Early detection can save lives

World Cancer Awareness Day took place on 4 February and reminded people that healthy living should be first priority.

According to the World Health Organization more than eight million people died worldwide from cancer in 2012.

Another alarming statistic showed that 60 percent of the new annual cases occurred in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. And, that approximately a third of cancer deaths were as a result of the big five of behavioural and dietary risks: being overweight, not eating enough fruit and vegetables, not doing enough exercise, and the use of tobacco and alcohol.

Fedhealth Principal Officer Peter Jordan said, “Early diagnoses and treatment is vital to fight this disease and regular check-ups and preventative screening tests really can save lives.” He added that a malignant tumour means you have cancer. Malignant tumours can grow back if they are removed, they can invade nearby tissue and organs, they can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumour is an indication that there is no cancer present.

“Cancer types fall into five broad categories: Carcinoma, where the cancer begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma, which originates in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels or other connective or supportive tissues. Leukaemia starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. The fourth type is lymphoma and myeloma. These are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. The last type is a central nervous system cancer. It begins in the lymph tissue of the brain and/or spinal cord.”