Cancer is second leading cause of global deaths – Dr Shivani Juneja –
Council Member, WELLNESS AND WELL BEING COUNCIL, WICCI, UT CHD
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths in the year 2020. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men whereas in women; breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common.
The global cancer burden continues to grow and thence exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. It is a challenge in low- and middle-income countries due to not so robust health system to manage this burden.
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 can be attributed to physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin, arsenic and biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution are risk factors for cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Cancer risk can be reduced by not using tobacco, maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a healthy diet, doing physical activity on a regular basis, avoiding or reducing consumption of alcohol, getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B if you belong to a group for which vaccination is recommended.
Early diagnosis by being aware of the symptoms of different forms of cancer and of the importance of seeking medical advice when abnormal findings are observed is essential. A correct cancer diagnosis is important for appropriate and effective treatment because every cancer type requires a specific treatment regimen. Completion of the treatment protocol in a defined period of time is very important to achieve the desired outcomes.
Palliative care is treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms and suffering caused by cancer. Palliative care can help people live more comfortably and helps to improve the quality of life. Relief from physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems through palliative care is possible in majority of patients with advanced stages of cancer.
