Dr. Guru Prasad Mohanta
A recent scientific article published in Science blamed cancer on bad luck and the news received wide media coverage. The scientists claimed “random mutations” (bad luck) are “the major contributors to cancer overall” and that this is “more important than hereditary or external environmental factors”.
The World Health Organisation’s specialised cancer agency International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) strongly contradicted the findings, and said, “Concluding that bad luck is the major contributor of cancer is misleading.”
Finding fault with the study report, IARC continued, “Several decades of international epidemiological studies have proved that many common cancers are consistent with major contribution of environmental and lifestyle exposures, as opposed to genetic variation or chance (luck)”.
Irrespective of the cause, cancer continues to be one of the leading killer diseases. Worldwide, on an average, 8.2 million people die every year due to cancer with four million premature deaths. In our country, about seven per cent deaths are attributed to cancer.
Negative public perception and stigma are often associated with cancer which hinders in raising awareness. We must realise that about one-third of cancer cases are preventable through a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Overweight and obese individuals are found to be at increased risk of bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophagus, kidney and gall bladder cancers at a later stage in life.
Harmful use of alcohol is linked to cancers of mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver, and breast. Similarly, tobacco use is associated with several forms of cancers including lung, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, cervix and stomach, and acute myeloid leukaemia.
Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, environment and excessive exposure of ultra violet radiation too contribute significantly for increased risk. Occupational including environmental exposures including to asbestos contribute substantially to cancer burden.
One wishing to follow a healthy diet should reduce total fat intake, eat more high fibre foods, include food rich in Vitamins A and C, include cruciferous vegetables like cabbage in diet, avoid smoked and salt-cured foods, and limit alcohol intake.
Empowering people to make healthy choices and reducing social and environmental risk factors are key to the solution of reducing cancer and other non-communicable disease burden. Adoption of healthy behaviours early in life reduces the risks of cancer, and diabetes and heart diseases in adulthood.
Everyone should know the seven warning signals: CAUTION. C- Change in bowel or bladder habits, A – A sore that does not heal, U – Unusual bleeding or discharge, T – Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere, I – Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, O – Obvious change in wrist or mole and N – Nagging cough or hoarseness. Giving a call to one’s doctor is necessary when one experiences these symptoms for more than a week or so.
Upon diagnosis of cancer, most of the patients experience strong emotional stress: feeling of fear, anger, loneliness, and anxiety. A little of our sympathy shared with them would make a positive change and help in fighting the cancer.
Once, while addressing a group of medical interns, the late Dr KP Mishra, the famous cardiologist, truly said, “We have many ‘pathys’ from Homoeopathy to Naturopathy to Allopathy, but what the patients also equally need is your sympathy.”
The weapons for fighting cancer are available and within our reach. “Treatment is worst than disease” is no longer valid. Prevention, early detection, treatment and care are known; and the combined strategies would help reduce the global cancer burden. But choosing to lead a healthy life is preferable. Prevention is better than cure!
The writer is Professor of Pharmacy,
Annamalai University
