On Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let's prevent the disease than finding ways to cure it.
By ET CONTRIBUTORS |
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By Dr Kumara Swamy
Lung cancer was considered one of the most rare diseases in the early part of 20th century (according to medical reports in 1912). Over the years, increase in different types of pollutants have led to aggravation of the disease.
Lung Cancer: In numbers
According to a study conducted by International Agency for Research Cancer, lung cancer has been responsible for almost 1.8 million deaths worldwide. The study also highlights that lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women, and is the leading cause of cancer death in women in 28 countries.
In the recent years, factors such as air pollution, smoking, industrial emission and unhealthy lifestyle choices have led to an increase in the incidence of lung cancer in India. The incidence is high in people between the ages of 55 and 80. Lung cancer currently accounts for 11.3% of all new cancers, and is also the most common cause of cancer death (13.7%) as per 'Lung Cancer in India: Challenges and Perspectives, January 2017'.
Several factors and practices have intensified the incidence of the disease.
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Habit of smoking Smoking is one of the major contributors to the rise of lung cancer. Peer pressure and in an attempt to look cool, the younger generation neglect the harmful effects of smoking. It has become almost impossible to persuade smokers to give up smoking despite an intense campaign against it.
Better Skin, More Savings and Other Surprising Benefits Of Saying No To Smoking
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Usually, the urge to smoke lasts only for a few minutes. Every time you feel the need to take a puff, drink lots of water to diminish the urge.
One of the main reasons behind the urge to smoke is due to stress. So, keep stress at bay by practicing yoga and involving yourself in therapeutic activities such as dancing, gardening, and playing your favourite sport.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to yourself. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of developing cancer and various other diseases. However, Pooja Duggal, CEO of HealthHunt, shares five other benefits of saying no to smoking.
Usually, the urge to smoke lasts only for a few minutes. Every time you feel the need to take a puff, drink lots of water to diminish the urge.
One of the main reasons behind the urge to smoke is du..
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Smoking can dull your sense of taste and smell. However, the damage is reversible. A few days after quitting, your food will taste and smell better. With time, your sense of taste will restore to normal, and you will be able to enjoy your meals to the fullest.
Smoking can dull your sense of taste and smell. However, the damage is reversible. A few days after quitting, your food will taste and smell better. With time, your sense of taste will restore to nor..
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Once you quit smoking, the oxygen level goes up in your body. Oxygen boosts energy which further helps in physical activities. Ditching that pack of cigarettes might help you get those six pack abs.
Once you quit smoking, the oxygen level goes up in your body. Oxygen boosts energy which further helps in physical activities. Ditching that pack of cigarettes might help you get those six pack abs.
Smoking can lead to premature signs of ageing like fine lines, sagging skin, wrinkles and uneven tone. By saying no to smoking, you can achieve a flawless and younger looking skin.
Smoking can lead to premature signs of ageing like fine lines, sagging skin, wrinkles and uneven tone. By saying no to smoking, you can achieve a flawless and younger looking skin.
Cigarettes have become more expensive than ever after GST of 28% on tobacco. If you smoke one cigarette per day at Rs 15, you end up spending Rs 450 per month. For people who smoke more than one cigarette, the value keeps increasing. For a month, if you put the money you spend on cigarettes and smoking materials in a piggy bank, you will be surprised to see how much you have been able to collect.
Cigarettes have become more expensive than ever after GST of 28% on tobacco. If you smoke one cigarette per day at Rs 15, you end up spending Rs 450 per month. For people who smoke more than one ciga..
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According to World Health Organisation, second-hand-smoking or passive smoking kills six lakhs annually, including 1.65 lakh children before they reach their 50th birthday. By kicking the butt, you can not only add years to your life, but also prevent lakhs of untimely and premature deaths of non-smokers.
According to World Health Organisation, second-hand-smoking or passive smoking kills six lakhs annually, including 1.65 lakh children before they reach their 50th birthday. By kicking the butt, you c..
Double trouble While smoking increases the possibility of cancer, the possibility of cure decreases dramatically compared to non-smokers. In fact, the cancer cells get so irritated with the smoke that they shed all their normal identity (technically called as receptors), making the targeted drug therapy useless. Added lung and heart damage reduces their tolerance to treatment which further makes the effective implementation of treatment procedures difficult.
Pollution & adulteration The other factors contributing to lung cancer are pollution and adulteration. Initially, consuming 4-5 different coloured-fruits/vegetables every day was a message I asked people to follow, something I borrowed from the Japanese lifestyle. But today, we are in dire straits. Adulteration has added to the risk of cancer. Today, it is best is to get access organic fruits and vegetables to avoid adulteration.
One must understand that organic products do not look as good as the ones dipped in chemicals.
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Something positive It's important to go organic. Making organic fruits and vegetables will not only keep cancer away, but will also bring several lifestyle diseases under control. Of course, the government needs to play an important role by instituting measures to control pollution and adulteration of all types.
It's time to prevent lung cancer, rather than trying to cure it. Putting a stop to smoking, control of pollution, and consumption of unadulterated fruits and vegetables are the only ways to take us back to the world of 1912, when lung cancer was a rare disease.
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"Better pay the cook than the doctor".
(The author is senior consultant & head of radiation oncology at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru)
World No Tobacco Day: Smoking Can Hurt Eyes, Bones And Brain
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Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer risk) and can damage nearly every organ of the body.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology at Sakra World Hospital explains how smoking affects every part of your body.
The next time you are tempted to take a drag, just pause for a minute and think of the consequences of your indulgence.
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer r..
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Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the risk of stroke.
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the..
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Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death among smokers. Chronic Bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which also results in difficulty in breathing, is caused primarily due to smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death amon..
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Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by reducing the good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) in the body.
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by r..
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In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ovarian cancer.
Smoking can impact the future generation, and can lead to physical deformities and sudden infant deaths.
In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ..
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Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-related problems.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-rela..
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Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bone marrow cancer and also rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, tobacco can also result in premature ageing, hair loss, weak immunity etc.
Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bo..
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Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It also has a negative impact on the liver and intestine, and can increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach and intestine.
Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It..
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
