night sweats– be aware of very heavy, drenching night sweats

It’s not mandatory that anyone who would face the above symptom/s must have the disease. But one should be aware of the possible factors and must check out with doctors to ensure early detection.

Sunshine – The Rays of Hope

This is truly an awe inspiring fact that in today’s world at least one third of cancers are preventable, giving us every reason to champion healthy life choices and prevention strategies to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Between 30 and 50% of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors mentioned above and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies. The cancer burden can also be reduced through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment and care of patients who develop cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated appropriately.  Cancer is no longer synonymous to death anymore.

It’s WE

Emotional turbulence is common is very common with the people detected with cancer. It is very usual that they suddenly experience wide range of emotions like worries, fears, and other forms of psychological stress that cause them significant distress. Chronic illness can bring about guilt, feelings of loss of control, anger, sadness, confusion, fear, anxiety, mood disturbance, fear of recurrence, concerns about body image; communication with  other and  with family members are common in cancer patients as well. Their emotions may change daily, hourly, or even minute to minute.  Time turns to be challenging for the family members of the patients as well. It demands tremendous mental strength, positive energy, abundance of patience and tons of empathy of the family members to deal with a person affected with cancer.  It’s important to behave normally with them, to make them a feeling of being with them like ever before. So, it’s only WE; the people who are around, mainly friends and family, fellow workers must shed of all sorts of stigma related to cancer and be empathetic and be a strong support in all forms to win over the disease. The world should seem to be as green, lively and cheerful to the cancer survivors also as seem to others. Society has seen lot of positive changes, yet long way to go and none other than WE can make this world a better place to live for the people who have won over the disease or still are fighting with it.

Also its the responsibility of the Government to provide all necessary facilities to All cancer patients irrespective of their social status, cast & creed. This year World Cancer Day has chosen a theme based on this idea as “close the care gap” which is about understanding the inequities in cancer care and taking actions to make the necessary progress to address them by the government.

 Disclaimer: This content is only about providing generic information. It is no way substitute for or equivalent with a qualified medical opinion. It’s always advisable to consult a specialist for particular information, advice or detection.

@Sanchita Roychowdhury

GOPSAI AVINANDAN SANGHA

Editor