Debunking cancer myths

Feb 18, 2014

Each year the World Health Organisation (WHO) supports the International Union Against Cancer and promotes ways to ease the global burden of cancer. World Cancer Day was celebrated on February 4, 2014. This year’s theme was “Debunk the Myths”.

By Dr. Cory Couillard
 
Each year the World Health Organisation (WHO) supports the International Union Against Cancer and promotes ways to ease the global burden of cancer. World Cancer Day was celebrated on February 4, 2014. This year’s theme was “Debunk the Myths”.
 
The battle against cancer will not be won with treatment alone. Effective prevention measures are urgently needed to prevent the cancer crisis.
 
WHO statistics show that cancer claimed more than 8.2 million lives in 2012; ranking it as one of the leading causes of death. Cancer cases are expected to rise from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next two decades.
 
The deadliest forms of cancer include; lung, liver, stomach, colorectal and breast cancers. About one third of all cancer cases can be prevented through improvement of one’s diet, physical exercise and lifestyle factors, while reducing tobacco, alcohol and sugar use.
 
Cancer myth one: Cancer is just a health issue
Cancer is not only a serious medical condition, but it also has far-reaching social, familial, economic implications. It affects people of all ages and social-economic class. 
 
The diagnosis not only is a cause and an outcome of poverty. Cancer affects an individual’s ability to earn income, but its treatment can also cause complete financial ruin.  
 
Cancer is skyrocketing in developing areas. In such areas, people lack access to education, prevention techniques and health care access. The rapid urbanisation undermines national and international health resources.
 
This leaves people dying from the disease. If the current trends continue, cancer is expected to increase by more than 70% in developing countries.  
 
Cancer myth 2: Cancer is a death sentence
Cancers that were once thought to carry a death sentence are now being cured. Cancer can also be prevented through advances in lifestyle education, awareness and prevention programmes. The new treatment is actually prevention. 
 
Improved education and access to preventative care is bringing improved cancer outcomes to patients. A prime example is cervical cancer rates. Access to pap (cervical cancer) testing and awareness has lowered cervical cancer mortality by half between 1990 and 2010 in the UK. 
 
Cancer myth 3: Cancer is my fate
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, no more than 10% of cancers are due to inherited genes. Additionally, one third of the most common cancers can be prevented through lifestyle factors. 
 
One’s lifestyle will play a critical role in one’s overall health, energy and vitality. Lifestyle can be the difference between developing cancer at age 40 or 70. The difference is an improved quality of life. 
 
The WHO’s World Cancer Report 2014 recommends a diet packed with vegetables, fruit and whole grains; cutting down on alcohol and red meat and eliminating processed meat completely.
 
Chronic infections from hepatitis B, C and some types of sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) are leading risk factors for cancer. Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, is a leading cause of cancer death among women. 
 
A pap test and visual inspection by a qualified health care professional are effective ways to screen individuals with symptoms. Early screening and diagnosis programmes are particularly important in low-resource settings where the majority of patients are diagnosed in very late stages.
 
Do not wait until it is too late — prevention and early detection saves lives. Maintain a healthy weight, eat well, cut out sugar, keep active, limit alcohol and do not smoke. 
 
Dr Cory Couillard is an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and control. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement. 
 
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