Cancer is
one of the leading causes of death all around the world. There
are more than 200 different kinds of cancer that affect humans,
and nearly 8 million people die each year from cancer. Cancer
is a class of disease with different causes. When a person has
cancer, cells in an affected part of their body start to grow
uncontrollably and form tumors. There are two types of tumors,
benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous. These
tumors don't continue to grow uncontrollably and spread to other
parts of the body, but malignant tumors do. Malignant tumors
spread through the bloodstream or through the body's lymphatic
system.
Some types
of cancer are detected when patients have certain symptoms commonly
seen in these diseases; others are detected with routing screenings
such as mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical
cancer and prostate exams for prostate cancer. Once the disease
is diagnosed, doctors may prescribe a wide range of treatments
including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, as well as
various alternative and experimental therapies. Many cancers
have a higher cure rate when they are detected and treated in
the early stages of the disease, and for this reason, health
experts stress the importance of routine screenings. Unfortunately
because some cancers are more difficult to cure, many treatment
programs aim to alleviate symptoms and make the patient more
comfortable, rather than attempt to cure the disease. Many researchers
all around the world are working to find more effective treatments
and cures for the many types of cancer.
Although
there are many different types and causes of cancer, and medical
researchers don't understand all of the causes, there are many
risk factors that increase the likelihood of cancer, as well
as many lifestyle changes that decrease the chances of developing
cancer. Tobacco use is the single greatest risk factor; it causes
nearly 1 in 4 cancer deaths. Other risk factors include: lack
of physical activity, alcohol abuse, unhealthy low vegetable/fruit
diet ; air pollution and sexually transmitted HPV-infection.
While researchers
work to find better cures for cancer, early detection and prevention
are important in the global battle against cancer.
Since 1988,
the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation has coordinated
National Cancer Survivors Day on the first Sunday
in June as an international "Celebration of Life." Events
and activities take place around the world to show that "life
after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and productive."
A free planning guide is available on their website (www.ncsdf.org)
to help any community to host an event.
February
4 is observed each year as World Cancer Day to "unite
the world in the fight against the disease through raising awareness,
educating the public, and lobbying for change." (worldcancerday.org)
Do
One Thing to help cure cancer
1) participate in a walk or run or other cancer fundraising
or awareness raising activity;
2) urge your legislators to fund cancer research;
3) join more than ½ million people in signing the World
Cancer Declaration http://www.worldcancerday.org/wcd-sign-declaration
Links
World
Health Organization: World Cancer Day
National
Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
World Cancer Research
Fund International
Union For International
Cancer Control
American Cancer Society
National
Breast Cancer Foundation
CURE
CANCER QUOTES
