Every child is a reward and blessing and a Gift from God. Whether they are bringing parents pride and joy, or whether they are teaching us how to be more patient and forgiving.Having a 3 year old Monika with Leukamia shatters all such dreams for the Parents.
She was diagnosed, as case of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and has started Chemotheraphy Dr. Mane Medical Foundation – SAIDHAM.
Before we start with details one would surely like to know “What is CANCER”?
In simple terms, cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells. Each one of us is born with a potential of having cancer.
One cannot “Catch” it as one would an infection or a cold. When the programming of a cell or a group of cells is affected, growth may become uncontrolled. Some of the factors that can alter the code are chronic irritation, tobacco, smoke and dust, radioactive substances, age, sex, race and heredity.While one cannot control many of these factors , we need to be aware of the ones we can control of. Prevention is definitely better than treatment of cancer.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL AND MALIGNANT CELLS?
Normal cells grow in a well regulated pattern. When cancer sets in, a group of cells suddenly starts multiplying in a haphazard and uncontrolled way, forming lumps or tumours.
A BENIGN Growth can be removed and is not active.
A MALIGNANT tumour never stops growing and can spread to other parts of the body
With 66% of the world’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the quality of the urban environment will play an increasingly important role in public health.
In many cities across the world, mayors and urban policy makers are collaborating more than ever before on innovative solutions for creating and sustaining healthy cities. They are sharing ideas; forming alliances; and challenging their national governments to adopt policies to promote and protect the health and wellbeing of their citizens.
One of the clearest examples of the use of effective public policy for cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention is the creation of smoke free environments (Public places) to prevent cancer and other NCDs.
Cities can also support people to be physically active by making cycling and walking accessible and safe modes of transport for everyone, and providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
Creating public spaces and improving infrastructures in cities, to encourage active play and travel can have wide ranging benefits for communities, increasing the integration of physical activity into people’s everyday life as well as reducing deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents and improving air quality
Every SCHOOL can also foster a Culture of healthy choices and habits by providing nutritious food and drink choices, as well as time for recreation and sport, putting practical education about food and physical activity on the school curriculum.
Providing healthy choices in school canteens and cafeterias to ensure children have access to lower energy density meals and snacks, and to water as an alternative to sugar- Development of positive attitudes towards food and promote healthy behaviours.
In some countries, there are also opportunities for schools to participate in programmes on food growing, harvesting, cooking and eating.
The establishment of standards for meals provided in schools, or foods and beverages sold in schools, that meet healthy nutrition guidelines, is one of a set of recommendations by the World Health Organization to promote healthy school environments.
Inclusive, quality physical education should also be part of the school curriculum, is linked to a greater likelihood of life-long participation, as well as positive attitudes and behaviours.
- Regular participation in quality physical education can also improve a child’s attention span, enhance their cognitive control and processing.
- Some schools, who appoint a person to oversee investment and policies that support a healthy school environment may have wide reaching benefits for improving the physical and mental health ofstudents and staff that extend to the whole community.
- Schools can be champions of healthy behavioursamong children, staff, parents, families and the wider community by cultivating an environment that supports good nutrition and physical activity.
Changes in the way we live mean that more and more people around the world are exposed to cancer risk factors like smoking, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles.
Educating and informing individuals and communities about the links between lifestyle and cancer risk is the first step in effective cancer prevention.
Smoking is still the biggest cancer risk factor.
1.Tobacco use accounts for five million deaths every year, or 22% of all cancer deaths.
- Reducing the rates of tobaccouse will significantly decrease the global burden of a large number of cancers, including of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, oesophageal, pancreas, bladder, kidney, cervix and stomach, and acute myeloid leukaemia.
- Consuming alcohol islinked to an increased risk of cancers. There is now strong evidence that consuming alcoholic drinks increases the risk of seven cancers: mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophageal, liver, breast , and pancreas
- The rising levels of obesityare of concern in many countries around the world. Overweight and obesity are strongly linked with an increased risk of bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophagus, kidney, and gallbladder cancers later in life
5 . Yet, about a third of common cancers can be prevented through a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active
Specifically, the World Cancer Research Fund International estimates that for the
13 most common cancers, about 31% of cases are preventable through a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Equipping individuals and communities with the latest knowledge of the links between lifestyle and cancer can empower people to adopt healthy choices. Individuals and communities need to be informed that more than a third of cancers are preventable through adopting healthy behaviours.
- With the global labour force predicted to rise to 3.5 billion by 2030, there is a tremendous opportunity to harness the workplace as a platform for cancer prevention and early detection
- Workplaces of all sizes can put in place policies and programmes that motivate employees to adopt healthier behaviours. Creating 100% smoke-free workplaces and providing information and access to smoking cessation tools is one of the clearest examples of effective workplace policy for cancer prevention – a ban on smoking in all indoor workplaces can reduce the prevalence of smoking by 6%
- Other measures such as providing access to healthy food options
- Promoting active transport to and from work; and increasing movement in the workplace
- Workplace wellness programmes can also promote early detection by using communications channels to share information about the signs and symptoms of some cancers and where appropriate
- Encourage and support participation in cancer screening programmes for early diagnosis. Workplaces should also put in place policies toprevent occupational exposure to cancer-causing agents, such as asbestos and other workplace carcinogens
Shishir Mandya
Vice President – SHIVPRABHA CHARITABLE TRUST, PUNE
