Fighting with cancer
Cancer is the second commonest cause of death in developed countries next to accident. In Bangladesh cancer is one of the common cause of morbidity and mortality.
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally; an estimated 7.6 million people died of cancer in 2005 and 84 million people will die in the next 10 years if action is not taken.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has proposed a global goal for reducing chronic disease death rates by 2 percent per annum from 2006 to 2015. Achievement of this goal would avert over 8 million of the projected 84 million deaths due to cancer in the next decade. WHO is stepping up its response to meet this target.
Every year 4th February is observed as World Cancer Day. This year it was observed with the slogan " Passive smoking is injurious to your child's health ".
More than 70 percent of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where resources available for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer are limited or nonexistent. Tobacco use alone accounts for some 1.5 million cancer deaths per year.
It is estimated that over 40 percent of all cancer can be prevented. However, dramatic increases in risk factors such as tobacco use and obesity are contributing to the rise in cancer rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A rapidly changing global environment due to globalisation of markets and urbanisation is leading to rising consumption of processed foods high in fats, sugars and salt, as well as tobacco products; declining consumption of fruit and vegetables; and more sedentary activity levels.
As a consequence the burden (incidence) of cancer and other chronic diseases is increasing. Other preventable risk factors include many environmental carcinogens and infections caused by Hepatitis B Virus and Human Papilloma Virus.
Childhood cancer in our country is one of the most important and leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Common childhood cancers are Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Nephro-blastoma, Retino-blastoma,Lymphoma, Brain tumors etc.
Although there are different types of cancer, at least 85 percent of all childhood cancers have similar signs and symptoms. These include continued, unexplained weight loss and fever, pallor, swelling of lymph nodes, bone pain, headache — often with early morning vomiting, unusual swelling and abdominal mass, swollen head, development of excessive bruising or bleeding, white glow in the eye, and sudden changes in balance or behaviour.
Since most of the symptoms of cancer can be interpreted as common child ailments, parents should insist, where possible, that physicians carry out tests to rule out cancer. Cancer in children develops rapidly and early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the chances that the child will survive and live an active and productive life.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is the rule in all cancer patient, but still we do not have that facility, even if there are facility we cant afford them as treatment of cancer is really expensive and to be taken for a long time.
World cancer day is marked on every 4th February to raise awareness among the people about cancer, to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.
43 percent of cancers can be prevented through these healthy behaviours:
- Provide a smoke-free environment for children
- Be physically active, eat a balanced, healthy diet, and avoid obesity
- Learn about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers
- Avoid over-exposure to the sun
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