Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases in the world and in our country. Although cancer is the second leading cause of death, it is a treatable disease. Roughly speaking, one in every three people will encounter cancer at some point in their lives, but approximately one in eight people will die due to cancer. In other words, since not every cancer results in death, the frequency of death from cancer does not reflect the incidence of cancer. The incidence of cancer in developed countries is around 400 per hundred thousand. In our country, this rate is estimated to be around 200 per hundred thousand. This means approximately 150 thousand new cancer patients every year.
The average human lifespan is increasing in our country as well as all over the world. As the average life expectancy increases, the causes of people's deaths also change. If we exclude accidents and wars, infectious diseases, which are the leading cause of death in underdeveloped countries, fall to the back row in developed and developing countries, and are replaced by cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
Cancer. What is it?
Normally, most of the cells in the body of living things divide and multiply due to their functions, and when their lifespan is completed, they die and are replaced by new cells. This order is under the command and management of genes located on chromosomes in the nuclei of cells. If cells are directed with incorrect commands, deviations from normal functions disrupt the healthy life and cause many diseases, including cancer. The cells of cancerous tissue multiply uncontrollably, stop doing their job and spread throughout the body. For this reason, a large group of studies in recent years investigating the onset of cancer have focused on the internal structure and functioning of the cell. According to the results of these studies, disruption of the harmony between cancer "initiators" and "suppressors" is possible in the transformation of the cell into a cancer cell. Initiators are oncogenes (cancer-causing genes), cell immortality genes and cell growth factors that are essentially present in the cell but are repressed. Those that suppress the cell's transformation into cancer cells suppressor genes (tumor suppressor genes), apoptosis genes (genes that regulate planned cell death) and suppressors of cell growth factors. Regardless of the initiating factor, cancer cells that differ significantly from normal cells are formed. Cancer cells, which are less specialized than normal cells, have immortality, uncontrolled, unlimited proliferation and the ability to escape from natural immune possibilities, cannot initially fit into the tissue they are in and form a mass (tumor). After a while, a group of cells reach the blood and lymph vessels and travel to other tissues of the body, where they multiply and form new cells. They form masses (metastasize). While these studies are being carried out, the discovery of oncogenes that play a role in the last stage of cell development is a very advanced step in understanding cancer biology, and what needs to be explained now is whether oncogenes are essential for the initiation or continuation of the cell shape change period in human cancer. While studies to prove it continue, the place of oncogenes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is also being evaluated.
Cancer Protection
The cause or reasons of the wrong course that creates transformation into cancer cells are not known for certain. For this purpose, studies are directed to various possibilities based on observations, and high-risk factors that are observed to increase the risk of cancer are evaluated. Among these factors that are thought to carry a risk for cancer formation, those whose connection with cancer has been observed in humans and laboratory studies can be accepted, but those whose connection with cancer has not been proven are doubtful risk factors. However, these observations, research and opinions do not mean that those with high risk will definitely get cancer or those with low risk will not get cancer.
It is not possible to be protected because personal risk factors originating from the structure and functioning of cells cannot be controlled. The leading personal factors are age, time and family. Age and time can never be controlled and therefore protected. However, some precautions can be taken against familial risk factors. A list is made, starting from grandparents, including mother, father, siblings, uncles, aunts, and first-generation cousins, e� If one of them has cancer, it is recorded together with its type. If more than two cancers occur, a specialist in this field should be consulted.
There are ample opportunities to control environmental risk factors originating from the environment, and therefore it is possible to be protected. Because there are facts showing that up to 80% of all cancers are related to lifestyle and environmental risk factors. Among this group of factors, in addition to the risks brought by the environment, the leading ones are foods and diet, some other habits, especially smoking, and exposure to radiation. Apart from these, the balance of hormones should not be disturbed by external interventions unless absolutely necessary. The connection between birth control pills and some cancers in women is frequently brought up. It is beneficial for those who use this group of pills to have regular breast checks and Pap tests. If there is an absolute need to use the pills, the doctor should adjust the doses. In addition, ultraviolet rays of the sun, some chemicals especially associated with workplaces, and even viruses thought to play a role in some cancers should be taken into consideration.
Nutrition and Cancer
Eyes and research. According to numerical evaluations, unbalanced nutrition accounts for 35% of the possible causes of cancer, and if some life habits are added to unbalanced nutrition, this rate increases to 85%. Preliminary evidence indicates that dietary antioxidants, phytochemicals in plants, and some fatty acids such as omega-3 may play a role in reducing the risk of developing cancer. However, the results are not yet sufficient for definitive evaluation, new ones are frequently detected and learned.
Antioxidants:; They are substances that suppress oxidation events. It is assumed that they protect the body against substances that emerge after normal biochemical events in humans, circulate freely in the blood, attack healthy cells, and force tumor development by changing their DNA structure. However, research continues as their role in reducing the risk of cancer is not yet clear.
Phytochemicals:; They are some chemical compounds found in the structure of plants and protect plants against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Also antioxidant It is reported that it may have nutritional protective and inhibitory effects against carcinogenic agents. Carotenoids in dark yellow, orange and completely green fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, parsley, oranges and grapefruits; Indoles in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and turnips; flavonoids in wine, green tea, fruits and vegetables such as onions, apples, kale, beans; biflavonoids in lemon and citrus fruits; allicin in onions and garlic; lutein in green leafy vegetables; isoflavones in soybeans; anthocyanins in blue and red fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries and raspberries; Phenolics in olives, lemongrass, cereals and legumes and lycopene in tomatoes are the ones on the agenda. Foods high in phytochemicals include broccoli, berries, soybeans, pears, turnips, celery, carrots, spinach, olives, tomatoes, lentils, cantaloupe, garlic, apricots, onions, soybeans, green tea, peaches, pumpkins, lettuce, Brussels sprouts. and red wine.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These acids, which are not produced in the body, are fatty acids obtained from foods or supplements. It is reported that these acids, found in seafood, especially hot water products, linseed oil and beans, may play a role in preventing the risk and development of breast and prostate cancers.
In addition to the importance of returning to nature in nutrition, the selection and preparation of foods is also important. Especially fiber foods of plant origin are superior to animal foods that do not contain them. Fibers keep the digested food in the intestines for a long time with the mass they form, and among the many biological benefits they provide, they also reduce the breakdown of cancer-causing substances. Another important issue in eating habits is unhealthy cooking at high temperatures. Cancer-causing substances are formed due to the effect of fire on fried or burnt meat or fish. Meats that have been smoked or smoked with nitrites can also be carcinogenic. However, these carcinogens may not be harmful in small amounts, especially when eaten with plants and fruits containing cancer protectors. In fact, it is better to use methods such as low-temperature steaming, cooking in a pot, boiling eggs in water, boiling on slow heat or microwaving. Of course, it is not always easy to change the lifestyle, but in cancer Some things can be taken into consideration for the purpose of protection. If the person is obese, excess weight can be lost, low-fat, low-calorie foods can be eaten, the amount of fiber foods can be increased, and vitamins can be taken normally. However, if a heavy meal is eaten for any reason, this should not be a problem, but it should not be made a habit. It should not be forgotten that a well-adjusted, appropriately selected and consistent diet reduces the risk of cancer. For example, considering the burgers that young people and children often prefer, even the lightest burger contains 70% fat, and the chance to eat bread made with unrefined flour is lost. In addition, burnt coal-tar-like substances form on the outside of burgers cooked on the grill, carrying a carcinogenic risk.
Early Diagnosis of Cancer
Absolute protection from cancer. Since this is not the case and there is no vaccine yet to prevent all cancers, early diagnosis of cancer remains perhaps the most important weapon we have. In order to clarify the concept of early diagnosis, it is necessary to know the stages of cancer well. Although each type of cancer has different characteristics, the course of cancer is generally divided into four classical stages:
Stage I: The cancer is limited to where it started and has not spread to the surrounding environment;
Stage II: The cancer moves from the environment where it starts to the tissues around it and where it emerges. It has advanced towards the lymphatic pathways of the region;
Stage III: The cancer has completely spread to the regional tissues and lymph nodes;
Stage IV: The cancer has reached other tissues and organs through blood and lymph, and a phenomenon called metastasis has developed.
Complete cure can be achieved in cancers diagnosed at the first stage. As the stages progress, success rates in treatment decrease.
Early diagnosis of cancer increases the chance of cure and facilitates treatment, prevents tissue and organ loss, and reduces treatment costs and death rates. Early diagnosis literally saves lives in many cancers that are common today. Health check-ups at regular intervals for early diagnosis are necessary not only for cancer, but also for general health.
Special danger signs for cancer accepted by all countries, in other words, the seven harbingers of cancer:
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