Cancer will become number one killer by 2010, according world cancer report issued by World Health Organization. Heart diseases are now causing highest number of medical deaths in the world. People from poor and developing countries will suffer more due to changing diet habits, smoking and poor health care and non-availability of proper screening procedures. Cancer in 2010 will cause more deaths the combined death toll of AIDS, T.B and Malaria. Lung cancer due to smoking is the major reason for rising cancer deaths as mortality rate is very high in lung cancer. Cervical cancer is the major cause for cancer deaths in women in developing nations due to lack of screening to detect cancer in early stage and lack of vaccination against HPV. Cancer deaths are falling in developed nations due to proper health facilities, decline in smoking habit, regular screening, vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis, better cancer awareness and affordability to take cancer treatment. Adoption of Western habits like eating junk food, lack of exercise and increase in bad habits like smoking and alcoholism are leading causes for increase in cancer in developing nations like India and China. Cancer statistics: 1. About 12 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in this year. 8 million people will die due to cancer in 2008. 2. About 27 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed by 2030, according to World Cancer Report. 17 million deaths occur due to cancer. 3. Lung cancer has highest mortality rate among all major cancers. Cancer and Smoking: 40% of smokers are living in India and China out of 1.3 billion smokers in the world. Smoking causes lung cancer which kills more people than any other type of cancer. Governments of developing nations should provide free screening procedures to all women to prevent deaths from diseases like cervical cancer and breast cancer. They should do mass scale vaccination against Hepatitis and HPV. … [Read more...]
Cancer deaths will rise in elderly patients
Number of cancer patients aged 65 or above would double by 2030, according to World Health Organization. New cancer cases may increase from 10.9 million in 2002 to about 16 million in 2020. Cancer deaths would rise from 6.7 million in 2002 to 10.3 million in 2020. 30% of these cancer deaths are in elder patients aged above 75. Lack of awareness about latest developments in cancer research and treatment options making elder patients are worst sufferers. Another major reason for these deaths is lack of proper treatment. Cancer patients aged above 65 generally not adhere to complex cancer regimes. Memory problems and lack of social support are the reasons behind this non-compliance. Most of these old patients live in socially isolated atmosphere. These patients can’t bear the cost of treatment especially in developing countries. Change in lifestyle habits of people from developing countries is another reason behind this cancer time bomb. Increases in smoking, alcoholism and junk food consumption are triggers for this rise in cancer cases. Governments need to allocate more budget on health expenditure and provide free treatment for patients aged above 65. People from developed countries are utilizing advanced cancer treatments in preventing cancer deaths. But people of developing nations unable to utilize these drug regimes due to lack of awareness and money. According to some reports, 30 African and Asian countries do not even have radiotherapy machines. It is waste to expect quality care in these countries. … [Read more...]
Cervical cancer: New visual Diagnosis technique
Cervical cancer accounts for 40% of cancer deaths amongst Indian women. It is the third top killer of Indian rural women in the 15-44 age groups (Suicide occupies the topmost position, followed by tuberculosis, causing the deaths in the above age group women). Pap smear, a routine medical test, used as diagnostic test to detect cervical cancer, was beyond the reach of illiterate women in the villages. New method of testing for Cervical Cancer is as given below: Cervical cancer can be screened by a mere visual examination, preceded by a swab with fresh acetic acid. By this procedure the disease can be detected at an early stage, and treatment can be initiated at a very early stage of the disease and the cure rate is much more, when compared to the previous testing procedures. Already about 1600 health workers 160 doctors were trained. It is found that the women were interested and 94% even agreed to cooperate when contacted at home. Dr.Elizabeth Vallikad hopes that “they are trying to light the fire from the bottom, and interacting with women and the other functionaries in the village administration.” The voluntary organizations are also being roped in to create awareness among village women to demand visual examination as a matter of right, as the issue cannot be left to the choice of health functionaries. Source: Sreelatha Menon. … [Read more...]
Breast cancer is the number one killer cancer
Breast Cancer Statistics: Among cancer killers, Breast cancer jumped from no.3 to no.1 place within 10 years. 25% of breast cancer patients are below the age of 50 years. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. Around 40,000 American women are falling prey to breast cancer. It is on rise among new age women who are highly ambitious and are working under severe stress. New age women are staying away from pregnancy and lactation due to work load and wrong notions. Due to this, they are suffering from harmful effects of Estrogen like Breast cancer which are normally nullified by lactation and pregnancy. Risk factors for Breast Cancer: 1. Hereditary. 2. Stressful work like. 3. Some Chemicals (latest research) 4. Late marriage and pregnancy (after 35) 5. Staying away from breast feeding. 6. Alcoholism and Smoking. 7. Junk food and fat diet. Breast Cancer Prevention: Breast cancer is a preventable disease with regular screening. High risk women should undergo screening from 30 years onwards. All women over 40 should be screened for Breast cancer annually. According to latest research by National Cancer Research, screening for breast cancer is in decline in American women. … [Read more...]
Occupational Cancer deaths are on rise
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 0.2 million cancer deaths are due to their work place. Majority of these cancer deaths are due to Asbestos fibres, Benzene and second-hand smoke. Most of these cancer deaths are occurring in the developed world. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed every year on 28 April. The United Nations health agency marked World Day for Safety and Health at Work with a call for the removal cancer causing substances (Carcinogens) from workplaces. WHO laid more emphasis on these deaths because 90% these deaths are preventable. According to World Health Organisation, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma and Bladder Cancer are the most common occupational cancers. 10% Lung cancer deaths are due to occupational hazards and around 90,000 deaths are due to asbestos fibres. The UN agency said 10% of lung cancer deaths are due to occupational hazards, and about 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at work, leading to at least 90,000 deaths each year. Mesothelioma is the cancer caused due to asbestos. Benzene, an inorganic compound used in rubber, dyes, drugs, diamonds and pesticide industries, is responsible for thousands of deaths due to leukaemia. Those who are exposed to second hand smoke are twice the risk of lung cancer than those in a smoke free environment. What is more pity is all these deaths are preventable causes of cancer. Governments should ban smoking in work places and crowded public places. There should be incentives for those companies who are providing strict and hygienic work environment. … [Read more...]
