New Delhi, Feb 3
Tobacco is the single most
important factor which causes cancer, but the disease can be prevented
by taking simple steps like eating a healthy diet, managing obesity and
proper exposure to the sun, say experts.
Vinit Talwar of the
capital's Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute said while in women, cancer is
caused due to over exposure to hormones, in men, the predominant factor
is tobacco.
"Tobacco use - smoking and chewing - is the single
most important factor for cancer in men. Nearly 60-70 percent of all
cancer cases in men are due to tobacco," Talwar told IANS.
According
to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 30 percent cancer deaths
can be prevented by addressing the main risk factors -- tobacco use,
alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and excess body weight.
Tobacco
use is the single most important factor for cancer, causing 22 percent
of the global 8.2 million deaths due to cancer, and 71 percent of the
global lung cancer deaths.
The southeast Asian region is home to 250 million smokers and an equal number of smokeless tobacco users.
In women, cancer is caused when there is early menarche and late menopause, obesity and exposure to viruses like HPV.
Cancer,
a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells
which can affect almost any part of the body, is a leading cause of
death around the world. WHO estimates that 84 million people will die of
cancer between 2005 and 2015 without intervention.
According to
WHO, lung and oral cancers are the most common cancers among men while
cervical and breast cancers are the most common cancers in women.
It
is estimated that India records 1.1 million new cancer cases every year
thus, contributing to 7.8 percent of the global cancer burden.
According
to Anupam Sachdeva, director, Paediatric Haematology Oncology and Bone
Marrow Transplantation Institute For Child Health, Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital: "Lifestyle factors, including diet, smoking, alcohol, exposure
to sun, physical inactivity, obesity and stress can greatly affect the
risk of developing cancer."
Elaborating on the diet factor, he
said: "A diet low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high in
energy-dense foods that are high in fat (such as red and processed
meats), refined sugar (such as refined grains) or salt can predispose
one to cancer."
Somnath Sarkar, of Thakur Pukur Cancer hospital
of Kolkata told IANS: "Such habits need to be curbed from the childhood.
Busier lifestyles mean that people are having more and more processed
food and fast food."
"Cancer is like any other disease which can
be prevented. At least one-third of cancers can be prevented by
following a healthy lifestyle and good diet," he added.
Preeti
Jain, consultant Oncology, Columbia Asia Hospital-Gurgaon said: "Cancer
is talked about as one of the most deadly diseases. We are often made to
believe that we cannot do anything about it since we do not know
exactly what causes cancer. But there is an increasing agreement among
health practitioners that a healthy lifestyle can play a major role in
reducing cancer risks."
"Not much is talked about preventive
measures as people believe there is nothing they can do to prevent
cancer. The truth is they can. By following health lifestyles, they can
cut the risk to a great extent," Jain told IANS.
For Sapna
Nangia, senior consultant radiation oncology, Indraprastha Apollo
Hospitals, an important factor in preventing cancer was getting regular
medical care, self-exams and screenings for various types of cancers -
such as cancer of the breast, colon, prostate and cervix.
"This
can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is
most likely to be successful. Ask your doctor about the best cancer
screening schedule for you," Nangia told IANS.
In addition, a
significant proportion of cancers can be cured, by surgery, radiotherapy
or chemotherapy, especially if they are detected early, she added.
Nangia
cautioned that immediate note should be taken of some issues like
unintentional weight loss, any kind of lumps, bumps and sores, chronic
cough or hoarseness of voice and lower back pain.
