<p>There are approximately 85 lakh deaths attributed to cancer every year, with the most significant burden of disease in developed countries. <br /><br />However, cancer is also on the rise in the developing countries. Efforts to modernise and to decrease poverty levels have led to a catch-22 situation in most of the developing world. Many countries have seen reduced poverty levels and increased industrialisation only to experience changes in environment, lifestyle and diets that are more conducive to cancer. <br /><br />Dr Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital says that change in lifestyle has included reduced activity levels, increase in consumption of fast food and tobacco consumption as smoking is becoming more commonly marketed as an affordable luxury. Development has also brought more environmental and air pollutants. <br /><br />This February 4th marks global efforts to advance cancer research and focus on methods to minimise the global burden of the disease. Today cancer is the fourth commonest cause of death and is expected to be second commonest world over in next few years, adds Dr Reddy. </p>.<p>A person diagnosed with cancer perceives it as virtual death sentence and it is not uncommon to deal with situations where family members request not to disclose about the disease to the patient. Dealing with cancer demands a multi-disciplinary team effort to tackle the socio-psychological and medical condition of patients. <br /><br />“Cancer can be prevented too” is this year’s World Cancer Day story and 40 per cent of cancer related diseases can be prevented through healthy behaviours like - providing a smoke-free environment for children; learning about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers.</p>
<p>There are approximately 85 lakh deaths attributed to cancer every year, with the most significant burden of disease in developed countries. <br /><br />However, cancer is also on the rise in the developing countries. Efforts to modernise and to decrease poverty levels have led to a catch-22 situation in most of the developing world. Many countries have seen reduced poverty levels and increased industrialisation only to experience changes in environment, lifestyle and diets that are more conducive to cancer. <br /><br />Dr Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital says that change in lifestyle has included reduced activity levels, increase in consumption of fast food and tobacco consumption as smoking is becoming more commonly marketed as an affordable luxury. Development has also brought more environmental and air pollutants. <br /><br />This February 4th marks global efforts to advance cancer research and focus on methods to minimise the global burden of the disease. Today cancer is the fourth commonest cause of death and is expected to be second commonest world over in next few years, adds Dr Reddy. </p>.<p>A person diagnosed with cancer perceives it as virtual death sentence and it is not uncommon to deal with situations where family members request not to disclose about the disease to the patient. Dealing with cancer demands a multi-disciplinary team effort to tackle the socio-psychological and medical condition of patients. <br /><br />“Cancer can be prevented too” is this year’s World Cancer Day story and 40 per cent of cancer related diseases can be prevented through healthy behaviours like - providing a smoke-free environment for children; learning about vaccines for virus-related liver and cervical cancers.</p>
