Prevention of Cancer

  • Cancer
    Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by out-of-control cell growth. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. The cancer is named after the area of the body or organ where it originates.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 15 October 2015
Cancer Prevention

Cancer accounted for an estimate 9.6 million deaths in 2018. This cancer burden can be reduced by avoiding key risk factors, early detecttion and management of patients. The risk of developing cancer depends on genes, environment and lifestyle. If the cancer is linked to certain behaviours, it may be prevented. Here are some dos and don’ts:

  • Do not use tobacco (smokless and smoking) to protect against oral, lung and several other cancers
  • Do not drink excessive alcohol to protect against liver cancer
  • Do not stay in the sun for too long to protect against skin cancer. When outdoors, use sunscreen
  • Avoid obesity, eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables 
  • Maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle
  • Find out about vaccinations that prevent viral-linked cancer such as HPV and Hepatitis B
  • Be screened regularly for colon and prostate cancers.
  • Perform self-examination and get regular mammographs for breast cancer screening
  • Have regular HPV DNA tests and/or pap smears to rule out cervical cancer
  • Avoid exposure to known carcinogens such as air pollutants, ionising radiation, harmful chemicals etc. 

 

 

Changed
26/Apr/2024
Community
Cancer
Condition
Cancer

Stories

  • कैंसर रोगी के इलाज में परिवार और दोस्तों की भूमिका
    एक प्रकाशित ओवेरियन (अंडाशयी) कैंसर की योद्धा, कामिनी प्रधान के शब्दों में कैंसर के रोगी के इलाज में परिवार और दोस्तों की प्रमुख भूमिका होती है। ऐसे रोगियों की सहायता निम्नलिखित तरीकों से की जा सकती है: - मानसिक / भावनात्मक समर्थन 1.   स्वीकृति - अस्वीकृति से बचें। बीमारी का व्यक्ति पर क्या असर हो रहा है, इस को जानें और समझें ताकि इलाज प्रक्रिया में आप रोगी के मददगार बन सकें। 2.   सकारात्मकता - याद रखें कि इस बीमारी में आपको को पूरी तरह से सकारात्मक रहना होगा और रोगी को भी…
  • Navigating The Parallel Trauma of Divorce and Seizures
    A divorce can be very stressful and a life-changing event. Deepa* recounts how emotional stress broke her down, took a serious toll on her health and set off frequent epileptic seizures. Sometimes mental and emotional stress can lead to seizures… epilepsy seizures. I realised this during a dark phase of my life. I had an arranged marriage. Things went on pretty good until engagement. Our first interaction was very smooth and he exhibited flawless attitude and behaviour making me…
  • "I Will Not Die From Cancer"
    Rashmi Sachade, 56 from Mumbai, who was diagnosed with GIST or Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour 15 years ago treats cancer like a paying guest and depends on faith and laughter to see her through her cancer journey. It was 2004, I noticed that my stomach had started bloating and when I would be lying down to sleep, it would feel real tight especially on one side. I had no other health complaints at that time besides a distended abdomen so much so that people starting asking if I was…
  • Do Patients Want To Know Their Cancer Diagnosis?
    In India, especially in field of cancer care, family caregivers often ask the doctors to not tell the patients the diagnosis, the staging and the expected time for survival.But does the patient not have a right to know? And would the patient want to know? A recent study by Ghoshal A., Salins N. investigated just this question. Dr. Naveen Salins talks to PatientsEngage on the study.   Do cancer patients want to know everything about their disease process? Contrary to the norms in…
  • Good Treatment For Breast Cancer Is Also Available In Tier 2 Cities
    Dr Anand Mishra, Professor and Head of Department of Endocrine Surgery, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, organised a ramp walk for breast cancer survivors including men with breast cancer, to focus awareness on early detection and treatment of breast cancer. He shares his views on how he went about it as also his future plans. Please share with us your journey with breast cancer patients. I am working with breast cancer since my early days of a trainee senior resident doctor…
  • Cancer patient feeling distressed and covering face
    Risk Of Suicide In Cancer Patients
    We often tell cancer patients to be positive. But they go through a lot of psychological emotions including suicide ideation. It is also important that we are aware of the high rate of suicide among cancer patients. Psycho-oncologist Bincy Mathew sheds light on the signs of suicide and what caregivers and healthcare professionals can do. According to a SEER database analysis, the suicide rate among the cancer population was found to be 60% higher than the general population or with any other…
  • A gloved hand holding a test indicating PSA test
    Cancer Screening Guidelines in An Indian Context
    Screening for Cancer is a crucial part of Cancer Prevention and Control. Yet, screening is not integrated into our routine medical health care for our mass population. Dr Gauravi Mishra, of the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai provides us with her expert guidance on advances and modifications in screening strategies for India including Genome Tests and Liquid Biopsy. And specific focus on Prostate Cancer. There have been recent changes in cancer screening. What are the current guidelines for…
  • A panel of side effects of chemotherapy
    Real Experiences Of The Side Effects Of Chemotherapy
    Hair Loss is one of the more dreaded side effects of chemotherapy. But thats not the only side effect. Our contributors shared the other side effects they went through. Often the side effects were different in each cycle.  Here is a compilation of the various side effects experienced by our contributors. There have been a few who had no major side effects apart from hair loss. This article can help other patients and their families be prepared for these side-effects. Click on the name to…
  • Neema in a pink shirt, white pants and a scarf in an open area walking with support of a cane
    I Had To Live And Fight My Osteosarcoma For My Son
    A diagnosis of Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) when she was 26 years old changed Neema's life forever. She talks of her challenging journey including multiple surgeries, amputation and more and the person who motivated her to fight the cancer. Please tell us a bit about your condition It was November of 1998 when I was just 26 years old. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of my knee. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? I used to work at a Research lab where I…
  • My Brain Tumour Diagnosis Made Me Bold
    When A Chitra, 38 from Bengaluru started having seizures, she was initially treated for epilepsy but was eventually diagnosed with Malignant Glioma, a type of brain tumour. She shares how she handled the gamut of treatment and the emotional distress with the support of her team of doctors, family and friends and employer.  Chitra, please tell us a bit about your condition  I was diagnosed with brain tumour called Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III. It is a rare, malignant tumour…