GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - As there are differences between nations, so there is unity.
On 4 February, an initiative by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) will again focus its efforts on uniting the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, promote equity and integrate cancer control into the word health and development agenda.
Dr Lee-Ann Jones, a clinical and radiation oncologist at Cancercare in George, says that World Cancer Day resonates with her, as it does with all oncologists, whose daily challenge it is to provide the best available advice and treatment for their patients.
Jones suggests that information is key to the prevention and early detection of cancer. Regular screenings, self-examinations and the adoption of a healthy and positive lifestyle are a given. Early identification of the disease will inevitably increase the potential for recovery.
She says that screening guidelines for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer and skin cancer are available. These can generally be categorised according to a person's age, with someone in their 40s and 50s at higher risk of cancer than someone in their 20s.
However, some exceptions and genetic factors need to be taken into consideration. If one has a family history of cancer, it is advisable to discuss this with your general practitioner and have regular screenings from a younger age.
Women should examine their breasts regularly and have a pap smear every three years. By the same token, men should examine their testicles for any changes in shape or size.
Everyone should keep track of their moles and have a full-body skin examination with a dermatologist every two years. Always notify your doctor if you notice any changes in mole shape, size or colour. The early detection of melanoma is vital to a successful recovery.
To prevent colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy every five to ten years is recommended from the age of 50.
Smokers are at great risk and whether one currently smokes or only stopped smoking in the past 15 years, an annual CT scan to screen for lung cancer could be considered.
As we age, the regularity and types of screening we undertake will change.
"It is never too late to adopt a healthy way of living and to change your risk profile. There are eight reasonable steps to reduce your cancer risk: don't smoke; limit alcohol consumption; exercise regularly; eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables; maintain a healthy weight; protect your skin from the sun; protect against sexually transmitted infections and have regular screenings," says Jones.
She stresses that the approach, "prevention is better than cure", is key to looking after one's health in general. "We know that refined sugar, a high salt intake and processed foods affect our health negatively. We know that obesity places significant pressure on our bodies and still, there are so many who are reluctant to make the lifestyle changes for better health."
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