Cancer Prevention
Cancer Prevention is the practice of taking active measures to prevent cancer from developing or to lower the incidence of Cancer. This can include maintaining healthy life style, avoiding exposure to known cancer causing substances (Carcinogens) and taking medicines or vaccinations that can prevent cancer from developing
Cancer warning Signals,one shouldn’t ignore
C -Change in bowel or Bladder habitsA -a sore that does not heal, especially in mouth, lips or tongueU -Unusual bleeding or Unexplained weight lossT -thickening or lump which appear where none were present previously especially Breast and neckI -Persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowingO -Obvious change in the wart or moleN -Nagging cough or hoarseness of voice
If any of the these signs and symptoms persist for more than 2 to 3 weeks or they are getting worse , They should be reported on urgent basis
Most serious concern is that the majority of early stage cancers are often largely asymptomatic. By the time patient shows physical signs of cancer, It may be the advanced stage of cancer
Also certain individuals may be recognized to have high risk of some kind of cancers based on family history and genetic abnormalities.
So through regular screening we can detect the cancers in early and asymptomatic phase. When the cure rate can be as high as 95 % in most cases
Modifiable Risk Factors have been liked to number of cancers including Breast, Cervix, Lung, Prostate ,Colorectal, Head and Neck, Oral Cavity,Skin,oesophagus,some kind of sarcomas
Risk factors of cancer include non-modifiable risk factors such as genetic abnormalities, age , race and gender and Modifiable risk factors such as tobacco ,gutka,alcohol use, excessive sun exposue ,obesity etc
- Exercise Regularly and Maintain a healthy weight as obesity is linked to number of Cancers
- Eat healthy Diet ( Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, while limit red and processed meat )
- Avod smoking , Chewing tobacco ,alcohol as they are directly linked with lung ,head and neck and liver cancers
- Protect from excessive sun exposure as ultraviolet rays are directly linked with skin cancers
- Get regular screening starting @ 21 years Cervix @ 40 Breast @45 Colon @ 50 Prostate and Lung
- Get vaccinated especially for Hep B and HPV There are some medicines, herbs, antioxidants and other substances used to prevent some kind of cancers or lower its risk in high risk individuals .eg
- HPV vaccine to prevent or decrease the risk of Cervical and several other Cancers
- Hepatitis B vaccine to decrease some kind of Liver Cancers