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Writer's pictureDr. Manuel Ruiz

WORLD CANCER DAY

Updated: Feb 3, 2023



Contents:

The Day - Challenges - Progress - What to do


WORLD CANCER DAY

Every year on February 4, World Cancer Day is celebrated. The World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the International Union Against Cancer (IUAC) launched the proclamation in the year 2000 with the aim of raising awareness and mobilizing society to advance in prevention and control of this disease.

In its simplest way, we can say that cancer begins when a group of cells in the body proliferates in an uncontrolled way and without following their natural function. The common thing is that, as a result of this, a mass or lump is formed, which we call a tumor. It is estimated that one in two men and one in three women, could develop cancer during their lifetime.

Every year more than 14 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in the world; causing an estimated 9.6 million deaths per year. On this day each of us can reflect and take action against this disease together with millions of people around the world.


CHALLENGES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

There are several challenges that must be overcome against this evil. I will mention a few in no particular order. Each of these can be, on its own, the subject of debate.

  • Difficulty in achieving an early diagnosis of the disease.

  • Proximity or availability of specialized cancer centers.

  • Inequity in access to prevention, early detection and treatment services.

  • Lifestyle and habits of people exposing them to various risk factors that predispose to cancer.

  • Health care policies focused only on curative medicine.

  • Delays in obtaining and starting the type of treatment due to geographical, administrative, institutional and cultural access barriers.

  • Myths of the disease.

  • Insufficient funds for comprehensive cancer management.


PROGRESS IN PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Today the therapeutic aspect of cancer in general already exceeds the traditional triad of surgery-chemotherapy-radiotherapy. And each of these components has made its progress. The therapeutic arsenal is also being oriented towards state-of-the-art technology such as the combination of targeted therapy, immunotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy. Advances in genetic engineering and DNA, vaccines, CAR-T therapies, new technologies for early diagnosis and other advances in pharmacology, biomedical engineering and telemedicine to name a few.


BUT, WHAT CAN I DO?

There are many things that we can do as individuals and as a society, each and every one of them being very important.

Here I share some of them:

  1. Educate yourself about the disease, its most common symptoms, age of frequency and risk factors among others.

  2. Visit and talk to your doctor about it or look for one that offers preventive medicine service.

  3. Give your support to a loved one who is going through the disease, a call, a visit, so you will feel that their not alone. Also help him strengthen his faith and hope.

  4. You can make a donation to a recognized institution, local or international, that provides assistance or help to these people.

  5. Organize an event to support cancer patients or for its prevention in the community in conjunction with health institutions.

  6. Participate in a marathon organized in your city to highlight this date.

  7. Begin to practice healthy habits that contribute to the prevention of cancer and encourage others to do the same.



Anyway, there are many ways to express you and support this special date on the calendar. Let's be supportive and help create awareness in prevention, early detection, research and the promotion of equity in the comprehensive management against cancer.

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