Each year, an estimated 18.1 million people get diagnosed with cancer globally. There are only a few specialized cancer hospitals in Pakistan. One has to think about how well the country is capable of treating cancer. Having said that, it is even harder to find the best cancer hospital in Pakistan. The key to controlling and managing any disease is understanding the preventive actions. More than 60% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural regions. The chances of a common man knowing about cancer and its risk factors are little to none. Even if you live in the city, you may be unaware of the causes of this sickness and how to avoid it.
What is Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer is a set of diseases that develop as a result of unchecked aberrant cell development in the body, which spreads and weakens the immune system, making it unable to fight back.
Some cancers promote rapid cell proliferation, while others cause cells to divide and develop more slowly. Some cancers, such as leukemia, produce visible tumors, while others, such as breast cancer, do not. The majority of the cells in the body have distinct functions and lifespans. While cell death may appear to be a negative phenomenon, it is actually a natural and helpful process known as apoptosis.
How Does Cancer Spread Around the Body?
We all are well aware that our bodies are a combination of cells. There is a check mechanism in place among the cells that connects them. Neighboring cells check each other’s health using this method.
When a cell begins to grow in normal circumstances, its neighboring cells notice this unusual behavior and remove it. Cancerous cells disrupt this symbiotic interaction between cells, allowing them to flourish unchecked.
On a cellular level, it’s like a divide-and-conquer tactic.
Cancer and its Affects Around the World
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer is a set of diseases that develop as a result of aberrant cell development in the body. These cells spread and weaken the immune system, making it unable to fight back.
Some cancers promote rapid cell proliferation, while others cause cells to divide and develop with time. Some cancers, such as leukemia, produce visible tumors, while others, such as breast cancer, do not. The majority of the cells in the body have distinct functions and lifespans. While cell death may appear to be a negative phenomenon, it is actually a natural and helpful process known as apoptosis.
Cancer Hospitals in Pakistan
In Pakistan, there are now 21 cancer hospitals that provide services. Punjab has seven cancer hospitals, Sindh has five, KPK has five, while Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan each have two. Shifa cancer hospital is amongst the leading cancer hospital in the country. They have some of the best oncologists in Islamabad.
There are a few cancer hospitals in the country that offer free cancer treatments. When compared to the number of cases, it is like finding a needle in a haystack. We all know how expensive cancer can get. Pakistan has the most breast cancer cases in Asia. This requires a large number of specialized cancer hospitals. Read this to know more about how expensive breast cancer treatment can be.
What are the Risk Factors regarding Cancer?
The following are cancer risk factors, according to WHO guidelines:
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Smoking/Tobacco Use
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Physical Inactivity
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Poor diet/Diet low in fruits & Vegetables
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High-stress levels
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Environment factors like Pollution
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Family history
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Hepatitis B& C virus
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Papilloma Virus
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Too much alcohol consumption
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Obesity
How to Tackle these Cancer Risk Factors
Keep an Eye on Symptoms
Cancer advocacy is critical in the fight against this dreadful disease. It is critical to educate the public about cancer risk factors and early signs and symptoms.
According to WHO guidelines, early cancer diagnosis lowers treatment costs. It also increases the likelihood of a cure. We should emphasize subsidized treatment and tests. , As lack of funds is one of the major reasons individuals avoid seeing a doctor.
According to the American Cancer Society, you should report these early signs and symptoms of cancer:
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Unexplained Weight Loss
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Fever
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Fatigue
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Pain, not responding to general treatment
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Changes in skin color: Darkening of the skin, yellowish skin, reddened/itched skin, Excessive hair growth.
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Moles/Warts
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Bowel Changes
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Unusual bleeding or discharge
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Sores/white patch on tongue or in mouth
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Lump in breast or in any part of the body especially armpits, groin & neck.
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A cough that doesn’t go away or hoarseness
The above-mentioned are only a few of the cancer indications and symptoms. If you detect any changes in your body that worsen over time, you should seek medical attention right once.
Take a Healthy Diet
The importance of a balanced diet in lowering cancer risk cannot be overstated. In several studies, a high diet of phytochemical-rich fruits and vegetables has been linked to a lower risk of cancer. Plants produce active compounds with anti-oxidant capabilities, known as phytochemicals. They’re also in charge of a plant’s color, odor, and flavor.
The American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) divided phytochemicals into different categories. Based on their presence in different fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are in red, orange, and green fruits and vegetables. Such as broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, melons, and apricots (beta-carotenes). Flavonoids are abundant in apples, citrus fruits, soy products, tea, and coffee. Terpenes and polyphenols are abundant in grapes, cherries, berries, and green tea. Glucosinolates and indoles are abundant in green leafy plants such as spinach, cabbage, kale, and brussels sprouts.
All these phytochemicals have antioxidant properties. In our bodies, oxidation is a chemical process that produces free radicals. These free radicals act as carcinogens by causing flaws in cell growth pathways, resulting in the emergence of cancer.
Anti-oxidants fight oxidation, which means there are fewer free radicals in our bodies. These anti-oxidants help to enhance immunity.
Regular Exercise and Stress Management
Adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week. while children and teenagers should exercise for one hour each day.
Avoid Cancer-Causing Agents:
Cancer-causing foods, besides smoking and inactivity, are the leading cause of cancer. We eat them on a daily basis without even realizing it. The ACS has identified nine types of cancer-causing foods that have become ingrained in our fast-paced lives.
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Hydrogenated oils: Margarine and ghee are examples of trans-fats. Trans-fats aren’t safe, according to the FDA, regardless of their quality. These fats are the most dangerous ones. There is a prevalence of oil and ghee in Pakistan. It is better to use olive oil, palm oil, coconut oil, desi ghee, or handmade butter as alternatives.
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Browning Carbohydrates: Heat carbohydrates above a specific temperature, according to British food scientists. Acrylamide is a carcinogen present in carbohydrates that are overcooked. This category includes fast foods such as French fries, popcorn, and grilled bread. We also need to be aware that acrylamide is present in high concentrations in cigarettes.
Processed Foods
Sodium Nitrite is a cancer-causing chemical. It is often found in hot dogs, sausages, and other processed meats, such as ready-to-fry foods. If processed meat is a regular part of your diet, you have a 67 percent higher risk of cancer than non-processed meat-eaters.
Sugary Drinks
Carbonated drinks contain high levels of carbohydrates and sugar, both of which are harmful to your body. According to a 2014 Consumer Reports research some soft drinks contain recognized carcinogens.
Final Takeaway
Pakistan’s cancer death rate actually increased from 1990 to 2019. Pakistan has promised to reduce cancer-related premature deaths by 40% by 2020. This is as part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Given current facts and numbers, this goal appears to be a bit unrealistic to achieve. We need robust participation from everyone. From healthcare professionals to everyday people, to achieve it. We should not declare non-communicable diseases (NCDs) an act of God and leave it to faith. We as a nation need to be more watchful and proactive about them.