WHO: One third of cancers are completely preventable

• by EVOMT
• 2020-04-22

April 15-21, 2020 is the 26th National Cancer Prevention and Control Publicity Week. According to statistics, the top five cancers in China are lung cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer. "Lung cancer and breast cancer rank first in male and female cancer incidence in China respectively." Professor Wang Ping, chairman of the Cancer Radiotherapy Professional Committee of the China Anti Cancer Association and president of the Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, said that the analysis of the causes of these high incidence of cancer is mostly related to our living environment and lifestyle. The World Health Organization has proposed that one third of cancers can be completely prevented

The high incidence of cancer is mostly related to lifestyle and environment

According to data released by the National Cancer Center in 2019, about 3.929 million people suffered from malignant tumors and 2.338 million died in 2015. In the past 10 years, the incidence rate of malignant tumors has maintained an annual growth rate of 3.9%, and the mortality rate has maintained an annual growth rate of 2.5%. Compared with historical data, the cancer burden has continued to rise. The top five cancers in China are lung cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer

Professor Wang Ping provided

"Currently, the five-year survival rate of cancer patients in China is 40%, an increase of 10% compared to 10 years ago, but there is still a certain gap compared to western developed countries." Professor Wang Ping said, "Analyzing the predisposing factors for high incidence of cancer is mostly related to lifestyle and environment. Many people are accustomed to unhealthy lifestyles such as long sitting, high fat diet, and staying up late, which are 'stealing' our health."

Professor Wang Ping introduced that, for example, lung cancer, smoking or passive smoking are the most important causes of lung cancer. The incidence rate of lung cancer in long-term smokers is 10-20 times higher than that in non-smokers. The younger the person who starts smoking, the higher the probability of developing lung cancer. In particular, the "three 20's" population, namely, those who have smoked for more than 20 years, those who have started smoking under the age of 20, and those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, are all high-risk groups for lung cancer. In addition to the need to quit smoking as soon as possible, regular lung cancer screening should also be conducted

Another example is colorectal cancer, which has become a high incidence of cancer in China. In Tianjin, the incidence rate of the disease is only second to lung and bronchial cancer. With the prevalence of the takeaway culture, there is a widespread problem of "three high and one low" in people's diets, namely, high fat, high protein, high calories, and low fiber. High fat diets continue to increase, with less intake of vegetables and fruits, and a lack of dietary fiber that helps digest and decompose fat. Especially for young white-collar workers who need to sit for a long time and lack exercise, they are more likely to suffer from reduced intestinal peristalsis, stimulate the intestinal wall, cause defecation disorders, prolong the retention time of toxins in the intestinal tract, create a heavier burden on the intestinal tract, increase the chance of carcinogens coming into contact with the intestinal tract, and increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer

Statistics from the Shanghai Cancer Research Cooperation Center of the World Health Organization show that in recent years, five out of every 100 couples who die have cancer at the same time. Among them, cancers such as stomach cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer are most likely to develop into "marital cancer.". "Couples or family members who maintain the same dietary structure or lifestyle in the same living environment for a long time can also lead to cancer."

"One side of soil and water, one side of tumor" is not entirely a joke. Cancer also has regional characteristics. For example, about 80% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the world occurs in China, mainly concentrated in the central and southern provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan, and Jiangxi. Research information indicates that the pickled fish food favored by people in southern China is one of the predisposing factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Stay away from "tumor king" through three-level prevention

Cancer can actually be prevented. The World Health Organization proposes that one third of cancers can be completely prevented; One third of cancers can be eradicated through early detection; One third of cancers can use existing medical measures to extend life, alleviate pain, and improve the quality of life. Professor Wang Ping said that we can prevent and control cancer through three levels of prevention. The first level of prevention is to prevent the cause of disease and reduce the damage caused by external adverse factors; Secondary prevention is early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment; Third level prevention is to improve the quality of life and prolong survival time

In daily life, preventing the occurrence of tumors by simply changing lifestyle and environment is not enough. Many people still need to change their misconceptions

Cancer is caused by changes in the genes of its own cells and is non infectious. "However, some bacteria and viruses closely related to the occurrence of cancer can be infected." Professor Wang Ping introduced that, for example, Helicobacter pylori is related to gastric cancer, while human papillomavirus, hepatitis virus, and EB virus are closely related to cervical cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, and other malignant tumors

Therefore, by maintaining personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle, vaccination (such as hepatitis virus vaccine, human papillomavirus vaccine) can avoid infection with related bacteria and viruses, thereby preventing the occurrence of cancer

Cancer is not difficult to detect early, but the reason is that the concept of cancer screening has not been deeply rooted in people's minds. Although with the improvement of health awareness, people begin to attach importance to annual physical examinations, many people still confuse regular physical examinations with cancer prevention screening

Professor Wang Ping said that cancer prevention screening generally includes some common and high-risk cancer projects such as thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, etc. As long as early detection and standardized treatment can be achieved, the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer and other cancers can reach about 90%. At the same time, he also recommended that everyone pay attention to the cancer risk signals appearing in the body, and should promptly go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment if the following symptoms occur:

1. Abnormal mass appearing in the superficial part of the body

2. The color of body surface nevi and warts deepens or rapidly increases in a short period of time

Abnormal sensations in the body: choking sensation, pain, etc

4. Ulcer of skin or mucous membrane that cannot be healed for a long time

5. Persistent indigestion and loss of appetite

6. Changes in stool habits and characteristics or blood carrying

Persistent hoarseness, dry cough, and bloody sputum

8. Abnormal hearing, nosebleed, headache

Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially contact bleeding

Painless hematuria and poor urination

11. Unexplained fever, fatigue, and progressive weight loss