Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 24 February 2023

Did you know that cancers were among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide? According to World Health Organization (WHO), cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths or nearly one in six deaths in 2020. The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum, and prostate cancers. Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity. In the Philippines, there are 141, 021 total cancer cases with 86,337 total cancer-related deaths in 2018. Among the top 10 most common cancers are breast, cervix uteri, colorectum, Corpus Uteri, leukemia, liver, lung, ovary, prostate, and thyroid cancer. Breast cancer has the highest incidence at 17.6% and lung cancer has the highest mortality rate at 17.9%.

Cancer develops from the transformation of normal cells into tumor cells in a multi-stage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumor. A tumor is a mass of tissue formed by the formation of abnormal cells. Tumors can be benign and malignant. Cancerous tumors are malignant and can spread to other tissues. As the tumor grows, cancer cells can spread in different parts of the body through the blood and build new tumors through the process called metastasis. Unlike malignant tumors, benign are noncancerous and do not invade or spread in other tissues. Benign tumors can be sometimes large and do not grow back when removed. Aside from tumors, cancerous cells can also impair the immune system and cause other changes that prevent the body from functioning regularly. Changes in a person’s genetic code that control the function of the cells, especially how they grow and divide and external factors including physical carcinogens (ultraviolet, ionizing radiation), chemical carcinogens (tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin), and biological carcinogens (viruses, bacteria or parasites) can contribute to the development of cancer. Other risk factors that can contribute to the development of cancer include age, heavy alcohol consumption, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. Cancer is named based on the area where it begins and the type of cell they are made of. While several use clinical terms for certain general types of cancer such as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Some general signs and symptoms vary depending on what part of the body is affected. These include a lump that can be felt under the skin, unintended weight loss or gain, changes in skin color (yellowing or darkening), sores that won't heal, changes to existing moles, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough, or trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain, persistent and unexplained fevers or night sweats, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Lifestyle changes may reduce your risk of cancer. You may avoid it by not smoking, avoiding too much sun exposure, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining or losing weight if overweight, getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV), and drinking alcohol in moderation. Treatments of cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. If you are experiencing persistent signs and symptoms, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention and ask your doctor which screening test will suit you based on your risk factors.

ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND

References:

1. National Cancer Institute-What is Cancer

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer

2. MedicalNewsToday-What to know about cancer

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323648#causes

3. Mayo Clinic- Cancer

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588

4. World Health Organization-Cancer

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer