World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness on cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world.
Cancer can be defined in simple words as the uncontrolled growth of cells. The second characteristic of cancer cells is their ability to survive with the normal cells of the body. Cancer is known to spread to distal organs and can also recur at local site after treatment.
This condition has tormented humans for as long of our civilisation has existed. Cancer is not new to the humans as it is being perceived today. It is recorded in Egyptian texts dating back to about 5,000 years and similarly it has been mentioned in Ancient Indian medical texts Charak and Sushruta Samhitas. It was known as “Arbud”.
A study published in the Lancet 2017 shows that the incidence of cancer in children is increasing day by day. A UK based charity; Children with Cancer organisation states that the exposure to external factor such as pesticides, air pollution and dietary habits may have bearing on the increased incidence of childhood cancer.
In his professional experience, this author has known the child of a family friend who developed a germ cell tumour at the age of six months. Here, the cause seems to be either genetic or environmental in the womb.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 2016 data shows a significant rise in the incidence of cancer among both men and women. Cancer burden in India has more than doubled over the last 25 years. The highest incidence of cancer in women is breast cancer and oral cavity cancer in men. According to government of India report breast, cervical, oral cavity and lung cancer together constitute almost 40 per cent of all cancer burden.
Tobacco in any form is known to cause cancer. Tobacco smoking causes lung cancer and tobacco chewing causes oral cancer. The consumption of alcohol is linked with liver and stomach cancer mainly but may cause breast cancer too.
It has been found that there is a synergistic impact of smoking and drinking in the risk of developing several types of cancer particularly oral cancer and stomach cancer. Several prominent studies have found an increased cancer risk associated with urban air pollution. Particulate matter present in the ambient air has been found to be a major contributor to increased cancer risk.
It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of cancer cases can be linked to embryonic exposures of toxins which are commonly found in many commonly used household substances most notably liquid detergents and certain cosmetic products. In June 2015, a global collective of medical resources attempted to address the long standing concerns of chemical exposure in everyday life which estimated that up to 20 per cent of cancer cases can be linked to environmental exposure of toxins. A study published in 2016 found that 90 per cent of the US households had dust which contained chemical suspected to be harmful to human health specifically by interfering with the endocrine and reproductive function.
Free radicals in the body are known to damage the normal cells and these free radicals are linked with the cause of cancer. Antioxidants are important for good health and offer other benefits too. It is good to consume antioxidants through natural colourful fresh vegetables and fruits.
It has been estimated that 30 per cent of all cancer in developed nations and 20 per cent in the developing nations are linked to the diet we consume. Over a hundred studies from around the world have reported a link between red meat intake as a likely cause of developing cancer while the exact pathway of cause of cancer is not clear. Out of all meat, beef has the highest positive correlation with colon cancer.
Diet plays a vital role in maintaining good health. Most of the lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hyper tension, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hyper lipidemia and many other diseases are linked with bad food habits. But certain foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, carrot, beans, berries, tomatoes reduce the chances of cancer and can reduce the growth of the cancer cells significantly. Other foods like turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, citrus fruits, flaxseeds, olive oil and fatty fish are known to reduce the chances of cancer as well. It has become increasing clear that overeating can have a major impact on your risk of developing cancer.
Green tea is the healthiest and probably one of the cheapest beverages on the planet and it is loaded with the hundreds of micronutrients and plenty of anti-oxidants that have powerful effect on the body. It not only improves the brain function but reduces the body weight and decreases the risk of cancer.
Tea is rich in polyphenols and green tea has about 30 per cent polyphenols by weight. The polyphenols reduce the formation of free radicals in the body which can damage the normal cells. These free radicals are also known to play a role in ageing. The treatment of cancer usually includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other supportive therapies. The most important factor which influences the outcome of the treatment depends upon the age and, co-morbidities of the patient, type, site, size, stage, quality of surgery and doubling time of the cancer.
The price of the anti-cancer drugs is phenomenally high and is hurting the low income people and developing countries the most. The high price of anti-cancer drugs is even pinching the developed nations of the world like USA, UK and other European countries. According to a survey which was conducted in 2014 by National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, it was found that out of pocket expenditure on cancer treatment is among the highest for any ailment. Cancer can be a major cause of acquired poverty.
The treatment of cancer is very expensive India it is reported that treatment cost can go up to Rs 20 lakh per year. In certain cancers one can imagine how difficult it would be to the patient and their families when 22 per cent of the Indian population is still living below poverty line according to the government of India data collected in 2011.
Various scientific studies have found that about 60 per cent of cancer related deaths can be prevented by primordial prevention (removing the cause of disease so that exposure to risk is minimal) and early detection by screening (test to detect disease).
In spite of spending significant amount of money for treatment which families are usually unable to afford --but somehow arrange by borrowing money from friends and relatives or by selling their meagre assets-- they ultimately lose the beloved one to the fight against cancer and in such a way the whole family gets devastated.
Improper diet, adulterated food, contaminated and polluted air, water and soil are the common causes of cancer. Recently other factors like lack of physical activity and obesity have been found to be linked with cancer development.
Cancer awareness and early detection should be a priority for all governments and particularly in our country because of the negative socio economic implications. It will be worthwhile to educate and spread awareness among the people to take steps to prevent cancer and realise the importance of early detection and adequate treatment.