World Cancer Day: What is cancer, what are the signs and can we prevent it?

Every year, about 360,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer, says Macmillan Cancer Charity.

The number of diagnosed cancer cases is expected to increase by 2% between 2014 and 2035, according to Cancer Research UK.

According to the organization, this increase is due to the increase in life expectancy, two-thirds of those with more than 65 years of age.

On 4 February, World Cancer Day will raise awareness of cancer and encourage people around the world to look for signs and take preventive action.

This year marks the beginning of a new three-year campaign titled "I Am and I Want It", which calls for people to personally engage in the fight against cancer.

What is cancer?

Our body is made up of millions of cells. Cancer Research UK indicates that changes occur in a cell or in a small group of cells, which can lead to the development of cancer.

When gene changes occur in the body, cells can grow and multiply rapidly, becoming cancerous.

This can then lead to the growth of a tumor.

When cells become cancerous in one area of ​​the body, they can sometimes spread to other body tissues.

There are more than 200 types of cancer, the most common forms being bad, prostate, lung and intestinal cancers.

What is the risk of cancer for life?

The lifetime risk of cancer is to determine whether it is likely that a person will be diagnosed with cancer in the course of his life.

The estimated cancer risk for men in their lifetime is one in two, or 50%, according to Cancer Research UK.

The lifetime risk is estimated for women at one in two, or 45%.

This means that in the UK, one in two people is likely to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.

However, a wide range of genetic and lifestyle factors mean that the risk to each person is different.

Why is age a major risk factor?

Cancer can develop at any age. However, the majority of cases – nine out of ten – occur in people aged 50 and over.

Over time, the cells of our body can be damaged.

This can happen for a number of reasons, such as prolonged exposure to the sun or smoking.

These cell damage can accumulate over the years, causing them to grow and multiply at a faster rate than usual, increasing the risk of cancer.

Can lifestyle affect the risk of developing cancer?

It is believed that the consumption of certain foods can increase your chances of suffering from cancer later in life.

The NHS explains that reducing your consumption of red meat can in turn reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.

Obesity has also been badociated with an increased risk of cancer. A recent study has shown that the number of cancers badociated with obesity increases more rapidly in young adults than in people over 45 years of age.

People who use tanning beds or irresponsibly sunbathe may develop skin cancer.

According to the NHS, the UV rays emitted by the tanning beds can be much more powerful than the sun during the hottest hours of the day.

What are the treatments available for cancer?

Cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biologic therapies, bisphosphonates, and bone marrow and stem cell transplants.

What are the signs of cancer in men and women?

Signs of cancer may include unusual bumps or swelling anywhere on the body, changes in the appearance of the mole, ulcers more than three weeks old, persistent cough or a Croatian voice more than three weeks, blood in the urine or stool, unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats.

Signs of bad cancer or cervical cancer include unusual bad changes, bleeding from the bad after menopause or between periods and persistent bloating.

According to a recent study by Bupa and HCA Healthcare UK, one in four women in the UK does not check their bads for signs of bad cancer.

Can we prevent cancer?

Experts estimate that more than four out of ten cases of cancer could be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes.

Do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, reduce alcohol, adopt a healthy and balanced diet, stay active, avoid certain infections (such as HPV), avoid radiation and stay safe in the sun.

Self-examination can detect bad cancer at an early stage, and smears can detect abnormal cells that can lead to cervical cancer.