Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer
Cancer is an epidemic and as is seen from the reports of the country's leading medical research institution, the risk around this disease will continue to grow in the coming years. On National Cancer Awareness Day here is a look at the report shared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), why it is important to not ignore the early signs of the disease and the reason for cancer awareness even after so many years.
Read: 8 things from your daily routine that can spike your blood sugar levels
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), "Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and is responsible for about 10 million deaths per year. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer."
National Cancer Awareness Day
Every year on November 7, cancer awareness day is observed in the country. This was put to practice 8 years before and it coincides with the birth anniversary of the Nobel-prize-winning scientist Madame Curie.
Cancer burden to increase by 2025
The ICMR report is an eye opener to the unawareness around cancer and the possible threat it has on mankind.
The report titled "Burden of cancers in India - estimates of cancer crude incidence, YLLs, YLDs and DALYs for 2021 and 2025 based on National Cancer Registry Program" published in the BMC Cancer journal talks about the cancer projection in India in the coming years.
The cancer burden in the country is likely to increase to 29.8 million in 2025 the report warns and adds that the cancer burden varies within the regions of India posing great challenges in its prevention and control. The study is based on the data retrieved from the National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) and other publicly available data sources.
North and northeastern regions to have the highest burden
The study found that the highest burden of cancer is likely to be in the north and northeastern regions of the country. Breast cancer in females, lung cancer and esophageal cancer in males contributed to the highest burden in northern and northeast regions, respectively, it said.
Males are more at risk
Among genders, it found that men are at a higher risk of cancer than women.
The common sites of cancer in men are the lungs, mouth, oesophagus, stomach and liver. Overall lung cancer comprises 10.6% of the total cancer cases in the country followed by breast cancer, oesophagus, mouth and stomach.
More than 40% of the total cancer burden was contributed by the seven leading cancer sites — lung (10.6%), breast (10.5%), esophagus (5.8%), mouth (5.7%), stomach (5.2%), liver (4.6%), and cervix uteri (4.3%), the study says.
"Cancer is treatable if detected early"
On National Cancer Awareness Day, the Union health ministry has tweeted on the importance of creating awareness around cancer especially in detecting it at an early stage. "#Cancer is treatable if detected early. Let’s join our hands together to create awareness for prevention of cancer," it has tweeted.
30-50% of cancers could be prevented, says the World Health Organisation (WHO) and adds that healthy lifestyle choices such as avoidance of tobacco and public health measures like immunization against cancer causing infections can help prevent the disease.
What are the early signs of cancer?
Always keep a track of your health and consult your doctor the moment you see any anomaly.
Unexplained weight loss: If you lose lots of weight all of a sudden without even trying for it, you need to take it seriously. Sudden weight loss that gives you a sick look can be a reason that something worse is happening within your body. Though weight loss is seen as a positive sign, a drop in weight loss that weakens you is worrisome.
Fatigue: Cancer fatigue is different from the fatigue you experience after a tiring working day. The cancerous cells use up your body's nutrients to grow and multiply and this can deprive your body of the required nutrients.
Fever: If you are falling sick often, it can be due to cancer. As per experts at John Hopkins University, fever associated with cancer mostly happens at night, there is no other sign of infection and one experiences night sweats often.
Skin: Skin is considered to be the window of several diseases including cancer. A change in the body usually reflects on the skin making it look dull. In many cases several unusual growths are also seen on the skin.
Pain: The tumor or a mass growing within the body and the metastasis inflict lots of pain on the body. If you are experiencing persistent pain, it can be due to cancer.
Check these signs in the body and consult your doctor immediately and go for the screening tests, if recommended.
The Union Health Ministry advises to get screened periodically for common cancers if you are more than 30 years old.
How to minimize cancer risk?
Unhealthy lifestyle contributes immensely to cancer therefore changes to these can reduce the burden of cancer.
Cut down the consumption of tobacco
Maintain a healthy body weight
Have a healthy diet of seasonal fruits and vegetables and unprocessed foods
Reduce alcohol consumption
Avoid UV exposure
Minimize occupational exposure to radiation
Start a Conversation
Post comment