World Cancer Day is to raise awareness on cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The primary goal of the Day is to reduce illness and death caused by cancer. It is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.
World Cancer Day was established on February 4, 2000 at the World Cancer Summit held at Paris. The theme for this year is: Close The Care Gap, aimed at identifying and addressing the barriers that exist for many people around the world in accessing the care they need.
Among the diseases, cancer is a major killer and has always figured uniquely in the ailments of mankind. For centuries, people spoke of cancer in low tunes or not at all, as the disease was not only dreadful, but somehow shameful.
Today, the picture has changed. People with cancer, if properly diagnosed early and managed effectively, can live their life span.
Cancer is a term for a number of diseases caused by abnormal growth of cells that make up the body divide and produced in an orderly manner so that they can grow, replace worn-out tissue and repair injuries. Sometimes, cells grow out of control, divide more than they should and form masses known as tumours.
There are many major types of cancer, including Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Skin Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Ovarian and Uterine, Cancer of the Kidney, Cancer of the Pancreas, Cancer of the Liver, Cancer of the Brain, Cancer of the Laryns, Thyroid Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Cancer of the Bones, Colon-Rectum Cancer, Cancer of the Mouth and Cancer of Lymphatic System.
Signs of cancer are: persistent lump or thickening in tissue, especially to the lip, tongue, or breast; irregular bleeding or blood-tinged discharged from anybody opening, including a nipple; sore that does not heal, especially if located in the mouth or on the tongue or lips and persistent indigestion or loss of appetite, especially in people over forty years of age.
Other signs include sudden or rapid changes in the form, appearance, or rate of growth of a mole or wart; persistent change from the change normal in bowel action; persistent hoarseness, cough, soreness deep in the throat, or difficulty in swallowing.
Treatment depends on the kind of cancer, its side, location, and the involvement of adjacent or distant tissues. Cancer can be managed successfully without surgery on early detection and by prompt report from the patient.
Pain is not common in early stages: but later, when nerve tissue is invaded or pressed upon, pain is caused. If one waits for pain to develop before seeking medical attention, it is likely to be too late. Secondary infections are common in many cancers, often causing fever and other general symptoms of infection. The most characteristics of all the late signs and symptoms are increased anemia, pallor, weakness, and emaciation
If all persons would co-operate in taking advantage of available means of early diagnosis and cure, more than 40 percent of current cancer deaths could be prevented. Fear and fright are the major obstacles to the cure of cancer. Patients are labeled as having incurable disease that will lead to their deaths.
However, the earlier any cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of it being cured and the longer the person lives. Therefore, screening for cancer is very important.
Again, people who drink and smoke are at the multiple risks of certain cancers. Alcohol and tobacco work together to cause more damage. Be conscious on these and reduce the intake of Alcohol and tobacco as 70% of known causes of cancers are avoidable and related to lifestyle and bad habit. Screening, tests and vaccines can equally prevent infections.
Consequently, the World Cancer Day singular initiative is for the entire world to unite in the fight against cancer with a conscientious agreement that Cancer Is Not Beyond Us.