Cancer Prevention Better Than Cure

21 Jun, 2014 - 07:06 0 Views
Cancer Prevention Better Than Cure Radiotherapy remains expensive to the majority of cancer sufferers in Zimbabwe

The Sunday Mail

Radiotherapy remains expensive to the majority of cancer sufferers in Zimbabwe

Radiotherapy remains expensive to the majority of cancer sufferers in Zimbabwe

HEALTH experts have expressed concern over the increase in the number of cancer-related deaths and have urged the public to go for regular cancer screening.
Dr Allen Dimingo said if cancer is detected earlier, costs of treatment will be lower and manageable.
“People should be screened regularly for some cancers such as cervical, breast, prostate and Oesophagus which can be detected,” Dr Dimingo said.

He said not all cancers can be treated. Information shows, risk factors of cancers depend on specific type of cancers. However, smoking and drinking are the most common risks factors.

“Other risk factors may include obesity in elderly women as it exposes them to cancers such as lung and uterus cancers.
“Activities that involved inhaling asbestos are risk factors of lung cancers and related organs,” he added.

He said most common cancers are linked to HIV, immunological failure and are genetically inherited.

“Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is sexually transmitted and Kaposi’s sarcoma is common among HIV patients,” he added.

The local doctor urged people to practice safe sexual intercourse to prevent themselves from such cancers. He said smoked foods maybe a risk factor to Oesophagus cancers as seen by a research that was done in Japan.

“The research showed smoked foods contained carcinogens that can cause Oesophagus cancer.
“Having heart burns maybe a risk factor also to cancer of the Oesophagus because the cancer is linked to an acidic environment,” Dr Dimingo said.

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