Cancer encompasses more than a hundred different diseases that can affect any part of the body.
The BCUZ highlighted several key facts about cancer:
- Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
- The highest number of fatalities is associated with lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers.
- The types of cancer most common among men and women differ.
- About 30% of cancer mortality cases are due to five main lifestyle and dietary risk factors, including high body mass index, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, as well as tobacco and alcohol consumption.
- Tobacco is the most serious risk factor, accounting for 22% of all cancer deaths and 71% of lung cancer deaths.
- According to projections, by 2030, the number of cancer deaths will rise to 13.1 million.
The primary sign of cancer is the abnormal rapid division of cells, which can spread to other organs—a process known as metastasis. Metastases are one of the main causes of death among patients.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms may be absent; however, there are signs that should raise concern and prompt a visit to a doctor:
- The first sign is unexplained weight loss of 4-5 kg or more;
- The second is a high fever and chills, often occurring with metastasis;
- The third is increased fatigue; tiredness can be an early sign of tumor growth, especially in leukemia;
- The fourth is skin changes. The skin may darken, yellow, or redden; itching and abnormal hair growth may also occur;
- The fifth is pain, which may indicate early stages of certain tumors, such as bone or testicular tumors, but more often indicates metastases.
In addition to these general signs, attention should be paid to symptoms such as bowel or bladder problems, non-healing wounds, white patches in the mouth, unusual bleeding, lumps in the breast or other parts of the body, indigestion, and difficulty swallowing, changes in warts and moles, as well as a persistent cough or hoarseness. However, these symptoms may also indicate other diseases, so if cancer is suspected, it is important to consult a therapist for a referral to an oncologist.
BCUZ specialists emphasize that timely medical examination is key to the early detection of oncological diseases.
