Nowadays, neoplastic diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. There is even talk of a cancer epidemic. The WHO estimates that the number of cancer cases will increase by as much as 70 percent in the next decades. What defense strategy will the experts adopt?
Cases of cancer are expected to rise by as much as 70 percent in the coming decades, warns the World Health Organization (WHO). Nowadays, neoplastic diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. There is even talk of a cancer epidemic.
The WHO predicts that there will be 20 million new cancer cases in the next 24 years, compared to 15 million in 2015. On the occasion of World Cancer Day, which is celebrated on February 4, the World Health Organization warns that “despite the great advances made in the treatment and prevention of cancer in recent years, the burden of cancer in the world continues to increase and will double by 2030”, emphasizes Spanish portal 20minutos.
Cancer doesn’t have to be a sentence, however. According to the WHO, 50 percent of cases could be prevented by applying current knowledge about the disease. ”The knowledge about the causes of cancer and the methods of preventing the disease is very broad. The incidence of cancer can be reduced by implementing data-driven strategies for prevention, early disease detection and treatments. ‘
Experts recall that smoking, drinking alcohol, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are the main factors in the development of cancer, hence about 30 percent of cancer deaths could be avoided by modifying or eliminating major risk factors. Cigarette smoking alone currently accounts for 20 percent of cancer deaths worldwide.
There are also chronic, cancer-promoting infections that mainly affect populations in low- and middle-income countries. Examples include hepatitis B, C and certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that increase the risk of developing cervical and liver cancer. HIV infection and cervical cancer often go hand in hand, and this type of cancer is more common in HIV-infected women.
In 2013, the 2013-2020 Global Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was adopted, which aims to reduce premature mortality from cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease by 2025 percent by 25. It gives priority to funding research into cancer treatment and the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. He also mentions the need to reduce nicotine addiction by 30 percent.
According to the data of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer as the main cause of death in the world in 2012 was responsible for 8,2 million deaths, including lung cancer – 1,59 million deaths, liver cancer – 745 thousand, gastric cancer – 723 thousand, colorectal cancer – 694 thousand, breast cancer – 521 thousand, esophageal cancer – 400 thousand.
Source: 20minutos.es