The changing demographic scenario in India is declining fertility level and increasing life expectancy. Higher incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially ‘Cancer’ is positively associated with percentage of geriatric population of a country especially 40 years and above. The World Cancer Report documents that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally. Cancer rates could increase by 50% new cases for the year 2020. The Cancer Atlas published by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicates that incidence of gall bladder cancer in women in New Delhi is 10.6 per 100,000 population which is the world's highest rate for women.
Cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide in the year 2010, according to a new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO). ‘Lung Cancer due to smoking may soon account for 20 percent of all male deaths and 5 percent of all female deaths among Indians between the ages of 30 and 69’.
Women in India top the list in cervical and breast cancers. Conservative estimates show there will be around 2.5lakh new cases of breast cancer
in India by 2015.
In India 40% of rural women suffer from Cervical cancer due to early marriage and high number of pregnancies, whereas 25% of urban women like in Delhi and Mumbai suffer from Breast cancer due to late marriage and late pregnancy.
According to Dr. R K Grover, Director of Delhi State Cancer Institute, ‘a woman should have her first child by the age of 21-22 years to save herself from the high risk of breast or cervical cancers.’
So, prevention and awareness is the only way to reduce the number of cancer deaths in India since majority cases come to hospitals in third stage when treatment is difficult.
WARNING SIGNALS
Ø Unusual bleeding of discharge from any site or orifice (especially if painless).
Ø A lump, nodule or swelling in any part of the body (breast).
Ø An ulcer or wound any where that does not heal, including mouth cavity.
Ø Persistent irritating cough or hoarseness of voice.
Ø Indigestion or pain/difficulty during swallowing.
Ø Recent change in bowel or bladder habits.
Ø Obvious change in shape, size or appearance of a wart or mole.
Ø Repeated headaches, progressive change in vision, convulsions or progressive weakness of one part or side of the body.
Ø Unexplained irregular fever, progressive weight loss, persistent loss in appetite or progressive weakness.
(Consult doctor immediately if any of the above persists for more than two weeks.)
Researches have been done for years to develop new techniques to cure cancer. ‘Genetic testing’ for high-risk individuals is already available for certain cancer-related genetic mutations. Carriers of genetic mutations that increase risk for cancer incidence can undergo enhanced surveillance, chemoprevention, or risk-reducing surgery. ‘Prophylactic vaccines’ have been developed to prevent infection by oncogenic infectious agents such as viruses, and therapeutic vaccines are in development to stimulate an immune response against cancer-specific epitopes.
A preventive ‘human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine’ exists that targets certain sexually transmitted strains of human papillomavirus that are associated with the development of cervical cancer and genital warts. The only two HPV vaccines on the market as of October 2007 are Gardasil and Cervarix.
Gene
Cancer types
Availability
BRCA1, BRCA2
Breast, ovarian, pancreatic
Commercially available for clinical specimens
MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, PMS2
Colon, uterine, small bowel, stomach, urinary tract
Commercially available for clinical specimens
Greater than 30% of cancer is preventable via avoiding risk factors including: tobacco, obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake, malnutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol, sexually transmitted infection, air pollution and unhygienic surroundings. Self examinations of breast by women after periods, monthly or yearly check-ups by all especially people above 40 years will help in early diagnosis of the disease.
Dr. Grover advices, “Whenever any symptom is detected get yourself checked to prove or disprove it, but never neglect it. A healthy diet with lots of anti-oxidants and an active life style will help reduce the risk. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed cheaper will be its treatment and lesser will be the pain. Remember Cancer is curable if diagnosed and treated early.”
Cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide in the year 2010, according to a new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO). ‘Lung Cancer due to smoking may soon account for 20 percent of all male deaths and 5 percent of all female deaths among Indians between the ages of 30 and 69’.
Women in India top the list in cervical and breast cancers. Conservative estimates show there will be around 2.5lakh new cases of breast cancer
in India by 2015.
In India 40% of rural women suffer from Cervical cancer due to early marriage and high number of pregnancies, whereas 25% of urban women like in Delhi and Mumbai suffer from Breast cancer due to late marriage and late pregnancy.
According to Dr. R K Grover, Director of Delhi State Cancer Institute, ‘a woman should have her first child by the age of 21-22 years to save herself from the high risk of breast or cervical cancers.’
So, prevention and awareness is the only way to reduce the number of cancer deaths in India since majority cases come to hospitals in third stage when treatment is difficult.
WARNING SIGNALS
Ø Unusual bleeding of discharge from any site or orifice (especially if painless).
Ø A lump, nodule or swelling in any part of the body (breast).
Ø An ulcer or wound any where that does not heal, including mouth cavity.
Ø Persistent irritating cough or hoarseness of voice.
Ø Indigestion or pain/difficulty during swallowing.
Ø Recent change in bowel or bladder habits.
Ø Obvious change in shape, size or appearance of a wart or mole.
Ø Repeated headaches, progressive change in vision, convulsions or progressive weakness of one part or side of the body.
Ø Unexplained irregular fever, progressive weight loss, persistent loss in appetite or progressive weakness.
(Consult doctor immediately if any of the above persists for more than two weeks.)
Researches have been done for years to develop new techniques to cure cancer. ‘Genetic testing’ for high-risk individuals is already available for certain cancer-related genetic mutations. Carriers of genetic mutations that increase risk for cancer incidence can undergo enhanced surveillance, chemoprevention, or risk-reducing surgery. ‘Prophylactic vaccines’ have been developed to prevent infection by oncogenic infectious agents such as viruses, and therapeutic vaccines are in development to stimulate an immune response against cancer-specific epitopes.
A preventive ‘human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine’ exists that targets certain sexually transmitted strains of human papillomavirus that are associated with the development of cervical cancer and genital warts. The only two HPV vaccines on the market as of October 2007 are Gardasil and Cervarix.
Gene
Cancer types
Availability
BRCA1, BRCA2
Breast, ovarian, pancreatic
Commercially available for clinical specimens
MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, PMS2
Colon, uterine, small bowel, stomach, urinary tract
Commercially available for clinical specimens
Greater than 30% of cancer is preventable via avoiding risk factors including: tobacco, obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake, malnutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol, sexually transmitted infection, air pollution and unhygienic surroundings. Self examinations of breast by women after periods, monthly or yearly check-ups by all especially people above 40 years will help in early diagnosis of the disease.
Dr. Grover advices, “Whenever any symptom is detected get yourself checked to prove or disprove it, but never neglect it. A healthy diet with lots of anti-oxidants and an active life style will help reduce the risk. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed cheaper will be its treatment and lesser will be the pain. Remember Cancer is curable if diagnosed and treated early.”
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