Cancer Community Perspective
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. A defining feature is rapid creation of abnormal calls that grow beyond their usual boundaries and can then spread to other organs and tissues, a process referred to as metastasis. Metastasis are common causes of death from cancer. Abnormal cell generally arise because of alterations in the DNA of cells that result in growth and spread of related cells. Such changes are multi factorial in origin, including environmental agents ( carcinogens or infection), alterations in developmental pathway, changes errors in DNA replication, impairments in the immune system and other factors.
People of all ages, sex, race, community and social statuses are prone to have cancer.
Cancer is now a major public health challenge, being the second leading cause of death globally especially in low and middle income countries around the world.
In 2018, a total estimations of 18 million new cases of cancer and 10 million death occurred globally. The predicted global burden will double to about 29-37 million new cancer cases by 2040, with its greatest increase in low and middle income countries including Tanzania.
Cancer death accounts for 5.1% of all in-hospital death in Tanzania during 2006-2015, death was notably higher among individuals aged between 15-59 years.
Countries with lower incomes have significantly worse population outcomes,and, within countries people at the lowest economic levels have poorer cancer outcomes and are more likely to suffer financial hardship.
Social And Economic Inequality In Cancer.
Social and economic inequalities such as different in income, education, housing, employment, diet, culture,gender,ethnic group and environment can affect cancer burden, and socially and economically disadvantaged population have poorer outcomes, as they are more likely to have preventable cancer that are diagnosed at a later stage, with a poorer prognosis, and they are more likely to have inadequate access to treatment.
In order to reduce inequality, cancer control should include targeted activities to decrease the explore to such population to avoid risk factors.
Social And Economic Consequences Of Cancer
Nearly everyone has been affected by a cancer diagnosis in themselves, their family or their friends. Cancer thus directly affects not only patients but also families, friends and communities. People with cancer experience high rates of financial hardship and in many cases, catastrophe, which is increasing over time as cancer care become more expensive. Severe financial distress after a cancer diagnosis may increase the likelihood of death, even after apparently effective treatment.
Psychological and financial distress extend to families and caretakers, particularly when there is limited or no access to care or when it is prohibitively expensive. Family members and caretakers often provide unpaid care that can result in loss of employment, financial hardship and poor physical and mental health. The children of parent with cancer have worse health outcome
The burden of cancer affects a country’s economy because of absence from work, lost productivity and premature mortality.
Cancer Prevention
One third to one half of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing exposure to known risk factors. Examples of actionable interventions are tobacco control and HPV vaccination
Most countries do not fully implement cancer prevention policies and Programmes,resulting in millions of avoidable cancer cases.
The most effective approach to primary prevention of cancer involves the whole of government,with a combination of legislation,regulation and facial policies and activities to change community and individual behavior. Public health messages and promotion should include evidence for specific risk factors.
- Avoid Smoking
Do not smoke or use any form of tobacco, make your home smoke-free, and support smoke-free campaign and policies in your workplaces ……….
- Maintain Healthy Body Weight and Exercises
Be physically active in everyday life, and limit the time you spend sitting, this will contribute to maintaining your body weight.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
Eat a lot of whole grains,pulses,vegetables and fruits.
Limit consumption of high-calorie food (high in sugar or fats), and avoid sugary drinks.
Avoid processed meat, and limit red meat and foods with a high salt content.
Limit your intake of alcohol of any type,or don’t drink alcohol at all.
In Work Places
Avoid too much sunlight exposure, especially to children,use sun protection.
Protect yourself against cancer-causing substances by following health and safety instructions.
Determine whether you are exposed to radiation from high radon levels in your home, reduce high radon levels.
Vaccinations And Screening.
To reduce child’s risk of cancer, ensure that children are vaccinated against ( HAPATITIS B for newborns and HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS HPV)
Take part in organized cancer screening Programmes for BOWEL CANCER (men and women) and CERVICAL CANCER (for women) as well as PROSTATE CANCER (for men).
Did you know…………!!!!???
For Women
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Limit the use of hormonal replacement therapy, which increases the risk for many types of cancers.
Author. Daniel Stephen Masunga
Email. danysmith026@gmail.com
