World Cancer Day: Unveiling The Realities Of Cancer Through The Eyes Of A Doctor

"When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions." William Shakespeare

The lines above, once written by one of the greatest play writers of all times, so closely resonates today with the feelings of a family, when one of its members is diagnosed with cancer.

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The very diagnosis of a cancer in any family opens the floodgates of uncertainty, fear, despair and suffering. Sometimes cancer is an incidental finding and, in such cases, the patient and the family continues to be in a state of denial for the longest period.

However, without dwelling too much into the depths of uncertainty, sufferings and deadlines of the disease, it¡¯s important to discuss what can be done to prevent it.

What can be done to cure it? What can be done to ensure that we stay strong if any one of us is hit hard by the disease?

Any form of cancer today is directly or indirectly affected by three factors- smoking, alcohol and obesity. Despite a reasonable level of awareness about the ill effects of smoking, anti-tobacco advertisements, restrictions on smoking in public places and increased taxation on tobacco, the infatuation and addiction of our society with smoking continues to soar high.

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On the other hand, alcohol is an independent risk factor for various cancers, while obesity is directly related to poor outcome in cancer. So the first step towards a relatively cancer free society is to bring down generalised consumption of tobacco, alcohol and focus on a healthy diet combined with exercise to get rid of obesity.

Cervical cancer

A very common cancer in females, can be prevented by getting vaccinated against HPV and undergoing routine screening test (pap smear test) on the advise of your gynaecologist.

(Also read: Explained: Here's How Cervical Cancer Affects Women)

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Young females need to be counselled about sexual hygiene, avoiding multiple sexual partners and the advantages of using physical barrier methods, such as condoms, for prevention of cervical cancer. Early detected cancers have better outcomes.

Colorectal cancer

Another common cancer in our society, can be identified at an early stage with a routine colonoscopy. People with inflammatory bowel disease and a family history of colonic polyps or colonic cancers are at a relatively higher risk. Screening colonoscopy and stool testing (for occult blood) is recommended, starting at the age of 50, to identify colonic cancer at an early stage.

Any lump or mass in the breast should never be ignored. There are plenty of videos and literature available on the internet for self breast examination. Any changes in the breast, detected during self examination or incidentally, should immediately be reported to your doctor.

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Skin Cancer

Over exposure to sun also predisposes us to skin cancer. Smoking and working without masks in industries where aerosols and fine dust particles are generated may predispose us to lung cancers.

Prostate Cancer

PSA (a blood test) should be added to routine blood investigations in men above 50 years of age. It alerts one against the risk of prostate cancer.

Though screening recommendations exist for a few cancers, majority cancers do not have any screening protocol. Hence, in such situation, it is our overall awareness that works. Not ignoring any lumps or nodes in our body, immediately seeing our doctor if we experience any abnormal bleeding, swelling or any other symptoms, eating healthy, exercising, minimising or abstaining from alcohol and tobacco consumption are a few ways that can help us fight against cancer.

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Another important aspect is to stay financially prepared for such a disease. Today, there are dedicated insurance coverage policies for cancers and critical illnesses that take care of all our hospital bills during such testing times. All of us who can afford it should have one.

On the occasion of Cancer Day, as a nation let's not lose hope and let's not be terrified. Early diagnosis and timely medical intervention have made most cancers curable today. Let's have the courage, confidence, faith and awareness to face and battle cancer if ever we have to face it. Remember, the sun goes down only to let the shining stars come up.

Renowned Dr. Pushkar Anand Singh works as a Consultant General and Laparoscopic surgeon at Shri Ram Singh Hospital, Noida.