Today is World Cancer Day, a day dedicated to the creation of awareness about Cancer, its causes, statistics, preventive measures, treatment and showing of support to people suffering from the disease.
This year’s theme is #WeCanICan and it seeks to explore how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. Just as cancer affects everyone in different ways, all people have the power to take various actions to reduce the impact that cancer has on individuals, families, and communities. Here are some facts that you should know about Cancer.
- Cancer is a group of diseases caused by an uncontrolled spread of abnormal cells in the body that form tumors (growths/lumps). It can affect any part of the body. Blood cancers do not form tumors. Some cancers can be detected early, increasing the chances of effective treatment.
- Cancer is now being diagnosed in one out of every three persons and the most common cancer types affecting women in Nigeria are Breast and Cervical Cancer while Prostate cancer is the most common affecting males in Nigeria.
- Nigeria has the 13th lowest life expectancy in the world, and cancer is a major contributor. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 80% of cancer deaths worldwide occur in developing countries like Nigeria. This indicates that 80,000 Nigerians die from cancer every year out of 100, 000 Nigerians diagnosed with cancer and boiling down to roughly 10 Nigerians dying every hour of cancer and related diseases.
Based on these alarming statistics and facts, it is imperative to learn about reducing the risk of getting cancer
– Most cancer cases could be avoided by living a healthy lifestyle.
- Major risk factors of cancer are being overweight, unhealthy diet with low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, alcohol use, sexually transmitted HPV-infections, infection by HBV (Hepatitis virus), ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, urban air pollution and indoor smoke from household use of solid fuels.
- As such, The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that 30-50% of cancers are preventable by adoption of healthy lifestyle choices such as avoidance of tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, eating healthy and taking public health measures like immunization against cancer-causing infections amongst others.
- Early detection also increases the chances of treatment and cure so Know your body and watch for signs of cancer. Report any changes in your health to your doctor. Go for regular screening and checks.
Happy World Cancer Day Flexxer!
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