“Cancer” is one of the diagnoses that scares us the most in the context of our health. Immediately after hearing it, we experience a shock, a moment later comes a “tsunami” of negative emotions. We feel anger, fear and helplessness. What if, in place of the question “why me”, a reflection appeared: “it’s good that I kept my finger on the pulse”?
Black on white
Our health is the most valuable thing, but not necessarily given to us once and for all, as the statistics show us: cancer is a scourge of the present day. Only in the last three decades, the number of cancer cases in Poland has more than doubled, and the forecasts indicate that in the next 5 years the number of cancer patients may increase by another 15%! According to the forecasts of the National Cancer Register, in 2026 we can expect about 190. illnesses annually. Unfortunately, the scenario that we have to face is: one in four of us will develop cancer during our lifetime.
The soaring statistics are, on the one hand, the effect of the aging of the population, and, on the other hand, the increased exposure of the population to carcinogens, partly related to the lifestyle.
The good news is that there is an increasing number of cancers that can be successfully treated or maintained for many years in a controllable phase of the disease. As a result, in terms of public health, cancer is increasingly seen as chronic, not necessarily fatal, diseases.
Tip of the iceberg?
It has been known for a long time that “health awareness”, also known as “health literacy” or “health literacy”, is a key determinant of the health of the society. After all, only by knowing what health is and taking care of it on a daily basis, we are able to anticipate the diagnosis, i.e. learn about it at an earlier stage of the disease or not hear it at all. The more so because, as shown by the latest research, although the predisposition to developing cancer may be encoded in genes, the lifestyle significantly influences this risk.
Unfortunately, we often do the opposite, that is, we only start to be interested in our health when we are diagnosed with the disease. Referring to the iceberg metaphor – we only deal with what we perceive at first glance, and the rest goes unnoticed. We only see the top and ignore the giant chunk of ice that holds the iceberg and gives it strength.
How to change it? First of all, it is worthwhile to approach your health holistically today and simply take care of it on many levels. Our actions should include primary and secondary prevention, but also look to the future, i.e. be associated with the effective protection of your health future. It’s time to build DSO – a home oncological strategy, which leads to a few steps …
DSO in practice?
Where should we start? From the first phase of prophylaxis, i.e. the elimination of cancer development factors. In other words: it is high time to adopt a “new, healthier lifestyle”.
It is estimated that diet and alcohol probably account for about 40 percent of the of all malignant tumors, and according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), about 75 percent of beneficial dietary changes could be prevented. gastric cancer cases, approximately 75 percent. colon and rectal cancer cases and about 50 percent. cases of breast cancer. Therefore, as part of cancer prevention, avoid processed foods, and on the plate look for such nutrients as: plant polyphenols, carotenoids, selenium, calcium, vitamins (D, E, C, A), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, probiotics and prebiotics.
A healthy and balanced diet, as well as regular physical activity (5 times a week for 30-60 minutes) will help prevent the development of overweight and obesity, the second risk factor for cancer development after smoking.
As early as 2002, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognized that overweight (body mass index – BMI 25-29 kg / m2) and obesity (BMI> 30 kg / m2) are associated with an increased risk of cancer colon, esophageal adenocarcinoma, postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer and kidney cancer. In 2007, pancreatic cancer also joined the infamous list.
Quitting smoking is an indispensable element of primary prevention and something that should be behind us a long time ago! Especially since it is one of the most important and possible to eliminate factors increasing the incidence of cancer. Contrary to appearances, it is not only lung cancer, but also cancers of the larynx, throat, esophagus, mouth, nose and sinuses, liver, stomach, lower urinary tract and breast. The motivation to quit smoking should be a pictorial statistic: in European countries, every fifth cancer is caused by smoking!
Preventive vaccinations also play an important role in the prevention of neoplastic diseases. It is worth vaccinating against the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer, as well as head and neck cancers, and against hepatitis B, which is one of the factors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The last step is to avoid carcinogenic factors, i.e. substances that contribute to the development of cancer: heavy metals, chemicals used in industry (benzene, dioxins, vinyl chloride), UV radiation. As part of cancer prevention, it is also worth limiting alcohol consumption. Drinking it regularly increases the risk of developing cancer of the larynx, esophagus, liver and breast.
In addition to eliminating risk factors, each of us should perform preventive examinations. Especially since the earlier the cancer is detected, the greater the chance of its cure.
Women should have regular Pap smears and mammography, while men should have a PSA test important in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Regardless of gender, it is worth having a lower digestive tract examination (colonoscopy), lung X-ray and routine health checks (morphology, urine tests, thyroid hormones).
DSO, however, does not end with adopting a healthy lifestyle and carrying out regular examinations, it also means counteracting the health consequences of the disease through early diagnosis and treatment, supporting relatives in cancer, as well as effectively securing your health future, an example of which is insurance against illness. cancer. Purchasing an oncology policy can help you in a crisis situation and guarantee the payment of benefits that you will spend on specialist treatment. This is an additional weapon in the fight against cancer that is worth using.