Cancer is a fairly common disease in the modern world that appears because of the bad habits of people and environmental factors. Sometimes cancer occurs due to genetic or other reasons unrelated to a person’s lifestyle; however, most often, men and women themselves increase the risk of developing this disease (Plutinski 121). This disease can be treated by chemotherapy, surgery, or other methods, and can also be prevented in the early stages of development. Consequently, this essay analyzes the benefits of cancer prevention and the timely diagnosis for preserving people’s health and life by using lung and breast cancer as examples.
Cancer is a disease that can be prevented and treated in the early stages of its development. This disease means that some cells in the body begin to divide uncontrollably, thereby affecting healthy tissues and organs and disrupting their functions (Plutinski 2). In the later stages, cancer cells multiply quickly enough and can form metastases, or harmful cells that are transferred through the circulatory system to other organs and parts of the body (Plutinski 2).
Cancer is quite difficult to recognize, but there are symptoms by which one can determine the development of the disease. Breast cancer can be detected visually if the size or the color of the breasts changes, or a lump appears (Koo et al. 4). These changes can be recognized by conducting a self-examination and, if any changes are detected, a person has to visit a mammologist. The characteristic symptoms of lung cancer are chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing (Koo et al. 4). If any of these signs are found, it is necessary to consult with a doctor and take tests, since, in the early stages, the cancer is easier to treat.
Moreover, there are several recommendations for the prevention of both types of cancers. It is necessary to stop drink alcohol, smoke, eat junk food, and work or live in places with a polluted atmosphere, ionizing, or radiation (Plutinski 220). Exercises that develop immunity and strengthen all body systems also reduce the risk of disease. In the case of lung cancer, it is also necessary to avoid infectious diseases and prevent the development of chronic lung diseases (Plutinski 33).
Although breast cancer is less susceptible to external influences, there are several recommendations for its prevention. This type of disease is more susceptible to women who did not give birth to children as breast tissue changes during pregnancy (Plutinski 26).
Thus, for some women, pregnancy can be not only happiness of maternity but also a measure for the prevention of cancer. Besides, according to Mitra and Dash, consumption of natural products such as herbs, certain types of vegetables, and fruits significantly reduces the risk of tumors as 50 percent of medications are made from natural components (1). Thus, a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
In conclusion, cancer is a disease that arises due to genetic and environmental factors affecting the body. Often the causes of this disease are the unhealthy lifestyle, and the lethal outcome is the result of its late detection. In addition, people often do not pay attention to symptoms or delay hospital visits due to work or other reasons. However, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle reduce the risk of developing tumors and their growth. Besides, even if cancer hits the body because of a genetic predisposition, timely screening, and diagnosis help to cope with the disease without serious health consequences.
Works Cited
Koo, Minjoung Monica, et al. “Presenting Symptoms of Cancer and Stage at Diagnosis: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study.” The Lancet Oncology, 2019, pp. 1–7. Web.
Mitra, Sarmistha, and Raju Dash. “Natural Products for the Management and Prevention of Breast Cancer.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2018, 2018, pp. 1–23. Web.
Plutynski, Anya. Explaining Cancer: Finding Order in Disorder. Oxford University Press, 2018.