Stay away from harmful alcohol, engage in physical activity… ways to prevent cancer

February 4 is world cancer day, a day set aside to raise awareness for cancer prevention, detection, especially early detection and then treatment.

With more people dying of cancer especially in low income countries due to a lack of access to healthcare facilities and in the case of Nigeria, only one functioning radiotherapy machine to attend to over 180 million people, early detection, is the most effective way to reduce mortality rate and with cancers that can be prevented, full implementation of effective intervention methods.

On the occasion of the world cancer day,the World Health Organisation (WHO) says “by taking the steps to implement WHO’s new guidance, healthcare planners can improve early diagnosis of cancer and ensure prompt treatment, especially for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. This will result in more people surviving cancer. It will also be less expensive to treat and cure cancer patients.”

Here are some effective interventions 

Tobacco use directly contributes to 22% of global cancer deaths, therefore strict anti-tobacco polices should be implemented in countries. In Nigeria, while there is the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) of 2015, organisations like the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) have accused the federal government of paying lip service to the act.

They have asked that tobacco companies currently flouting the Nigerian anti-tobacco law be brought to book and that the federal government immediately imposes a minimum of 150 percent levies on all tobacco products with the objective of reducing consumption of the product and in turn, reducing tobacco induced cancer deaths.

WHO recommends vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV)and against hepatitis B virus, these are very cost effective interventions for cervical and liver cancer prevention respectively.

Encouraging physical activity, discouraging the use of harmful alcohol and reducing exposure to carcinogens need to be prioritised.

And because not all cancers are preventable, here are the three WHO recommended strategy for early detection
An improvement of public awareness of different cancer symptoms should be pursued with a follow up of encouraging quick treatment.

Strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics. For Nigeria, this will also mean purchasing more radiotherapy machines.

Ensuring people living with cancer can access safe, affordable and effective treatment including pain relief, without incurring prohibitive personal or financial hardship.