Ayaan Saroori
Cancer is a major health concern and has been increasing in recent years. It has claimed countless lives as it is deadly disease depending upon the diagnosing. According to a report published in the National Library of medicine, the estimated number of incident cases of cancer in India for the year 2022 was found to be 14,61,427. Lung and breast cancers were the utmost cancer affected parts in males and females, respectively. The report also highlights that ‘one in nine people’ are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Lungs and Breast being primary organs are the main organs to be involved. While every disease has its treatment, cancer requires proper medication and significant expenditure. However, prevention is better than cure and raising awareness is crucial for early detection but requires follow up of an algorithmic awareness. Cancer being a highly distressing disease has various causes and precautionary measures that need to be acknowledged.
How ‘Prevention is Better Than Cure’ Helps in Combating the Cancer Epidemic
It is a situation when the growth of cells in the body becomes uncontrolled. In simple terms, when the cell shows abnormality in the division, it marks the beginning of cancer in the body. Various factors such as genetics, infections and viruses which weakens the immune system, unhealthy lifestyle etc. contributed to the development of cancer cells in the body. So we have to educate ourselves to prevent the cancer development.
Genetic Mutation: Our body is made up of cells and these perform cellular metabolism to run and control various activities of our body. Similarly, the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), regulates the growth and division of cells. When DNA changes during cell copying ,it leads to uncontrollable cell growth and some cells do not die when they should. This mutation is often caused by factors such infections, smoking, pollution and toxic gases. Therefore, it can be prevented by avoiding consumption of unhealthy fatty food, alcohol, and smoking. Additionally, using sunscreen during the day time helps prevent Ultraviolet radiation(UV) radiation damage and vaccinating against viruses that affects the cellular activities and immune system is crucial.
Carcinogens: Substances or gases which causes cancer in the body are called carcinogens. Various habits such as smoking, alcoholism, harmful radiations leads to cancer in different parts of the body. Smoking affects the lungs by the emission of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and other harmful sustrated. Alcoholic consumption leads to cancer of liver, kidney and mouth by damaging the hormonal balance and weakening immune system of the body. Moreover, harmful radiations emitted by X-ray machines and sunlight causes skin-type cancer. Though, the effect of carcinogens on ourselves is too harmful. We should not be in contact of any smoker nor with radiative machines as they emits harmful radiations as they contribute much to the cancer development.
Environmental exposure: In the era of automobiles, the air quality is too degraded due to the emission of gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Sulfur dioxide etc. contributes to pollute the air and greenhouse . The outcomes are too carcinogenic as they can cause skin cancer as well as lungs cancer. Therefore, emission of harmful gases should be reduced and should wear mask where needed according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Hormonal Imbalance: When the glands secrete hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid and insulin in an excess, cause development of cancer cells in hormone-sensitive tissues. As in women excessive level of estrogen (female sex hormone) for a prolonged period causes risk of developing of breast cancer. Similarly in males testosterone(male sex hormone) causes the effect and other metabolic hormones which get secreted in an imbalanced manners leads to the cancer and increases its risk.
Breaking the stigma: The Importance of Awareness
Awareness plays an important role for preventing the formation of unnecessary taboos and stigmas. The stigma has reached here, that women feel socially inferior to talk openly about the ovarian and breast cancer due to body image. Various people do not talk with cancer patients as they fear to its spread. Unfortunately, it clearly shows the lack of general knowledge regarding and signifies the need to educate with authentic knowledge.
However, early detection through screening tests such as mammography, colonoscopies etc. should be done over the doctor’s prescription so that early detection of the cancer development increases the chances of successful treatment. Additionally, healthy lifestyle over the usage of alcohol and smoking should be cited. As quitting these bad lifestyle habits plays vital role in cancer prevention. With healthy lifestyle authentic knowledge should be achieved over myths and stigmas related to cancer and other deadly diseases. In my opinion, various patients cured but claimed much of the patients. However, we still lack proper knowledge about it. This highlights the need for generous contribution to support both cancer patients and doctors. Until, when we will live in the world of ignorance?
(The writer is a freelance writer and columnist)