Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases and can affect any body organ.<\/p>\n
Cancer arises from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.<\/p>\n
Known environmental carcinogenic factors can be:<\/p>\n
Cancer usually forms as a solid tumour (called a malignant tumour) which has the ability to invade other tissues and spread throughout the body (this is called metastasis).<\/p>\n
Symptoms vary according to the system affected ie. cough, hoarseness, any skin changes or lumps, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing,\u00a0 unusual bleeding (for example in urine, stool, vaginal) or feeling weak and tired. These symptoms are not always cancer, but if they persist for longer than two weeks, it is important to see your doctor.<\/p>\n
While cancer is a chronic disease, 30-50% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle modifications while 40% of cancers are curable if diagnosed early. (WHO, 2017)<\/p>\n
According to the CDC, being overweight or obese is associated with at least 13 different types of cancers while a balanced Mediterranean diet has been proven to significantly reduce risk for cancer (Schwingshackl &Hoffmann, 2014).<\/p>\n
\u00a0Tobacco use is the single most important modifiable risk factor for cancer.- WHO, 2017<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Exposure to other peoples\u2019 cigarette smoke (passive smoking) causes cancer which can be prevented through proper implementation of smoking bans that could save hundreds of thousands of children and non-smokers every year.\u00a0(National Health Institute, 2011)<\/p>\n
Prevention<\/h3>\n
Major Risk Factors:\u00a0Tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity (WHO, 2017)<\/h5>\n
\n\n
\n Take Action!<\/strong><\/td>\n Explanation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Quit smoking and use of all forms of tobacco!<\/strong><\/td>\n Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known carcinogenic substances.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Make your home smoke-free and support smoke-free public spaces and workplaces<\/strong><\/td>\n Passive smoke causes cancer in non-smokers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Manage your weight and maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI)<\/strong><\/td>\n Obesity has been linked with increased incidence of cancers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables high in fibre and avoid processed foods<\/strong><\/td>\n 30% of all cancer cases have been linked to poor diet according to WHO<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Get active!<\/strong><\/td>\n A key factor found in reducing risk for cancer is getting regular physical activity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Limit intake of alcohol<\/strong><\/td>\n Alcohol has been linked with increased incidence of several types of cancers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Take measures to reduce radon exposure in your home.<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ensure your children take part in vaccination progra<\/strong>ms<\/strong><\/td>\n Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n (IARC, European Commission)<\/sup><\/h5>\n
Preventable Cancers<\/h5>\n
\n\n
\n Common Types of Cancers<\/strong><\/td>\n Prevention\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n Physicians\u2019 recommendation when indicated<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Lung\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Quit smoking<\/li>\n
- Protect yourself from environmental pollutants at work and home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- Spirometry<\/li>\n
- X-ray or CT scan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Melanoma<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Protect yourself from the sun and use sun protection<\/li>\n
- Monitor moles on the body and consult your dermatologist as needed<\/li>\n
- Do not use sunbeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- Dermatoscopy<\/li>\n
- Biopsy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Cervical (women)<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Practice safe sex<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t smoke<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- HPV shot (girls)<\/li>\n
- Papanicolaou (PAP) cytology test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Breast (women)<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Conduct routine self-breast exams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- Mammogram<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Prostate (men)<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Visit your family physician for regular check-ups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- PSA test<\/li>\n
- Ultrasound<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Bowel\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n
- Eat healthy diet high in fibre<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n \n
- Colonoscopy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
(National Cancer Institute, 2015)<\/sup><\/h5>\n
Treatment<\/h3>\n
Recent advances in chemotherapy (immunotherapy, molecular, targeted or precision therapy), in surgery (minimal invasion and video-assisted procedures) and in diagnosing and staging (CT scan, PET scan, endoscopic ultrasound) have led to early diagnosis, improved prognosis and quality of life.<\/p>\n
Treatment options:<\/h5>\n
\n\n
\n \n \n
- Surgery<\/li>\n
- Radiation<\/li>\n
- Chemotherapy<\/li>\n
- Hormone therapy<\/li>\n
- Immunotherapy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n