World Cancer Day, 4th Feb 2021
Theme: I Am And I Will
The development of technology and industrialization are the main justifications for the high incidence of cancer in the world, for cancer has become a major killer through-out human history. This is the reason why every 04 February is commemorated in the world as a month to raise awareness on cancer. This year’s theme is “I am and I will”. It aims at joining actions and raise our communities’ awareness and have an impact on everyone.
Cancer is the generic or umbrella term for all diseases (breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, etc) from which cells grow abnormally. In other words, cancer is the development of abnormal cells, which divide in an uncontrollable way, spreading in the whole body, and destroy the normal cells. Thus, these cells are already in the body, but what leads to cancer is when they grow abnormally and spread in the body. It is worth noting that cancer is one of the main causes of several deaths in the world. As a result, the Katchoua Foundation joins its voice to the world to bring people’s attention to cancer, its causes, common types of cancers, and some tips on how to prevent cancer.
Causes of cancer
Smoking cigarette
Made from dry tobacco leaves, cigarettes contain chemicals that are cancer-causing. Such chemicals include; Nicotine (the addictive drug that produces the effects of cancer) hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, arsenic, just to name a few. Thus, take note that when smoking cigarettes, you are prone to cancer, especially cancer of the lungs.
Diet
Food plays a great role in your health for the quality of food you take determines your risk of cancer. Eating a lot of processed meat ( Processed meats include any meat that has been preserved by curing, salting, or smoking, or by adding chemical preservatives. These include; ham, bacon, and some sausages and burger) and red meat increases the risk of having bowel cancer. Likewise, diets high in refined starch and refined sugar may increase the risk of stomach cancer and bowel cancer. Conversely, a diet rich in vegetables, unprocessed grains, fruits can limit your risk of having cancer. It is thus recommended to reduce your processed meat and red meat intake. (CDC)
Fat
Studies indicate that there is a link between fat and cancer but there is no clear evidence about the direct relationship between fat and particular types of cancer (with the possible exception of prostate cancer). However, a high-fat diet may lead to obesity, which is a risk factor for several cancers, including cancers of the colon, breast, kidney, esophagus, gallbladder, and endometrium. Thus, it is highly recommended to control your food intake so as to limit fat intake which may lead to obesity, hence exposing one to cancer.
Alcohol
The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cancer, this is because any alcoholic beverage contains a certain percentage of ethanol depending on the type of beverage. Studies show that ethanol is the agent that increases your risk of having cancer. Likewise, alcohol can irritate your throat and mouth, by so doing, it may damage its cells and in the quest of repairing themselves, they may change the DNA which is a way towards cancer.
Drinking alcohol raises your risk of getting six types of cancer:
Mouth and throat.
Voicebox (larynx).
Esophagus.
Colon and rectum.
Liver.
Breast (in women).
Types of cancer
There are many types of cancer: Skin Cancer, Blood Cancer, Throat Cancer, Lungs Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Bowel cancer, Colon cancer, Liver Cancer, etc.
Preventing Cancer – Foods, and Drinks to Limit
Foods and drinks to limit in your diet or have less of include:
Fatty red meats and processed meats
Highly processed foods that are low in fiber
Heavily salted and pickled foods
A lot of carbohydrate meals or drinks
alcohol.
The Role of Grains in Preventing Cancer
Eating a lot from a variety of grains, grain products, legumes, roots, and tubers also provide protective measures against cancer. The less processed the grains, the better, so try to aim for whole-grain foods. Oats, brown rice, corn, unprocessed beans, soya beans are all good foods to consume.
Early Screening
As the Katchoua Foundation often says, early detection helps early treatment which thus prevents early death, this means one of the best preventive measures is to do screening. Regularly do your screening and it will help you in the treatment.
Cancer is real in our society. Although it is believed that there is no cure to this disease, there are ways to prevent these cancers and we can take actions to curb the spread of this deadly disease in our society by putting into practice these tips and raising awareness in our community.
By Yipa Glwadys
