Cancer does not have to be a death sentence

The 4^th February marked World Cancer Day. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) used the day to focus on dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer.

World Cancer Day takes place annually and is an opportunity when everyone, locally and internationally, can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. Cancer kills more people that TB, AIDS and Malaria combined. It’s a chance for CANSA to raise awareness and improve general knowledge around cancer by dismissing some misconceptions about the disease.

More than 30% of cancers can be prevented. With this in mind it is important to make people aware of the risk factors and methods to reduce the risk of cancer. It is time to change preconceived ideas of what cancer is and who is affected by it as there is much ignorance and fear as a result.

Let me immediately squash the biggest myth of them all; that that cancer is a death sentence. It is not. The truth is that most cancers can now be treated and even prevented. Obviously early detection is the key. The biggest myths I’ve come across include:

There is nothing I can do to prevent cancer: At least 30-40% of cancers are preventable. Potential cancer risks can be reduced by avoiding cancer causing agents and by adopting a healthy balanced lifestyle. Many cancers can be prevented if one avoids tobacco, eats a healthy diet, exercises regularly, protects oneself from excessive sun exposure, limits or avoids drinking alcohol, and goes for recommended screenings regularly.

Cancer is always fatal: Although cancer is a serious disease that may cause death, ongoing new breakthroughs in prevention, early detection and more specific treatment regimens are promoting more effective control measures and help to make cancer a more manageable disease.

Cancer is a disease of white people only: Cancer occurs among people of all races, creeds, ages, genders, rich and poor; it knows no boundaries. Thousands of cancer survivors from all walks of life can attest to this.

There is no link between cancer and the eating of meat and animal fat, therefore cancer patients can eat meat freely: In 2011 a review of several studies by prominent scientists, the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that cancer patients should eat very little or no red meat, which includes beef, mutton, pork, as all these meats are high in iron content which is highly absorbable and is a requirement for cancer cell growth. Certain amino acids in proteins further stimulate the growth of cancers. Red meat is considered a risk factor for colorectal, prostate, breast, uterus, kidney and other cancers.

Each one of us needs to take responsibility in preventing cancer. Let’s all take personal responsibility.