Cancer Demographics
Many people acknowledge that the health systems have improved since the 1950s, thanks to technological advancements. However, the development in technology has been dragged behind by the chronic lifestyle conditions that have resulted from the same technology. Today, cancer is increasingly a global health issue. According to World Health Organization (WHO) annual report, cancer cases in 2012 were around 14 million and over 8 million ended in death while in 2013 the number rose to over 20 million cases which resulted in 14 million deaths ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . While other infectious diseases decrease, cancer and other lifestyle conditions like arthritis, obesity, and hypertension are becoming more pressing health issues.
Approximately 13% of all the deaths are due to cancer ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . WHO indicates that 58 million people die annually, which implies that over 7.5 million deaths are due to cancer. Despite the low burden of cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 70% of cancer deaths occur in these nations due to lack of early screening, proper facilities, and adequate palliative care. Most deaths are people under 60 years. In fact, “cancer kills more people in LMICs than malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis combined” ( Stewart & Wild, 2017). According to health research facilities, cancer statistics are going to receive major demographic changes in near future if something is not done urgently to address the situation. Currently, over 40% of cancers are preventable while 33% are curable yet they still cause deaths.
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According to the medical definition, "Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. Leading to a state that is hard to control or eradicate” ( Stewart & Wild, 2017). To address cancer problem, experts are focusing on mortality based on different body organs and tissues commonly affected by cancer. Currently, lung cancer causes most number of deaths which is attributed to tobacco use. Other cancers associated with high rates of mortality are cervical and breast cancer in women, colon, and liver cancer ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 25% of cancer deaths are due to cervical cancer.
Measures undertaken to address Cancer Problem
The first step in addressing the problem of cancer is accepting that cancer is a major health concern which requires national governments to take major steps in addressing it. Some cancers, especially in LMICs are caused by infectious agents which are either physical carcinogens like radiations, chemical carcinogens like tobacco, or biological carcinogens such as viruses and bacteria ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . These external agents identifiable and preventable. Some health organizations like WHO and CDC that are interested in helping reduce the burden of cancer in LMICs are faced by challenges of poor infrastructure, lack of proper health facilities or medical practitioners, and the shortage of supplies. However, cancer is associated with stigma, chemotherapeutic agents with serious side effects, and the high cost of medication prompting various stakeholders to label it as a global health issue. Among chronic diseases, cancer has the most devastating social and economic impact of any disease in the world ( Stewart & Wild, 2017) .
Currently, healthcare providers are pursuing prevention strategies. Some of these strategies include avoiding external agents with the potential of causing or increasing the risk of getting cancers (carcinogens). Controlling occupational hazards such as air pollution and radiations such as ultraviolet that have the potential of causing cancer. Vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B viruses that are estimated of causing over a million deaths per year ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . Most cancers have been shown to be manageable at early stages using medication. Therefore, early detection has been a primary agenda for most medical practitioners. Today, most nations organize free screening programs by targeting market and heavily populated areas and encouraging people to go for the screening.
According to most scholars, “When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment which increases chances of surviving thus reducing morbidity and mortality associated with more invasive management strategies” ( Vineis & Wild, 2014). Therefore, some days like World Cancer Day celebrated every year on 4 th February is supported by health institutions like WHO which organize cancer screening programs in various parts of the world. With screening, cancers can be detected as early as possible even before they develop symptoms which are the stages where the malignant tumor cells are vulnerable to chemotherapeutic agents ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . For instance, some nations have free mammography screening for breast cancer to address the high incidence of breast cancer, especially in women during the productive age.
Other than treatment, some cancers in the late stage are managed symptomatically. Palliative care helps to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life which helps patients to live more comfortably, something needed by these patients ( Abrahm, 2014) . For instance, WHO recommends oral morphine as a mandatory agent in any cancer regimen geared towards relieving pain that is common in the terminal phase of any form of cancer.
Suggestions for Managing Cancers and their Significance (Positives and Negatives)
Apparently, most health institutions are following the right path towards reducing the burden of cancer to the modern society. The society at large should be involved in preventing what is preventable when it comes to cancer. For instance, lung cancer due to smoking claims over 1.5 million lives every year ( Stewart & Wild, 2017) . People should be educated on the dangers of both active and passive smoking and those addicted should be put in rehabilitation programs as early as possible. Other than reducing the burden of lung cancer, such an action reduces the medical cost of other tobacco-related diseases and unnecessary costs of tobacco.
Cervical cancer is becoming a more common cause of cancer among women yet it can easily be cured through early detection, diagnosis, and proper treatment ( Vineis & Wild, 2014) . Therefore, society should be educated on the importance of screening which they should make it as a routine check-up at most after three months. However, such comprehensive care is quite expensive for LMICs. Governments should aim at improving palliative care for patients with cancer in terminal stages ( Abrahm, 2014) . Such an act helps in relieving pain and improving quality of life. However, agents like morphine are associated with dependence and potential of abuse.
References
Abrahm, J. L. (2014). A physician's guide to pain and symptom management in cancer patients . JHU Press.
Stewart, B. W. K. P., & Wild, C. P. (2017). World cancer report 2014. Health . Retrieved from http://publichealthwell.ie/node/725845
Vineis, P., & Wild, C. P. (2014). Global cancer patterns: causes and prevention. The Lancet , 383 (9916), 549-557. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673613622242
