Cancer, the name itself is shocking to the general population; what to speak of the victims! In the recent past, there has been tremendous research in understanding the behavior of cancers and effort to prevent the disease by various possible means, including preparation of vaccine. As far as our present understanding goes, the causes can be multi-factorial, ranging from environmental factors to genetic predisposition; for which a particular approach to prevent or cure the disease does not succeed. There have been many evidence based suggestions to prevent the disease to some extent or help in the early detection of it. Some of those small things are mentioned here;
- Ultraviolet rays and cancers
Ultraviolet ( UV ) rays are of three types, basing on their wave lengths. Those are, C (200-290 nm), B (290-320 nm) and A (320-400 nm). Ultraviolet B and C are responsible for skin cancers like melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The white population is at more risk due to less amount of pigment in their skin called melanin, which is responsible for effective filtration of the UV rays. So, excessive exposure to sun light may do harm to them more easily, though no other race is immune to it.
Ultraviolet rays from sun act on cholesterol to transform it to Vitamin D in the skin of individuals. This exposure is decreasing day by day because of the changing work culture, demanding indoor stay; resulting in lack of exposure to sun light. Vitamin D may prevent cancer of ovary, breast, pancreas and intestine; researchers point out. So, enough outdoor activity is to be encouraged, but clearly not in excess to cause harm to skin. About 10 minutes to 30 minutes daily exposure to intense sun with exposed limbs may fetch enough vitamin D for a person. Supplementation of vitamin 400 IU to 600 IU per day, depending on age may also be sufficient.
- Sedentary life style Vs exercise
Now-a-days, more people remain in the indoors due to the nature of their work and follow a sedentary life style. It makes patient obese due to increase in fatty tissue, which has been linked to cancer of breast apart from its other harmful effects. It is said that exercise switches off the genes responsible for various cancers; decreases fat which is thought to fuel cancer cell to multiply. Adequate exercise may go a long way in preventing cancers and at the same time boost the immune system to fight against it.
- Vaccines, communicable diseases and cancer
Long back, BCG vaccine was being tried to prevent melanoma; and did not succeed in a significant way. Viruses like Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Ebstein Barr virus (EBV) have been incriminated to cause cancer cervix and certain lymphomas, respectively. Vaccination against these viruses may prevent these cancers to the extent held responsible. Hepatitis B and C may become chronic to cause changes leading to cancer of liver. Vaccination against hepatitis B may prevent a fraction liver cancer. H. Pylori infection of stomach is associated with cancer of stomach, and is transmitted through feco-oral route. Prevention of contamination of water and food though difficult to achieve; may be tried.
- Tobacco smoking and chewing
Tobacco smoking and chewing has been clearly linked to cancer of cheek, tongue, esophagus, stomach, respiratory tract etc. Prevention of smoking at public places in US has been responsible for remarkable decline in the number of cancer cases in the last decade. But, it is yet to be enforced in letter and spirit in India and many other countries. Passive smoking is equally dangerous as direct smoking.
- Circumcision and penile cancer
Jews, who follow the ritual of circumcision early in the childhood, are less likely to suffer from cancer of penis. The present proposition, not to deny circumcision to anybody, if otherwise not contraindicated may prevent some penile cancer.
- Multiple childbirth, bad hygiene and cervical cancer
Multiple child births cause repeated tear of the cervix of uterus in female and may be responsible for cervical cancer. The trend of having many children in a family is being discouraged now a day. Use of unhygienic tampon and un-cleanliness may initiate sepsis in the genital tract of woman to cause cancer of cervix. Maintaining hygiene is not a costly affair, can be practiced.
- Breast feeding, early menarche and late menopause
Breast feeding has been seen to prevent cancer of breast in mother. Early menarche and late menopause i.e. long reproductive life is linked to increase in incidence of breast.
Non-vegetarian diet, especially red meat is associated with increase in incidence of intestinal cancer. The long colonic transit time of non-veg. diet facilitates the toxins to remain in contact with colonic mucosa for a longer period to induce changes in the cells. Smoked and charred foods contain nitrosamines, which may cause stomach cancer. Smoke from burning hydrocarbons may cause respiratory cancers. Junk food, tinned foods and fried foods promote cancer. Fibers in diet prevent cancer of colon by increasing the colonic transit time and adsorbing the toxins present in the food. Ground nuts and some other food may get contaminated by aflatoxin liberated from fungal infestation of nuts, and if taken may cause cancer of liver. Careful preservation, safe consumption may prevent some cancer of liver. Some chemicals like curcumin in turmeric; and some chemicals in pepper and certain other spices used in the preparation of food have cancer limiting effect.
Some vitamins like E, D and C act as radical oxygen scavengers; prevent damage to the cells and mutations, may have a role in cancer prevention. Some other trace elements like selenium, chromium and zinc are said to prevent cancer. Ingredients like resveratrol present in grape seeds said to have cancer preventive property. Chlorophyll present in the green leaves and red skinned fruits may have antioxidant property to limit cancer formation.
Early detection of cancer is also termed as prevention of cancer. Self assessment for unusual mass in the accessible organs like breast and testes will ensure an early of treatment. This is not difficult. People having family history of cancer should go for screening tests in consultation with their doctors. That will ensure early detection of cancers. Reporting abnormalities in skin, bowel habit and voice for further assessment may be helpful in early diagnosis. Abnormal discharge from breast, vagina and other natural orifices may be warning signs of some of the cancers. Leading a little careful and active life; adhering to certain values and customs may prove beneficial for us. There has been a lot of work in the genetic front to understand the cancer.
In the near future, many more things are likely to come up. Deletion, replacement or modification of cancer genes early in the life may be able prevent cancer later on. Time may not be far away, when a genetic horoscope will be prepared at the time of birth of a baby in place of present horoscope, made according to the position planets. This genetic horoscope will tell the remedial measures to be taken in the place of remedial measures taken at present basing on the planetary horoscope and advice of priests.
