Why are more and more elderly people suffering from cancer? Because they are old...

With the improvement of living conditions and medical standards around the world, the average life expectancy of human beings has been significantly extended. Since the founding of the People's Republic of my country, the average life expectancy of Chinese people has increased from 35 to 77 years old. However, the extension of life expectancy has also brought new challenges. A disease is impacting human health. Its name is "cancer".
Cancer is not a single disease, but a general term for a large class of diseases caused by abnormal cell growth. Under normal circumstances, the growth of human cells is strictly regulated, but when some cells lose control and proliferate abnormally, tumors are formed. Malignant tumors can invade adjacent tissues and metastasize to other parts, making them more dangerous. These tumors are also called "cancers." Cancer occurs mainly due to gene mutations. As we age, gene mutations continue to accumulate and the risk of cancer increases, which is why most cancers are called "senior diseases."

In 2022, there will be nearly 20 million new cancer cases and about 9.7 million cancer deaths worldwide. It is estimated that about one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Data show that lung cancer is the most common cancer, accounting for one eighth of all new cancers, followed by breast cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of new cancer cases will reach 35 million, and cancer prevention and control has become a top priority for global health.

April 17 is World Cancer Day, and April 15 to 21 is the National Cancer Prevention and Treatment Publicity Week, which is the oldest, largest and most influential cancer science publicity activity in China. Correctly understanding cancer and understanding the means of prevention and treatment can help us scientifically prevent the occurrence of cancer, avoid being afraid of the word "cancer" and avoid taking chances.

Most cancers are the result of the accumulation of genetic damage and changes under the long-term effects of external carcinogenic factors, which usually takes a dozen to several dozen years. Common external carcinogenic factors include environmental pollution, tobacco, alcohol, radiation, obesity, pathogen infection and chronic inflammation.

When cigarettes burn, they produce thousands of chemicals, many of which are carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is also harmful. So, for the sake of your own and others' health, quit smoking! However, in addition to tobacco, air pollution and kitchen fumes are also important causes of lung cancer. In recent years, air pollution and haze weather have occurred frequently, posing a hidden danger to our respiratory health.

Many female lung cancer patients do not smoke, so what is the problem? It turns out that long-term exposure to kitchen fumes is also a risk factor! Turn on the range hood before cooking, and turn it on for a while after cooking to ensure that the kitchen fumes are completely exhausted, which can effectively reduce the risk.

In addition to lung cancer, the incidence of digestive tract cancer is also rising. Bad eating habits and Helicobacter pylori infection are important reasons. Regular gastrointestinal endoscopy can detect digestive tract lesions at an early stage. It is recommended that people over 40 years old have an examination once a year for early detection and early treatment. Hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are the main culprits of liver cancer and cervical cancer. Timely vaccination can effectively prevent these viral infections. Alcohol is a clear carcinogen and is closely related to the occurrence of many cancers. The more you drink, the greater the risk. Not drinking at all is the best choice for health. Obesity is also a risk factor that cannot be ignored. Obesity causes nearly 20% of new cancer cases and 16% of cancer deaths. Although you don't have to pursue a perfect body, if you are overweight, please adjust your lifestyle in time to maintain a healthy weight.

Many times, we think that cancer is very harmful and fatal because it is already in the late stage when it is discovered, which leads to limited treatment effects and patients also bear a greater treatment burden and risk of death. From an individual level, we should try to avoid cancer risk factors, conduct regular cancer screening, "early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment", and effectively reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer.

Different cancers have different screening methods. For example, low-dose spiral CT is an effective means of early detection of lung cancer, mammography helps to screen breast cancer, and colorectal cancer can be screened by colonoscopy. Regular physical examinations and targeted screenings as prescribed by doctors can greatly increase the chances of early detection.

With the development of science, cancer treatment methods are also changing with each passing day. From the initial surgical resection to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and then to targeted drugs and immunotherapy, treatment methods are constantly upgraded.

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while chemotherapy is a "fighting poison with poison" approach, which improves the efficiency of eliminating cancer cells. Targeted drugs can achieve precise attacks by locating specific mutations in cancer cells. Immunotherapy eliminates tumor cells by activating the body's own immune system.

However, no treatment is perfect, and the specific treatment method needs to be determined based on the type, location, malignancy, progression of cancer, and individual differences of the patient. Precision medicine and personalized treatment are the future development trends.

At present, the level of cancer treatment in China has improved significantly. Doctors and patients now have more confidence and more choices in dealing with what were once “incurable diseases”. Many cancers are gradually turning into chronic diseases. Through individualized, low-side-effect treatments, the development of cancer cells can be controlled, the quality of life of patients can be improved, and coexistence with cancer can be achieved.

For most people, we can prevent some cancers by developing good living habits, regular physical examinations and vaccinations. Instead of being afraid of "cancer", it is better to take care of your body and protect your personal health every day!

This article is a work supported by the Science Popularization China Creation Cultivation Program

Author: Dongdongmiao Popular Science

Reviewer: Liu Yao, Chief Physician of the Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University

Produced by: China Association for Science and Technology Department of Science Popularization

Producer: China Science and Technology Press Co., Ltd., Beijing Zhongke Xinghe Culture Media Co., Ltd.