World Cancer Day: 4th February, 2013

4th February, 2013. Today is World Cancer Day and what better than to choose today to explain the basic facts related to cancer.

What is cancer?

Caner has been one of the most dreaded diseases through ages. Cancer can be defined as "The disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body and  a malignant growth or tumor results from such a growth in the body."
The main types of cancer are;

• Lung cancer
• Liver cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer

How is cancer caused?

The cancer initiates from a single cell, where a normal cell converts to a malignant cell through a series of steps which depends on the person's genetic factors and a combination of three external factors;

• Physical carcinogens such as ultraviolet radiation and ionizing radiations
• Chemical carcinogens such as asbestos, aflatoxin, arsenic, tobacco smoke
• Biological carcinogens such as infections from different bacteria, virus and parasites.

What are the risk factors for cancer?

According to a WHO report, about 30% of deaths due to cancer incur because of behavioral and dietary issues such as high body mass index, low vegetable and fruit intake, lack of physical activity, use of tobacco and use of alcohol. Chronic infections from Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus also is a leading cause of cancer in many nations.

Can cancer be prevented?

If you have knowledge about causes of cancer, and follow a healthy life style, chances of cancer can be reduced to a large extent. An early detection and treatment of cancer can also help in complete eradication of the cancer cells from the body.
The major factors which if taken care of, cancer could have been avoided are;

• tobacco use
• being obese or overweight
• unhealthy diet
• lack of physical activity
• over use of alcohol and tobacco
• air pollution in the urban areas
• smoke inside homes due to use of solid fuels
• exposure to sunlight
• sexually transmitted HPV virus

Treatment of cancer

Cancer treatment requires an intervention of one or all of these depending on the staege and type of the cancer detected.

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy