Do You Know Which Is The Most Common Cancer As Per WHO?
As per a recent report from the World Health Organisation on 2nd February 2021, lung cancer has ceased to be the most common form of cancer around the world. Instead, another form of cancer has taken its place. Breast cancer has now become the most common type of the disease, as it marks approximately 12% of new cases every year globally.
Andre Ilbawi, a cancer specialist at the WHO informed U.N. briefing before the World Cancer Day on Thursday. “For the first time, breast cancer now constitutes the most commonly occurring cancer globally”.
For the last twenty years, lung cancer has constantly been the most common type of cancer, but it has now been pushed back to the second place, but it is still ahead of colorectal cancer, which constitutes as the third most common cancer, said Ilbawi in his statement.
As per the statement by WHO, an approximate of 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2019, which constitutes for a total of 11.7% of all the cancer cases. “Among women, breast cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide,” the statement said.
Andre Ilbawi also said that obesity in women could prove to be a prevalent risk factor in breast cancer, and could also be the cause of the increase in the overall cancer numbers.
With the increase in global population along with the increase in life expectancy, cancer is also expected to become an even more common disease, with an approximate of about 30 million new cases every year in 2040 from 19.3 million in 2020, as per Ilbawi.
WHO also warned people against risk factors of cancer and announced that almost one-third of deaths from cancer is because of tobacco and alcohol use, increasing obesity in people, the increased intake of processed food and reduced physical activity.
Along with the existing risk factors regarding cancer, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has also been a reason for the disruption of cancer treatment in almost half the countries that WHO surveyed, Ilbawi said. He further pointed towards the delays in diagnosis, extreme stress on the healthcare workers and research work being impacted.
What exactly is breast cancer?
Cancer of any type develops when some sort of mutation takes place in the genes that are responsible for cell growth. This mutation leads to the cells being multiplied in an uncontrolled way.
Breast cancer, as implied by the name, develops mainly in the breast cells. Cancer cells in this specific case develop mainly in either the ducts or the lobules of the breast. It may also develop in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast.
Symptoms to Look Out For
- Breast pain
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
- Peeling or scaling of the skin on the nipple or breast
- The appearance of a lump under the arm
- Visible swelling in the breast
- Inverted nipple
- Red, pitted skin over the entire breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
These are some of the most common symptoms or signs of breast cancer. One thing that is common in all of these symptoms is that they can be easily detected by the individual themselves. Hence, women should take notice of any such signs or symptoms that they experience and should consult a proper doctor as soon as they can. Cancer is a very serious issue and any signs regarding it should not be taken lightly especially since even a little bit of time and action can make a huge impact and any decision may end up as a life or death decision.