Four out of ten cancers could be prevented by adopting healthy habits

2024-02-04 04:30:11

The word “cancer” is still taboo. Although it includes some of the most common diseases, although there are possibilities of preventing it in its most prevalent forms, treating it successfully and curing it -especially if it is diagnosed in time-, the truth is that it continues to be a topic that frightens and is avoided. This is a mistake, given that it is the second leading cause of death globally. In Argentina, for example, regarding 130 thousand cases are diagnosed per year and 70 thousand deaths are recorded. All this stands out on “World Cancer Day”, which is commemorated every February 4.

The striking thing is that many myths persist around it, but they have less and less foundation. Which is it? For example, his fatality. “Today cancer is cured in 50% of cases. We talk regarding curing, completely, half of the time,” Dr. Diego Kaen, current president of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (Aaoc), assured PERFIL. And he added: “in 30% of situations it becomes “chronic,” that is, its progress is slowed.

But the central key to this health problem is to diagnose it prematurely. “If we were to prevent the five most common types, the cure rate skyrockets and is between 75 and 90%.” In other words, according to this expert, if Argentines adopted healthy lifestyle habits and underwent the recommended check-ups, at the indicated age, today we might overcome and cure nine out of ten cases of cancer. “In addition,” recalls Kaen, “all preventive studies are covered by the public health system, social and prepaid works, which should facilitate accessibility.”

Another public health problem related to these pathologies, according to Kaen, is a phenomenon that has been occurring in the last decade: differences in access to treatment in a timely manner depending on the group and place of residence. These differences grow not only between Argentine patients and those from the first world, but also have a correlation between those who are treated in specialized centers in large cities and those who do not have access to high-tech teams of specialists.

Prevention figures should be added to these cure figures. “We have scientific evidence that 40% of all cancer cases recorded in the world might be prevented simply by following a handful of simple and inexpensive measures. This means leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes: healthy eating, frequent physical activity, zero tobacco consumption, moderate – or no – alcohol intake, skin protection when exposed to the sun, having the vaccination schedule up to date ( especially with HPV and hepatitis) and have regular health checks,” summarized Matías Chacón, Head of the Department of Clinical Oncology at the “Alexander Fleming” specialized Institute, in a dissemination talk attended by PERFIL.

According to Chacón, primary prevention is not a minor issue if we consider that “around the world, every year, around 20 million people get sick with cancer. In Argentina, there were – according to the latest official data published in 2020 – almost 131 thousand people. The most frequent was breast cancer, followed by colon and lung cancer. The quintet is completed with prostate and kidney. That is, all forms are preventable or – at least – capable of being diagnosed and treated early, and with very good prospects.”

The problem is that most of these data are “estimates and extrapolations” and we lack data and epidemiological details regarding these pathologies in our country, something that does not happen in the first world. For this reason, they say, it is possible that we have a significant underreporting of cases.

Having this information is essential for prevention: “if we do not know the cases, at what stage they are diagnosed, how many health personnel we have related to this pathology, how many people undergo specific preventive studies and where they are done, it is not possible to advance.” . This data is essential to be able to allocate the necessary resources and plan the appropriate health policies to treat cancer and definitively remove it from that place of myths, deaths and fears.

Other helpful therapies

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Today we know that cancer is a high-impact disease, which not only affects the patient, but also their family and environment. And that the best possible response is integrative. “This involves complementing traditional medical treatment with various options that range from specialized psychology to other techniques that can help face the complexities of the pathology and its treatment,” Mónica Chaves, psycho-oncologist and workshop coordinator at the Foundation, told PROFILE. You go out. This expert added: “There is a lot to learn, from nutrition to physical aspects, stress management and complex emotional situations that are usually faced in such a mobilizing moment.” These options also include mindfulness, meditation and yoga workshops. To participate in the self-care workshops – which are free and taught via Zoom – you must register via the web at www.cancerconcuidados.org.

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