Over the past few decades, cancer—the second largest cause of death globally—has grown to be a serious health concern. The silent killer spreads slowly before exhibiting symptoms that are evident and frequently goes unnoticed in its early stages. The secret to surviving this fatal illness is early detection. The lethal illness is on the rise in India as well.
Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates that 19.3 million cancer cases occurred globally in 2020. According to predictions, the number of cancer cases in India is expected to reach 2 million by 2040, representing a 57.5 percent increase from 2020. One in nine people will likely get cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Registry Programme. The most common cancers in men and women, respectively, were lung and breast cancers. Childhood lymphoid leukemia has become the most prevalent cancer.
World Cancer Day is an international awareness day led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) celebrated on February 4 every year. Cancer is caused by an uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in the body that causes lump or tumour in most causes. If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread to other body parts and affect all body functions.
Here are some of the steps you need to follow in your daily routine to overcome this illness:
1. Eat healthier
Of course, eating to feel better is a basic human tendency. Meals in a fast-paced life are generally whatever is easily and quickly accessible. Stress makes us want more sugary and fattening foods, which are typically deficient in fiber and other nutrients and include addictive chemicals. Obesity and abnormal weight increase are eventually caused by such bad eating habits.
Worldwide obesity has tripled in the last 50 years. Ironically, the rise has been dramatic in lower-income countries where malnutrition is common. These communities have greater access to high-calorie foods with low nutritional value. By being overweight, changes occur in the internal hormonal milieu to such an extent that it predisposes an individual to cancers in the breasts, endometrium, cervix, prostate, colorectum, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, and gallbladder.
2. Stress management
In the complex world of today, stress has become a dependable companion. Stress stimulates cancer growth even if it may not cause cancer directly. Taking care of our mental health, which frequently gets neglected, is the most crucial aspect of stress management. While what you eat matters, what eats you matters more. Comparison, criticism, and complaining are the three Cs that create mental malignancies.
3. Proper sleep
A good night’s sleep is considered as essential as oxygen for our survival. Good quality sleep helps to heal and produce regeneration of cells. It is a natural immune booster.
Scientifically, seven hours of sleep is required to protect ourselves against heart disease, diabetes, depression, and also cancer. Professionals working at odd hours of the night disrupt their biological clocks and accrue a predisposition towards breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
4. Physical activity and immunity boosters
Regular physical activity for a period of half an hour and engaging oneself in creative pursuits helps relieve one’s stress bucket. It is one of the best ways of de-stressing and relieving anxiety. This facilitates the production of feel-good hormones in the brain, which aids the release of endorphins. These hormones in turn provide clearance of negative thoughts and emotions. Positive thoughts, cheerfulness, strength of the mind, and joy have all been shown to increase the number of white blood cells in the system.
