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11 encouraging facts about cancer treatments
World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4. In honor of this event, we talked with a specialist and found out how far science has advanced in the treatment of the disease.
Cancer Day is celebrated annually on February 4 in order to draw the attention of as many people as possible to this global problem. Andrei Pylev, the chief physician of the federal network of expert oncology clinics “Euroonco”, spoke about what examinations should be regularly taken in order to detect the disease in time and defeat it in its embryo, as well as about its treatment and prevention.
Chief physician-oncologist of the federal network of expert oncology clinics “Euroonco”, Ph.D.
“Then what is left to eat? You have to understand that certain compounds, theoretically capable of leading to oncology, are contained in a huge number of products “
Some statistics that everyone needs to know about!
There are topics that we try to avoid. It seems that if you don’t talk and think about what scares you, it won’t happen to you. One of these topics is cancer. It often happens that a person assumes that a malignant tumor may be found in him, and for fear does not go to the doctor. After all, it seems that until the diagnosis is made, it can still somehow go away on its own. And this is one of the most dangerous mistakes. Thanks to the development of medicine, more and more cancers can be cured or effectively controlled for a long time, especially if they are detected at an early stage.
The death rate from cancer in the world as a whole continues to grow. For example, according to WHO, in 2012, malignant tumors claimed the lives of 8,2 million people1, and in 2018 – already 9,6 million2… However, about 70% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where the level of medicine does not yet allow timely detection of cancer and the provision of high-tech medical care. At the same time, in developed countries, mortality is significantly decreasing: in the United States, for example, from 1991 to 2017, it fell by almost a third3.
Early diagnosis
To a large extent, this positive trend is due to early diagnosis. In the first and second stages, it is possible to cure from 70 to 95% of malignant tumors, while in the third and fourth stages, only 10 to 40% of patients get rid of the disease. Unfortunately, for oncological diseases there is no single symptom or test that would make it possible to state unequivocally that a tumor does not develop anywhere in the body. Quite often, by the time the patient has significant complaints, the cancer has time to develop to the third or even fourth stage.
What should you pay attention to?
At the initial stage of the disease, it often develops small signs syndrome… Its manifestations are:
weakness;
fatigue;
decreased appetite;
nausea or change in taste habits (most often an aversion to meat);
unreasonable weight loss;
an unreasonable increase in body temperature.
Of course, each of these symptoms can occur not only due to the development of a tumor, but also for other reasons. However, if you notice one or more signs, this is a reason to see a doctor and undergo an extraordinary medical examination.3… In addition, even if you are feeling great, you should not neglect preventive examinations. Every year it is worth visiting a gynecologist and mammologist, taking general urine and blood tests, undergoing fluorography or chest x-ray, and after 40 – a colonoscopy every three years.
Cancer treatment
Over the past two decades, scientists and medical professionals have made significant progress in developing new cancer treatments.
In 1998, oncologists began to use the first targeted drug… These drugs block the action of certain proteins required for tumor growth, thereby slowing down or stopping its growth.
In 2018, another revolutionary method was developed – immunotherapy… Immune drugs “train” the sick person’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
In addition to developing new methods, scientists pay great attention to improving existing: development of more accurate radiotherapy emitters, more effective chemotherapy and palliative care methods.
Interesting fact
In one of the predictions for 2021, Wanga said that “cancer will be chained in iron”: allegedly this year a revolutionary cure for a terrible disease will be officially announced. The drug, based on the words of the clairvoyant, will contain a lot of iron. You can find out about other Wanga’s prophecies for this year here.
Prevention
The best thing to do for your health and peace of mind is to avoid, if possible, factors that are associated with the risk of developing cancer:
First of all, it is worth giving up bad habits. Smoking is responsible for a fifth of all cancer deaths and 70% of lung cancer deaths. It is also worth limiting alcohol consumption.
Exclude from diet fatty, fried and smoked foods. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
When in the sun, be sure to apply and renew regularly солнцезащитный крем with a high level of protection, even in the city.
Pay attention sports at least half an hour a week.
If possible sleep enough и minimize severe stress.
Try to avoid infection with hepatitis B and C viruses and human papillomavirus. There are effective vaccines for the latter two.
Useful information about different types of oncology:
Why ovarian cancer is dangerous and how it can be cured, look here;
All about the causes, symptoms and prevention of lung cancer – here;
Everything you need to know about thyroid cancer is here;
Why an armpit compaction is a dangerous symptom for women – here;
When to show the springs to the doctor – here.
Sources:
1 and 2. .
3. Organization .
2.Andrey Pylev, chief physician of the federal network of expert oncology clinics .