By: Maria Domnitskaya, The World Cancer Day is marked on February 4. According to the World Health Organization, 12 mln people are diagnosed with the disease annually, while 7,500 die of the illness. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It comprises about 100 various diseases which can affect any part of the body. The diseased mainly die of metastasis which is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ. A normal cell turns into a malignant tumor under the influence of three external factors – physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet, chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant) and arsenic; and biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria or parasites. The most widespread cancer in males is lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, oesophageal and prostate cancer while women are mostly hit by cervical, lung, stomach and colon cancer. Russia has the same rate of cancer cases and mortality as the UK, Ireland and France with 480,000 primary diagnoses a year, says Professor with the Anti-Cancer Society David Zaridze "The main reason for cancer mortality in Russia is smoking-related tumors which account for 30% of all deaths. Smoking causes lung cancer and hit 12-13 other organs, like stomach, head, neck, mouth, larynx and throat. Control over smoking can decrease the mortality rate." Doctors should lead a more active prevention campaign among those people who get ill due to their bad habits. Anti-smoking campaign directly affects the cancer mortality rate in the world. This year’s Cancer Day is held under the motto “cancer can be prevented” which underlines the importance of healthy lifestyle. Doctors recommend to quit smoking, drinking, direct UV sunbathing and advice to do sports and eat healthy food. The WHO says that such measures could prevent 40% of cancer cases. Cancer is always a tragedy for a patient and his relatives. Now it is being treated with beam and chemotherapy but doctors are working on a vaccine. Meanwhile, people are advised recommended to do regular check ups to ensure the most accurate diagnosis. Source: Voice of Russia.
