Thursday, 4th of February, is World Cancer Day. This year, a three year campaign has been launched under the theme, “We can. I can.” do our part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
Cancer is not a single disease, but a group of related diseases caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
In Turks and Caicos Islands, between 1998 and 2008, a total of 127 cancer cases were reported (64 males and 63 females), and over 50% of cancers were diagnosed at advanced stages. The most common cancers were prostate, breast, uterus, and colorectal cancers; 37 cancer deaths were recorded during this period.
It is impossible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain factors, called risk factors, may increase a person’s chances. Cancer risk factors include exposure to chemicals or other substances, as well as certain lifestyle behaviors. Although some of these risk factors—like growing older and family history—cannot be avoided, others—like using tobacco—can be.
You can take action to lower the risk of getting cancer through prevention:
- he goal of primary cancer prevention is to keep cancer from developing. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding exposure to known cancer-causing substances.
- he goal of secondary cancer prevention is to detect and treat precancerous conditions that may become cancer early.
Understanding the links between lifestyle and cancer risk is the first step in effective cancer prevention. Risk factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles are the biggest risk factors.
- orldwide, tobacco use accounts for five million deaths every year and 22% of all cancer deaths. Reducing the rates of tobacco use will significantly decrease the global burden of several cancers. Recently, the TCI passed Tobacco Control legislation which prohibits smoking in public places to protect people from the harms of second hand smoke. The legislation also encourages people not to smoke or stop smoking if they do.
- xcessive alcohol use has also been linked to cancers, including cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast.
- kin cancers are linked to over exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and other sources; therefore, it is important to take measures to reduce your risk, for example, wearing protective clothing during the day.
- verweight and obesity are strongly linked with an increased risk of cancers later in life. About one third of common cancers can be prevented through a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.
Fostering a culture of health can be difficult, especially at school or work, where many people spend the majority of their day. Creating healthy environments at schools and workplaces can make living a healthy lifestyle much easier. Schools can provide nutritional meals and time for recreation and sports as well as add practical nutrition and physical education to the school curriculum. Workplaces of all sizes can put in place policies and programmes that motivate employees to adopt healthier lifestyles, such as offering healthy food options, encouraging exercise or more movement at work, providing health education and supporting participation in screening activities. Schools and workplaces can also put in place policies to prevent exposure to cancer-causing agents, such as asbestos and other carcinogens.
For additional information regarding cancer prevention, contact the Health Promotion Unit at 338-3064.
Together we can prevent cancer “We Can. I can.”
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