We hear in hushed tones, that so and so got cancer and we respond in the same hushed tone. We don’t try to know the details like which cancer it was and how it is proliferating in our region. In India, awareness of cancer has increased a lot in the past decade but still, 80% patients consult a doctor at a very advanced stage of their cancer when the chances of survival are marginal.This is due to the socio-economic pressures and societal pressures. Even though when we are aware of the risks pertaining, we don’t take necessary action requiredto curb it.
The medical team at Capitol Hospital takes a close look at the top 5 most diagnosed cancersin men and women to make you understand it better.
The top 5 most-diagnosed cancers in men: lung, prostate, colon/colorectal, stomach, and liver and for women: breast, colon/colorectal, lung, cervix, and stomach.
LUNG CANCER
This cancer originates from the lungs and is most prominent in people who smoke. Smoking along with cancer has many other harmful effects too like erectile dysfunction, stroke, heart diseases, and tuberculosis.Feroz Khan, an Indian actor, director and producer was a chain smoker who met his demise because of lung cancer in 2009. It has more than one million cases in India.
In women too, lung cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers. Non-smoking people can catch this disease too. The major cause of this cancer in non-smoking people is Radon.Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that is released from the normal decaying of uranium in the soil. Other reason includes secondhand smokes, environmental exposures.
PROSTATE CANCER
The prostate is a gland in the shape of walnut which is located between the bladder and the penis. The main purpose of the gland is to nourish the sperm and protect it. The seminal fluid is produced by this gland. Cancer slowly spreads from the prostate to other parts, usually bones. Sometimes, no symptoms are caused in the earlier stages for this. But for some cases, symptoms like blood in the urine, pain in the pelvis are common. The risk factor for this cancer is obesity, family history.It also has more than one million cases in India.
COLON/ COLORECTAL CANCER
It is also known as bowel cancer. It originates from the colon or rectum, the parts of thelarge intestine. The symptoms may comprise of blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, weight loss and feeling tired. Lifestyle, obesity, no exercise, and smoking- all these can increase the risk of colon cancer. In India, it is the third most common cancer in women and fourth in men.
STOMACH CANCER
Also known as gastric cancer, the tumor originates from the stomach of the human body. It is in the category of top 5 most diagnosed cancers in both men and women. The symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the stools. From thestomach, it can spread to other parts of the body too. The risk factors include smoking and obesity. The risk of this cancer is more prominent in males than females.
