If cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery are good in many cases. However, current figures instill fear: a cancer research agency publishes a grim forecast.
- On February 4, 2020, World Cancer Day celebrated its 20th anniversary.
- The focus is on education: Because around 40 percent of all cancer cases should be preventable.
- Around 500,000 people in Germany contract cancer each year.
There is almost no one who knows no cancer patient in the family or among friends. Cancer (medically called carcinoma) can affect all parts of the body. The most well-known types of cancer include breast, prostate or lung cancer. But unknown cancers, such as anal or tongue cancer, can also be fatal. The following applies to all cancers: The earlier they are diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery from treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or antibody therapy, radiation, hormone therapy, etc.
Cancer develops when body cells degenerate and divide uncontrollably. The pathological growth means that healthy tissue dies. Malignant tumors cause cancer cells to spread in the body, doctors speak of metastasis. In the end stage, malignant tumors can mean death.
Up to 37 million cancer patients in 2040
The terrifying thing: More and more people are affected by cancer. In 2018, around 18 million people worldwide were diagnosed with cancer, and 9.6 million died of it. And the prognoses are bad: In 2040, more than twice as many people will contract cancer as the World Health Organization warns . It relies on the International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC. This assumes that 29 to 37 million people will suffer from cancer in 20 years.
Several factors are said to explain the significant increase in cancer in the coming years. These include:
- increasing life expectancy
- wrong diet
- Smoke
- Overweight
In the video: WHO warns that cancer will double by 2040
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40 percent of cancer cases could be avoided by a healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle plays a crucial role, Spiegel magazine quotes Michael Baumann, head of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). In his eyes, around 40 percent of all cancers could be prevented by a healthy lifestyle . This includes not only the extensive absence of cigarettes and alcohol, but also a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and avoiding too many extra pounds. Regular early diagnosis examinations and vaccinations such as HPV vaccination are also very important.
In many rich countries such as Germany, cancer has become one of the most common causes of death after cardiovascular diseases such as a heart attack or stroke. In Germany, around 500,000 people are expected to develop cancer each year.
Sources : www.sueddeutsche.de ; www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de ; www.spiegel.de; www.krebshilfe.de
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