Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury
Cancer is a term that describes abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy healthy body tissue. It is common for cancer to spread throughout the body. In the world, it ranks as the second-most common cause of death. Every type of cancer has a different treatment plan, so getting the diagnosis right is crucial to getting the right kind of care. Typically, cancer treatment involves systemic therapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery.
What are the cancer risks?
Cancer can take decades to develop. That’s why the majority of cancer patients are 65 years of age or older. While it’s more common in older adults, cancer isn’t exclusively an adult disease, rather it can be diagnosed at any age.
Cancer can be result of a number of factors, including smoking, drinking more than one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, being over-weight, regular sunburn, and participating in unsafe sexual activity.
A hereditary problem accounts for only a small percentage of cancer cases. If cancer is common in your family, then it’s possible that mutations are passing from one generation to the next, that might increase your risk of certain cancers. There are certain long-term medical problems, including ulcerative colitis, that can significantly raise your risk of getting specific types of cancer.
The environment may contain harmful chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. An increased risk of cancer is in link with chemicals like asbestos and benzene that might be in your home or place of work.
Why are cancer rates increasing?
Our sedentary lifestyle, our genetics and family history, our exposure to viruses, the job we do, and the air we breathe can all play different roles in our overall risk of developing the disease. The reason behind this is that cancer is a disease of our genes, which are the segments of DNA that contain the instructions for every tiny mechanism within our cells.
Over time, mistakes accumulate in this code; scientists can now see them stamped in cancer’s DNA. These mistakes can kick-start a cell’s journey towards becoming cancerous.
We have more time for mistakes to build up the longer we live. We build up more of these genetic flaws over time, increasing our chance of getting cancer.
What are the most common cancers in women?
The top five cancers among Indian women were found to be those of the breast, cervix, ovary, mouth, and colorectum, as per the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report. Some other cancers that most often affect women are colorectal, lung, endometrial, and skin. Factors linked to an increased risk of cancer in Indian women are on the rise. A few of them include dietary modifications, physical inactivity, professions, infections, and alcohol and tobacco use. The burden of cancer is further increases with consequential risk factors, which include low parity, delayed childbirth, and reproductive issues. Many of these tumours are in connection to reproductive organs, while certain other organs, i.e., thyroid and gall bladder cancers, have come across to occur more frequently in women.
Your life may be saved if you are aware of certain cancers and what you can do to help prevent them or identify them early, when they are little, haven’t spread, and may be simpler to treat.
Which Indian state has the highest cancer rate?
India’s cancer burden was estimated to be 26.7 million DALYs in 2021 and is predicted to rise to 29.8 million by 2025. The leading cause of sickness and mortality in the world is cancer. The incidence of cancer varies greatly throughout Indian regions, making prevention and treatment of the disease extremely difficult. South and North-East Indian states have reported the highest number of cancer cases over the past few decades, particularly in Kerala. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Kerala, while oral and lung cancer are more prevalent in males.
Prevention of tobacco-related and cervical cancers and earlier detection of treatable cancers would reduce cancer deaths in India. This is particularly in the rural areas where cancer services are not as per demand.
Preventing cancer involves adopting a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and minimizing exposure to known risk factors. Certain strategies can significantly reduce your chances of developing the disease, like eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, practicing safe sex, limiting exposure to environmental carcinogens, including tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, protecting against sun exposure, getting vaccination, and screening for early detection.
Remember, while these steps can reduce your risk, they cannot guarantee prevention. It’s essential to prioritize your overall health and well-being by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying informed about cancer prevention strategies. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can also help detect cancer early or identify any potential risk factors.
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