About 16.67% of deaths all over the world are caused by cancer, it is among the leading cause of mortality. It affects both men and women, young and old and it claims the lives of innocents by the second. Most people only get to live one to five or more years after they have been diagnosed with cancer, but according to the American cancer society, there is 28 million cancer survivor worldwide. According to Nick James, 77 percent of people diagnosed with cancer are 55 years and older, this shows that adults are more vulnerable to cancer than children.
Our bodies are constantly producing new cells, some of which are liable to become cancerous. Carcinogen, an agent capable of causing cancer in the body which are gotten from radiation such as gamma rays, alpha rays, non-radioactive sources such as carbon dioxide and tomato smoke increases the risk of cancer by altering metabolism or damaging DNA directly in the cell. Some common types of cancer include:
Lung cancer: lung cancer is caused by of controlled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs that do not perform the functions of a normal lung cell. The majority of people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 years or older, very few people diagnosed with lung cancer are younger than 45years old. It might interest you to know that 9 out of 10 lung cancer patients are smokers.
Breast cancer: it occurs mainly in women, rarely in men. The abnormal cell growth takes place in the left breast in most cases. On average, every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the US. The risk of breast cancer increases with age.
Bladder cancer: it is the fourth most common cancer in men, especially older men above 55 years old. Smokers are more liable to get bladder cancer because some chemicals in a cigarette are potent cancer-causing agents when it gets to the system through the lungs and into the bloodstream which causes abnormal cells to grow inside the lining of the bladder.
Kidney (renal) cancer: when DNA in one or both kidneys begins to mutate or grow, cells begin to divide and form an outgrowth around the kidney area. Smoking tobacco, obesity, and high blood pressure are some of the major causes of kidney cancer. Kidney cancer is very uncommon among people who are 45 years or younger, it is very common among people who are 64-74 years old.
Prostate cancer: difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, burning sensation during ejaculation are some of the symptoms of prostate cancer in men. The majority of men who have prostate cancer are over 50, although very few cases have been seen with men in their 20s. Some common causes of prostate cancer are; age, family history, race, obesity. There is a 100% survival rate of prostate cancer all over the world.
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer): Stomach cancer is most common in men, at least 42% of people only survive one year after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Some early warning signs of stomach cancer that are usually overlooked are nausea, vomiting blood, indigestion, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, and dark stool. One of the main causes of stomach cancer is Helicobacter pylori, a common bacterium that is also responsible for inflammation and ulcer.
Common habits that induce cancer cells in the body:
Smoking tobacco
Inhaling fumes from heavy machinery
Overexposure to the sun and other types of radiation
Viruses and infections
Poor diet and overconsumption of alcoholic drinks
There are numerous types of cancer in the world today and numerous causes, there are several ways we can prevent cancer by our actions and inactions which includes:
Eating healthy meals
Avoid excessive exposure from the sun
Stop smoking, cigarette packets have a warning sign right on the cover ‘smokers are liable to die young:
Avoid smoky or sooty environments
Apart from these highlighted methods, some foods can also help our body to fight against cancer:
Broccoli: contains some cancer-fighting compounds like sulforaphane which helps to stop the spread, replication, and growth of tumor cells in the areas of the body that are targets for cancer.
Nuts: nuts are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which help to prevent cell damage and neutralize highly reactive molecules before they can damage cell DNA
Citrus: citrus contain compounds called limonoids which are capable of slowing down cancer cell growth and preventing the death of the cell (apoptosis)
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain antioxidants that protect the DNA and prevents cell damage
Some other foods that contain active compounds that help to prevent cancer are:
Fruits and Vegetables; spinach, garlic grape, berries, and pears
Proteins: fish, egg, beans, and tofu
Diary: skimmed milk, low-fat cheese, soy, and nut milk
Whole grains rice, oatmeal bread
The most frequent types of cancer differ between men and women, a good number of them are preventable, some deadlier than the others, but ultimately cancer cells when introduced to the body shortens the life span of a patient.
