World Cancer Day 2023 Theme: Close the Care Gap
World Cancer Day is celebrated across the world on February 4th of every year. It is an annual day marked to spread awareness about the disease, share information related to its diagnosis, prevention, and cure, and raise money to help people suffering from the disease. The theme for World Cancer Day 2023 being “Uniting our voices and taking action,” we must in great unison educate people on how to fight against the dangerous disease, support cancer victims in their challenging battles, and help them emerge victorious.
“Closing the Care Gap” is a multi-year campaign for 2022-24 mainly with the motive to have a lasting impact and invest more energy and time to bring a change. World Cancer Day carries great importance for the very fact that many people on this day celebrate their win against cancer. On the other hand, some people remember the dear ones that they have lost to cancer.
Thus, the day demands the solidarity of all human beings.
To fight against cancer, spread awareness, and help those who are in this life-threatening battle, Apollo Cancer Centre, a cancer hospital in Ahmedabad, puts heavy emphasis on the need for one to know the disease thoroughly. So, let us now dwell on what cancer is and ways to diagnose, prevent and treat it.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. The most common cancers are :
- Bladder Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Lymphoma
Diagnosis
There are various ways to detect or diagnose cancer. The most commonly used ways are :
Physical exam
The doctor physically examines the body for lumps, abnormalities such as skin color or enlargement of an organ, and factors that indicate the presence of cancer.
Laboratory tests
Laboratory tests like urine and blood tests help doctors recognise deformities that can be a result of cancer. Eg. Blood test to detect Leukemia.
Imaging tests
There are various types of tests that help in diagnosing cancer. Naming a few, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scan, a computerized tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, X-ray, etc.
Biopsy
In this procedure, the doctor collects a sample of your cells to examine it under a microscope and detect whether your cells are cancerous.
Cancer Stages
Cancer stages are indicated by the numbers 0 through 4, which are often written as Roman numerals 0 through IV. Higher numbers indicate more-advanced cancer. Based on the diagnosis, what type of cancer and what stage it is told by the doctor.
Ways to prevent cancer
More often than not, people and their habits are the very reason that causes cancer. A few changes here and there and you can save yourself from a dangerous disease.
Say no to toxic substances like smoking, alcohol, etc.
Eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Know your genetic history.
Stay away from too much direct sun contact by using products like sunscreen etc.
Get vaccinated
Practice Safe Sex
Get screened and go for medical care regularly.
Treatments for Cancer
There are various treatments from which a particular one is advised as per the type of cancer and its stage. Medical science today has advanced a lot and successfully cures majorly all cancers. The treatments advised may vary from a single type or sometimes a combined one:
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted Drug Therapy
Immunotherapy
At Apollo Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, we have a specialized team for treating cancers. If the problem persists, consult with our experts now.