Cancer is one of the biggest and ever-rising causes of concern and fear in the people of our nation even today!
While there is a lot of awareness of the various surgical oncology treatments to fight cancer, there is little awareness of the ways in which cancer can be prevented.
Yes, it is true that the root cause of cancer remains unknown, however, research suggests that minimal changes in lifestyle and our choices can help us live a healthy and cancer-free life.
AVOID TOBACCO CONSUMPTION
Did you know that smoking cannot only cause cancer but also block the body from fighting cancer. Various poisonous elements which are available in cigarette smoke have been known to weaken the internal immune system of the human body making it more difficult and almost impossible to kill cancer cells. This not only prevents the body from accepting the oncology treatment but also amplifies the growth of these cells.
The poisonous elements of tobacco damage and change the DNA of the cell. The DNA as we know is known to control and monitor a cell's normal growth and function. When there is damage caused to the DNA, the cell grows without any monitoring or control and thus becomes a tumour.
Experts are of the opinion that smoking is the root cause of nine in 10 lung cancer cases.
Did you know that even though the individuals in the 1960s smoked at least 10 times of cigarettes as the individuals of today, the individual of today is at a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer? The reason for this is the composition of the chemicals apart from tobacco in cigarettes today.
Therefore the primary step to preventing cancer is to avoid tobacco consumption.
MAKE CONSCIOUS CHOICES OF FOOD
Did you know that obesity is the leading cause of cancer in today’s day and age? The foods that we consume directly affect the probability of developing cancer. High energy and high-fat diets that can lead to obesity are the primary contributing factor to various types of cancer. There are primarily five groups of food
- Fruits
- Vegetables and legumes
- Meat and seafood
- Grains and cereals
- Dairy
Consuming or planning your diet in a way that covers all these five food groups in recommended portions will help and facilitate you to maintain a healthy diet ensuring the provision of a plethora of nutrients to your body. When you decide to plan your meals as per the aforementioned suggestion, you are at a reduced risk of obesity and therefore at negligible risk of developing cancer and thus at a zero risk of facing any of the much-dreaded surgical oncology procedures.
A HEALTHY BODY AND A HEALTHY MIND ARE THE KEYS
Any sort of mental, physical, or emotional baggage can lead to psychological stress. While some amount of psychological stress is normal, when triggered beyond its limits, this stress can lead to unhealthy physical changes in the body thus leading to a trigger in cancer cells.
Distress in today’s day can be originated from various root causes from something as usual as daily responsibilities, routine chores, or more unusual and unfortunate events such as post-traumatic stress disorder, illness in a close family member etc...
Additionally, in times when people feel that they have lost control over themselves, they begin to sink into a mood of distress and such distress can be the cause of cancer. This can lead to adverse clinical outcomes and does be the most significant contributing factor in the cause of cancer.
While it is true that stress cannot directly cause cancer or has not been directly related to causing tumour cells, studies indicate a rock-solid link between psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer.
Having said that, patients who already have cancer or are scheduled to undergo tumour removal surgery may experience aggravated symptoms or a faster multiplication in the malignant tumour cells of cancer because not only are they enduring the physical challenges but are also undergoing the psychological stress of the same.
Many treatments of cancer have now, therefore, become comprehensive in nature which means that apart from providing the treatment of cancer, there are psycho-oncological experts who are well trained and well experienced in providing the right emotional and social support to cancer patients so that they can cope with this psychological stress of going through this deadly disease.
TOO MUCH OF SUN IS NOT GOOD FOR THE SKIN
Before understanding the contribution of exposure to the sun in the cause of skin cancer, let us understand the primary factor of this cause - Ultraviolet Radiation (UV Rays).
Naturally produced by the sun and artificially produced from sunbeds, is released this intense source of energy called ultraviolet radiation or more commonly known as UV rays.
These rays are mainly of three types
- UVA penetrates into the deeper layers of the epidermis but is not a significant contributing factor to sunburns
- UVB is the biggest responsible factor for most sunburns
- UVC is also a type of ultraviolet radiation, which is the most harmful of them all however, is completely blocked by our earth's ozone layer and does not reach our skin.
UV radiation is extremely harmful and is known to be a significant contributing factor in the cause of skin cancer. This radiation emitted either naturally or artificially can potentially damage the very DNA of our skin cells. This damage when built up over a period of time can deplete the skin’s capacity to fight these rays and therefore result in uncontrolled growth of cancer-causing cells leading to skin cancer.
While it is true that the sun is the primary source of vitamin D, expert oncologist in Hyderabad after thorough and thorough research encourage exposure to sun rays only during early morning hours. Once the sun has reached the centre, it is advised to protect oneself by staying indoors during the summer season.
DON’T MISS THE SHOT AT A HEALTHY FUTURE - GET VACCINATED
It is a lesser-known fact that certain viral infections could be the cause of cancer. Two of the most significant viral infections or hepatitis B and human papilloma-virus (HPV).
Hepatitis B is known to directly affect the liver and could be a root cause of liver cancer. Adults who R sexually active with more than one partner or at a higher risk of developing this viral infection and therefore or at a higher risk of developing cancer. Fortunately, there is a vaccination that can prevent the development of this virus and does protect oneself from cancer.
HPV is again a sexually transmitted virus which is known to be the primary contributing factor of cervical and various other genital cancers and may also lead to squamous cell cancers in the head and the neck. This virus may occur at any age and therefore the vaccine is highly recommended from the age of 11 to 12. However, anyone from the ages of 9 to 45 is eligible to get vaccinated against HPV.
REGULAR SCREENINGS CAN GO A LONG WAY
As mentioned before, cancer can be prevented and there are certain precautions that can be taken to avoid surgical oncology procedures, it is still an unpredictable occurrence. Therefore, be it through self-exams or in-clinic screening, all types of common cancers can not only be successfully treated through surgical oncology but also prevented and stopped in the earlier stages without causing any permanent damage to any organ if diagnosed early.
Therefore, regular screening is extremely important in preventing and fighting cancer.
