Cancer is the number one cause of death worldwide: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 10 million people died from the disease in 2020.
It is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. These abnormal cells, called cancer cells, can form tumors that interfere with the normal function of organs and tissues.
(Keep reading: Beware: These are the most common signs your body shows before cancer develops)
There are many types of cancer, depending on the organ or tissue it originates from.Some Common examples include breast, lung, prostate, colon, and skin cancers, among others.
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According to WHO indicators, as of 2020, the most common cancers are: breast cancer (2.26 million cases); lung (2.21 million cases); colorectal cancer (1.93 million cases); prostate (1.41 million cases); skin ( melanoma) (1.2 million cases); gastric disease (1.09 million cases).
(Also read: Breast cancer: Study identifies four new genes linked to the disease)
In fact, 30% to 50% of current cancer cases could be avoided by reducing risk factors and applying evidence-based prevention strategies. Furthermore, this burden can be reduced through early detection and appropriate care and treatment of patients. Many cancers have a high chance of being cured if diagnosed early and treated appropriately.
Risk Factors You Can Avoid to Prevent Cancer
According to the International Center for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized agency of the World Health Organization responsible for maintaining the classification of carcinogens: Cancer incidence increases dramatically with age, most likely because of the accumulation of risk factors for certain types of cancer.
In addition to this global accumulation, the efficiency of cellular repair mechanisms also decreases with age.
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