Cancer Awareness: Why Early Screenings and Treatments Matter More Than Ever!

Risk factors for Cancer

Understanding the risk factors associated with cancer growth in people is significant in both prevention and early diagnosis. There are some risk factors that are certain, such as age, genetics, and gender, while there are some other risk factors that can be modified through lifestyle changes. 

Identifying the risk factors helps people to make more informed decisions about their health and take preventive measures that can remarkably reduce the chance of developing cancer.

Here are some common risk factors that may include:

Age and Gender:

One of the major risk factors for developing cancer in people is considered to be age and gender. Once people start to age, the risk of developing cancer also increases. There are cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer, that are common in women. However, prostate cancer is common in men.

History of cancer and genetics:

Patients often inherit cancer from their family, or gene mutations significantly increase the risk of cancer. The history of cancer disease in the family plays a crucial role in developing cancer risk in people. For example, breast, ovarian, and colon cancer. 

Excessive smoking:

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer in patients. Smoking and the use of tobacco are linked to many cancers, including lung, oral, bladder, and throat cancer. Many studies suggest that even passive smoking also increases the risk of developing cancer in people. Smoking and tobacco-related cancer are responsible for a large number of cancer deaths across the world. 

Unbalanced diet and physical inactivity:

A proper diet and healthy lifestyle play a significant role in cancer prevention. If you follow a poor and unbalanced diet with processed foods, using red meats and excessive fats will eventually lead to the risk of forming cancer, such as colon, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. Additionally, a lack of physical activity and obesity might also increase the risk of various cancers, such as breast and endometrial cancer.

Exposure to chemicals and carcinogens:

Exposure to chemicals, environmental carcinogens, and radiation are significantly considered as major risk factors for cancer. Chemical substances such as pesticides, asbestos, and industrial chemicals have been associated with cancers like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and leukemia in people.

Infections:

Certain viral and bacterial infections might increase the chance of developing cancer. One of the major infections that leads to cancer disease is HPV infection, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer. Meanwhile, hepatitis B and C are connected to the cause of liver cancer. The chronic infection of H.pylori bacteria might also increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Hormonal changes:

Hormonal changes also play a huge role in the development of some cases, especially cancer such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer.

Alcohol consumption:

Excessive alcohol consumption also leads to several cancers, such as liver, breast, oral, and esophageal cancer.

Importance of Early detection in Cancer treatment

Early detection of cancer is a major turning point in improving survival rates of your cancer, success of treatments and overall quality of life. When cancer is diagnosed early, the chance of recovery is also increased, further leading to better outcomes and lower rates.

Here’s why early diagnosis and detection is important:

Increased recovery rate:

Detecting the early-stage cancers are comparatively easier to treat with less aggressive treatments and therapies, further leads to higher success rates and recoveries from cancer. There are some cancers like breast, cervical, and colorectal, that increase the chances of recovery by early diagnosis and treatment.

Improved survival rate:

Early diagnosis helps with improved prognosis; for example, early diagnosis of the early stage of breast cancer has a 99% five-year survival rate. 

Lower treatment costs:

Diagnosing cancer in the early stages helps with reducing the need of expensive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, which also results in lower treatment cost to the patient and their family.

Improving the quality of life:

Early detection of cancer associates with less invasive treatments in patients and less side effects and speedy recovery in patients. 

Empowerment in patients:

Regular screenings and physical examinations encourage early diagnosis because this makes patients get better in terms of improving their quality of life. Regular monitoring of patients with breast cancer and skin examination might improve treatment effectiveness in patients.

Consult Today

World Cancer Day 2025 highlights the significance of cancer awareness, along with the need for worldwide cooperation of countries and global efforts needed to reduce the impact of cancer on people. With increased awareness, early diagnosis of cancer, and proper treatments and care, cancer can be cured in people more effectively, which leads to increased survival rates and improved quality of life.

If you or any loved ones are diagnosed with cancer or need any specialist consultation for guidance in your cancer treatment journey, then visit Oncare Cancer Center’s website and book an appointment today.