In 2022, cancer claimed the lives of almost 9.74 million people worldwide, thus being the main cause of deaths and it is expected that by 2045, this figure will increase to 18.5 million. Due to these alarming data and the continuous growth of patients presenting the disease in the world, Astrazeneca seeks society.
“Cancer is a disease that can affect any person and at any time in their life, which is why this February 4 we commemorate World Cancer Day and join the call made by the International Union for the control of the control of the control of Cancer (UICC), through the “United States” campaign, which seeks to increase worldwide aware of death, ”added Dr. Andrés Rojas, Medical Director of Astrazeneca for Central America and Caribbean.
Cancer is a disease that can develop anywhere in the body and some types spread rapidly while others grow slowly. Its cause is a combination between genetic factors and external agents, including physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; Chemical carcinogens such as asbestos, tobacco smoke and arsenic; and biological carcinogens, such as certain viruses, bacteria and parasites. According to the World Health Organization, the increase in cases in this pathology occurs with age, mainly due to the accumulation of risk factors, such as tobacco and/or alcohol consumption, unhealthy food, sedentary lifestyle and air pollution .
According to the latest published data, the types of cancer with greater mortality were lung (18.7%), colorectal (9.3%), liver (7.8%) and breast (6.8%). Early detection, adequate care and timely treatment are fundamental to considerably reduce these numbers, because under this panorama the probabilities of healing are high.4 “The advances in the early detection of the disease, the innovations in the treatment, the collaboration between the public and private sectors and greater attention to health equity have significantly improved the results of oncological care. It is imperative that as a society we collaborate between organizations and regions with education and prevention initiatives, as well as in innovations and research that allow us to offer new therapies to patients, ”said Dr. Rojas.
Since there are different types of cancer, symptoms vary according to their location, however there are true that can be taken into consideration, such as unusual masses, difficulty breathing or frequent cough, change in intestinal habits, involuntary weight loss, involuntary weight loss, Fatigue, appearance of crushes or changes in this, unusual changes in breasts, urinary complications, loss of appetite, unexpected bleeding, persistent pain, excessive sweating, burning in the stomach or a wound / ulcer that does not healthy.
The risk of developing some type of cancer can be reduced, taking measures such as consuming tobacco, opting for a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, constant exercise, maintain healthy body weight, avoid or reduce alcohol intake, avoid ultraviolet radiation, minimize exposure to ionizing radiation and perform vaccination against human papillomavirus and hepatitis B.4
Cancer prevention is key to reducing its global impact, as a disease that affects millions of people, without distinction. It should be noted that between 30% and 50% of cancer cases, the importance of having preventive actions in the population and work in conjunction with the different actors in the health sector can be prevented.
