Cancer incidence is increasing worldwide, especially in India. Ahead of World Cancer Day, Dr. Sandip Bartak details the role of lifestyle and genetics in cancer, highlighting the importance of public awareness and early detection.
February 4th every yearth Since 2000, the world has come together to commemorate. world cancer day Raise awareness about the disease and emphasize early detection and prevention. Our ongoing theme, “Closing the Care Gap,'' aims to drive significant change and improve health equity across regions and demographics through collaborative efforts to reduce the global burden of cancer. It is a three-year campaign launched in 2022 to recognize the urgency to accelerate. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the world, killing nearly 10 million people in 2020. Additionally, an estimated 400,000 children develop cancer each year.
said Dr. Sandip Vartakke, Pediatric Hematology Consultant and Oncologist at Surya Maternal and Child Specialist Hospital, Pune. TheHealthsite.com On “The role of lifestyle and genetics in increasing cancer incidence in India and the need for public awareness and early detection”.
India's rising cancer burden
India's cancer burden has raised concerns in recent years, with more than 1.4 million cancer cases reported in 2022, while the country's cancer burden will rise to more than 1.5 million by 2025. It is estimated that. Furthermore, according to a study conducted by the Lancet regional journal Health Southeast Asia, India contributed the second highest burden of cancer in Asia in 2019, with 1.2 million cases in the same year. The number of people and deaths accounted for 930,000. According to research, one in nine people in India is likely to develop cancer in their lifetime, with breast cancer and lung cancer being the most prevalent in women and men respectively. In children aged 0 to 14 years, lymphocytic leukemia is the most common cancer on record.
The role of genetics and lifestyle
Although carcinogens such as radiation and viral infections are common perpetrators of the disease, genetics and lifestyle factors also often contribute significantly to the likelihood of developing cancer. Almost 10% of all cancers can be caused by genetic changes, and if a parent passes on her mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes to her offspring, that child is more likely to develop cancer. Lifestyle and quality of life also play a vital role in determining the likelihood of developing cancer. Factors such as smoking, cigarettes, inadequate or unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, and stress can also significantly contribute to the development of cancer.
Need for public awareness for early detection
Despite concerns and fears about this disease, it is essential to remember that approximately 30% to 50% of cancers are preventable through early detection, avoidance of risk factors, and prompt treatment. To detect early signs of cancer, look for commonly known symptoms such as unexplained symptoms, as well as symptoms such as fatigue, prolonged cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. We recommend that you look out for signs that are often ignored. Bleeding, the appearance or change of a lump or mole.
Most cervical and liver cancers can be prevented through vaccination. Hepatitis B vaccination greatly reduces the risk by protecting against viruses that can cause liver cancer. Similarly, HPV vaccination prevents infections that can cause cervical cancer by targeting high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus.
Diagnosing cancer early, through timely detection of symptoms, greatly increases the probability of a successful treatment response and increases the chance of survival. Additionally, timely screening procedures such as mammography and HPV (human papillomavirus) screening may further ensure early detection of breast and cervical cancer, respectively.
