Health authorities warned the public against the prevalence of various types of cancer that pose a serious threat to their health condition in the future.
Dr. Janice S. Banez, Medical Officer IV of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), said that cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably.
Further, she claimed that cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The medical officer noted that female breastcancer is the most common form of cancer with 11.7 percent while lung cancer is the leading cause of death with 18 percent.
In the Philippines, Banez stipulated that the most common cancers are breast – 17.7 percent, lung – 12.5 percent, colorectum – 11.3 percent, liver – 6.9 percent, prostate – 5.4 percent, and other forms of cancer – 46.3 percent.
In 2020, the cancers across males of all ages are lung – 19.9 percent, colorectum – 14.3 percent, prostate – 12.3 percent, liver – 11.1 preleukemia – 4.6 percent and other forms of cancer – 37.9 percent.
On the other hand, the common cancer among women across all ages are breast – 31.4 percent, cervix uteri – 9.1 percent, colorectum – 9 percent, lungs – 6.7 percent, ovary – 6.2 percent and other forms of cancer – 37.6 percent.
According to her, the warning signs of cancer are the usual bleeding or discharge, change in bowel and bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, nagging cough and hoarseness, decrease in weight, obvious change in mole or wart, indigestion or difficulty in swallowing and thickening or lump.
She explained that the causes of cancer include the multistage process or the so-called precancerous malignant, interaction between a person’s genetic factors and external agents such as physical carcinogens, chemical carcinogens and biological carcinogens.
Banez underscored that sedentary lifestyle is associated with 5 percent of cancer deaths while greater physical activity is associated with reduction and colon and breast cancer risk.
Moreover, excess weight is associated with an increased risk of 13 types of cancer such as breast, ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancer and that consumption of red and processed meat increase risk for colorectal and advance prostate cancer.
Earlier, the WHO stated that eating 50 grams of processed meat a day which is equivalent to 2 slices of bacon increases the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18 percent.
Among the general lifestyle recommendations of health experts is to avoid tobacco, be physically active, maintain a healthy weight, eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated or trans-fat, red and processed meat and limit alcohol, protection against sexually transmitted infections, to include vaccination against human papilloma virus, protection against the sun and avoid tanning beds and get regular screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer if applicable based on smoking history.
She advised the public that to reduce one’s cancer risk, do not smoke or use any form of tobacco, make the home smoke free, enjoy a healthy diet, breastfeeding reduces the mother’s cancer risk, vaccinate children against hepatitis B and human papilloma virus, avoid too much sun, use sun protection, reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution, be physically active, limit alcohol intake and take part in organized cancer screening programs. By Dexter A. See