DANGER? CANCER
Cancer is a disease caused by the proliferation of cells in the body, the cells in the body divide in an abnormal way. The cells in our bodies all have certain jobs to do. Normal cells divide in an orderly way. They die when they are worn out or damaged, and new cells take their place. Cancer occurs when the cells start to grow out of control. The cancer cells keep on growing and making new cells. They crowd out normal cells. This causes problems in the part of the body where the cancer started. There are many types of cancer. It is not just one disease. There are more than 200types of cancer. We have; breast cancer, bone cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, among others.
Cancer can also grow and spread to different part of the body. For instance, cancer cells in the lung can travel to the bones and grow there. When cancer cells spread, it’s called metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis). When lung cancer spreads to the bones, it is still called lung cancer. To doctors, the cancer cells in the bones look just like the ones from the lung. It is not called bone cancer unless it starts in the bones.
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low and middle income countries, the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles. At present, there is no sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer. Therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed.
The majority of deaths which occur in low and middle income countries, where most women with breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages mainly for lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services. It is however important to be aware of this deadly disease and know prevention is better than cure
To commemorate the world cancer day through the UI at 70 event there would be a Breast cancer awareness sponsored by UI and women organization at Jaja clinic, University of Ibadan on the 25th of October. Breast examination is important; breast cancer is real. Prevention is better than cure, Be aware.
Ajuwon Rodeeyah
