Why do we commemorate World Cancer Day?
World Cancer Day is celebrated every year on February 4 and unites the entire planet under a single motto, to focus on the continuous fight against cancer.
The goal of this day is to reduce the number of preventable deaths each year through cancer awareness in the general population, and for more action to be taken against this disease.
BMI joins this effort with a collective and individual call for all of us together to commit ourselves to strengthening actions aimed at reducing the impact of cancer.
What is cancer?
We've all heard of cancer, and most of us know first-hand people with this frightening disease. But do we really know what it is?
Cancer is a disease that causes a group of cells in the body to grow abnormally and uncontrollably, giving rise to a lump or mass. This occurs in all cancers except leukemia (blood cancer).
If left untreated, the tumor often invades surrounding tissue and can metastasize to distant sites in the body and spread to other organs and tissues.
risk factors for cancer
There are many types of cancer that a person can develop, due to multiple causes. In many cases, risk factors cannot be changed; but about a third of cancer cases can be prevented by reducing the main risk factors.
- Non-modifiable risk factors are age or genetics.
Only the 15% of the origin of cancer is hereditary, the 85% of cancers are caused by external causes, which are called carcinogens. Taking into account that external agents are what help cancer to be generated, it is important to know what the risk factors are; and as far as possible prevent them to reduce the possibility of cancer.
The risk factors that we can control are:
- Consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
- Food and diet.
- Physical activity and exercise.
- Radiation or exposure to carcinogenic substances.
- Certain infections.
Significant symptoms to pay attention to
There are many types of cancers and the symptoms vary from person to person, but it is also true that some symptoms are very significant to which you should pay attention, although the presence of one or more of these symptoms does not mean that it is we suffer Always when in doubt, consult a doctor:
- Lumps or strange masses in any part of the body.
- Fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath, or cough.
- Bleeding or unexpected hemorrhages.
- Sudden weight loss or lack of appetite.
- Pain.
- Complications when swallowing, urinating or performing any other physiological need.
- Intense night sweats.
- Changes in a mole or spots on the skin.
- Changes in the breasts.
The importance of early detection
Early detection acquires fundamental importance, so that there are certain diagnostic tests that guarantee catching the disease at a very early stage, with the consequent probability of cure.
Depending on the type of cancer, its state, and the patient's health, different techniques and treatments may be used.
What can I do on World Cancer Day?
- Support a loved one who is going through the disease, a call, a visit to make them see that they are not alone.
- You can also carry out the medical examinations that may correspond to you in your case, take care of your health by avoiding risk factors.
- You can do anything you can think of to inform yourself and educate others, including social networks with the hashtag #WorldCancerDay.
- Make a donation for research.
