January was a sad month for all of us. Three of our friend’s relatives died because of cancer. Two of which was my patient and the other one was my mom’s friend. The first two died because of renal cancer and liver cancer and the last one died because of colon cancer.
Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality and morbidity in our country. The most common cancer in males is lung cancer, followed by liver cancer and third by colorectal cancer. For females, the most common is still breast cancer, followed by cervical cancer and lung cancer. Since cancer patients are immunocompromised, the most common cause of death is infection.
Two thirds of all cancers are attributed to lifestyle and can be prevented. Some preventive measures are:
Stop smoking. Smoking causes cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney and bladder. There is increased risk of lung cancer in non-smoking spouses and children of smokers.
Eat healthy. Eat high fiber foods like fruits, green leafy vegetables, wheat, bread and whole grain cereals. These are also rich in vitamins. Overcooking destroys the nutrients in vegetables. Avoid nitrate-cured, salt-cured, smoked and pickled foods. Eat fish instead of meat. Avoid oily or fried cooked foods.
Take care under the sun. Overexposure to sun can cause skin cancer. Avoid sun between 11 AM and 3 PM. Seek shade, wear hats, sunglasses and T-shirts. Apply sunscreen (SPF > 15) generously to exposed skin and reapply frequently.
Practice safe sex. Infection by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all causes of cervical cancer. Use of condom reduces the chance of passing on the HPV. Most women with HPV will not get cervical cancer, but HPV will increase the risk of developing the disease. Men and women can pass on the infection without knowing they have it.
Go for screening. Screening can pick up changes or cancer early on and maximizes the chances of successful treatment. Annual chest x-ray, monthly self breast examination can detect small beginning cancer. Cervical screening by doing PAP smear can detect early abnormal changes in the cervix before cancer develops. Annual digital rectal examination for men at the age more than 45 years old.
Keep ideal body weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for cancer of the uterus, breasts, kidney and bowel. Exercise combined with balanced diet is the best way of maintaining healthy body weight.
Drink alcohol moderately. Too much alcohol over time increases risk of cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, esophagus and breast more especially if combined with smoking.
I guess, the saying “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is appropriate to cancer. Hence, lifestyle modification is one of the solutions in fighting this dreaded disease.
another thing, what has been considered as one of the predisposing factors of cancer is the mutagenicity of our small friends now foe, the microbes. so aside from from healthy lifestyle, it is also much better to have some off limits to these culprits by strengthening our immune system at all time. heheh!
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