Cancer prevention

The risk of cancer increases up to ten times with age, due to a longer period of exposure to all carcinogenic factors and a decrease in age-specific defenses. The main difference of cancer in older people compared to younger people is its location. Thus, in mature men, the most common cancers are prostate, colon and rectal, and lung cancer. In women over 50 years of age, the most common cancer is breast cancer, followed by ovarian, lung, colon and rectal cancer.

cancer prevention is especially important, as well as early diagnosis to achieve better treatment results. However, the causes of most types of cancer are not well understood. It is known that genetic predisposition (in some families), radiation and some toxic substances can cause cancer, just as there is a relationship between certain cancers and poor eating habits. But even when the cause of a tumor is known, it is not as easy, as might be expected, to fight it.

An excellent example of this is tobacco. Tobacco is known to be the cause or trigger of cancer in one in four cases of cancer in men and in one in ten cases in women. Tobacco use, both actively and passively, has been shown to be associated with cancer of the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, kidney, and bladder. If the habit of smoking were eradicated, the frequency of the cancer itself and of each type of cancer would change enormously. It is also known that, about ten years after quitting tobacco, the risk of cancer has decreased until it equals that of non-smokers.

The relationship between certain cancers and diet has also been observed. Thus, breast cancer is associated, in addition to other factors, with excessive consumption of saturated fat. These fats should be replaced as much as possible by unsaturated fats of vegetable origin, such as olive or sunflower oil. Colon cancer, meanwhile, is associated with a diet low in fiber.

Therefore, a series of good habits can be followed to prevent different types of cancer:

• Avoiding tobacco prevents lung, mouth, esophagus or bladder cancer, among others.
• Cutting down on alcohol prevents both liver and stomach cancer.
• Sunbathing properly to prevent skin cancer. Use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure in the hours of greatest incidence of the sun (midday and early afternoon), as well as wearing hats and sunglasses.
• Avoiding excessive consumption of smoked meats and sausages reduces the risk of developing liver and stomach cancer, among others.
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables would prevent 20% or more of all types of cancer, especially of the digestive system.
• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B will prevent possible liver cancer.
• Maintaining a physically active life can protect, fundamentally, against colon and breast cancer.
• Strictly respecting the regulations on exposure to carcinogens such as nickel or lead, as well as radiation, will reduce the risk of developing various types of cancer.

In addition to these recommendations, the early diagnosis of cancer is important, since it is in the initial stages of its development that the response to treatment and prognosis are best. Various actions are available for this early diagnosis:

• Periodic mammograms for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
• Cervical cytologies, for cancer of the uterine cervix.
• Prostate examination and detection of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
• In the case of a history in first-degree relatives of colon cancer or personal intestinal polyps, it is recommended to perform control colonoscopies.
• It is recommended to consult a doctor if a lump appears, a wound that does not heal (including in the mouth), a mole that changes in shape, size or color or other persistent problems such as cough, permanent hoarseness, intestinal or urinary disorders, weight loss, etc.

Currently, cancer does not mean, far from it, death. Today many cases are cured, even in older people, fighting it with the same weapons as in younger ages: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.