Cancer is caused by abnormal cell division. The cells in our body grow, age, die, and are replaced in a coordinated and organized manner under the control of the DNA present in our cells. When the DNA is damaged due to injury or constant irritation (e.g., ill-fitting dentures), the cells get injured badly. The properties of the cell change, and it acquires the ability to grow uncontrollably and forms a tumour.

• Benign: Localized and do not spread to other parts. They are non-cancerous.
• Malignant: Spreads not only inside the organ it originates from but also via the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels to other parts of the body.

Major risk factors for causing cancers:

Non-modifiable Causes (5-10%):

• • Old age
  • Gender
  • Family history of cancer
  • Early menarche or late menopause

Modifiable Causes (90-95%):

• • Tobacco in any form
  • Excessive alcohol usage
  • Lack of exercise
  • Obesity
  • Consumption of processed food
  • Excessive exposure to sunlight
  • Occupational hazards
  • Lack of breastfeeding
  • Use of hormone pills
  • Human Papillomavirus strain 16 & 18
  • Environmental pollution

• Change in bowel habits
• Change in urinary habits
• Sores that are recurrent and do not heal in the oral cavity or skin
• Unusual bleeding from any opening in the body
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Change in voice
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Constant indigestion
• Change in the size of warts or moles that bleed on touch
• Lump in the breast
• Cervical discharge with blood stains and foul smell
• Post-coital bleeding
• Intermenstrual spotting
• Post-menopausal bleeding

• Avoid tobacco in any form
• Minimize alcohol consumption
• Maintain BMI between 18.5-24.9
• Regular exercises
• Use energy-rich foods and avoid fast foods
• Cut down on processed meat and bakery products
• Reduce sugary fizzy drinks

Ideally, the food must comprise unprocessed cereals and pulses (whole wheat and millets) and 5 portions of vegetables (green leafy) and fruits per day.

• One-fourth of your plate should consist of grains such as rice, wheat, oats, or millets like ragi.
• The remaining portion should include one serving of fish or chicken, or plant-based options like peas, groundnuts, or pulses.

Prevalence in India:

• One-third of the world’s oral cancer patients reside in India
• Oral cancer accounts for 30% of all cancer cases in the country

Affected Areas:

Oral cancer can develop in various regions, including:

• Tongue
• Lips
• Gums
• Palate
• Tonsils
• Cheek
• Floor of the oral cavity

Signs and Symptoms:

Look for the following warning signs:

• White, red, or mixed sores in the oral cavity lasting more than 3 weeks
• Persistent pain in the oral cavity
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• Change in voice or speech
• Intolerance to spicy foods
• Noticeable lumps in the neck

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India, accounting for 27% of cases

• More common in cities: 1 in 22 women likely to get breast cancer
• In villages: 1 in 60 women are likely to get breast cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

• Presence of a nodule or swelling in the breast
• Presence of a nodule or swelling in the axillary area
• Blood-stained discharge from the nipple
• Recent retraction of the nipple
• Changes in skin texture
• Orange peel appearance of the skin of the breast

Self-Examination:

Advise self-examination in 5 steps once a month

Step 1:
Stand in front of a mirror (after removing clothes) and observe for any changes in size, shape, or texture.

Step 2:
Raise both hands above the head and observe for the above changes.

Step 3:
Lie flat on the bed or floor. With the palm of the hand, examine each breast and axilla for any swelling (do not use fingertips). 

Step 4:
Pull each nipple with fingers to see whether it is retracted or not. Press the nipple to check for any discharge.

Step 5:
Examine for any changes in the skin, looking for dimpling or an orange peel appearance.

• Second most common cancer in women in India, accounting for 23% of all cancers in women
• High incidence among women in the age group 30 – 67
• Higher incidence in rural areas than in the city
• If detected early, it can be treated and cured
• When the HPV strains 16 & 18 are detected in the cervical canal and treated accordingly, cervical cancer can be prevented

Signs:

• In early stages, it is mostly asymptomatic. That is why screening becomes very important
• Post-coital bleeding
• Inter-menstrual bleeding
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• Presence of foul-smelling or blood-stained discharge from the vagina
• Severe back pain during coitus

Eligibility: 30 – 65 years
Sample Collection: Samples can be taken after 2 days of the end of the menstrual cycle.
Exclusions: Samples are not taken from pregnant women or those post-hysterectomy.

The W.H.O. has recommended a three-pillar strategy for elimination of cervical cancer by achieving the following targets by 2030: 

1. 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years
2. 70% of women are screened with a high-performance HPV test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age. 
3. 90% of women identified with cervical cancer and precancer receive treatment. 

It takes 15 – 20 years for a precancerous lesion to develop into cancer. Early detection and treatment of cervical pre-cancer can prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer.

LIFE IS REAL, LIFE IS EARNEST, AND GRAVE IS NOT ITS GOAL.
SO SCREEN AT REGULAR INTERVALS AND LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE.