February 4th of every year is World Cancer Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of cancer. In the past, hearing the word "cancer" often meant death was not far off. However, medical advancements today are significant, allowing many cancers to be cured completely. While not every case is curable yet—such as certain instances of breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer—detection at Stages 0 to 2 often leads to a full recovery. Even for Stage 3 or 4 patients, who previously had short life expectancies, modern treatments like surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or cell therapy have greatly extended lives. For instance, Stage 4 lung cancer patients on targeted therapy have been known to maintain health nearly indistinguishable from normal for over five years. Furthermore, new high-efficiency treatments now destroy cancer cells with significantly fewer side effects.
Despite these advancements, prevention is always better than cure, though avoiding cancer entirely is difficult. We must understand the risk factors, which are divided into two groups. The first group includes non-modifiable factors such as genetics (history of cancer in direct relatives like parents or siblings), gender, age, and ethnicity. The second group consists of modifiable factors, which account for 30–50% of cancer cases—a very high percentage. Therefore, priority must be given to quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, as these substances are unnecessary for life and directly introduce carcinogens into the body.
Another crucial point is maintaining a healthy body weight, as obesity increases the risk of various cancers. Everyone should have basic knowledge of which foods to eat in abundance, which to eat in moderation, and which to avoid entirely. Diet plays a major role; for example, one must avoid foods contaminated with aflatoxin or those that are burnt/charred. Additionally, avoiding excessive sunlight reduces the risk of skin cancer. Another preventable factor is infection control through vaccination. Hepatitis B vaccines prevent liver cancer, while HPV vaccines prevent cervical, anal, and oral cancers. When you reach the appropriate age for these vaccines or boosters, you must receive them as scheduled.
However, even with a healthy lifestyle, we cannot be complacent. Cancer can occur despite our best efforts. Therefore, detecting the disease early and seeking immediate treatment is the heart of successful recovery. When you reach the appropriate age, you must undergo cancer screening. Do not make excuses like being busy or unready. More concerning is those who refuse screenings—refusing X-rays or endoscopies—out of fear of finding the disease.
In reality, detecting cancer early allows for simpler treatments, often limited to just removing the tumor. Once a lump is felt or symptoms appear, treatment usually requires a complex "full-set" combination of surgery, radiation, and medication, which comes with significant side effects. While cancer sounds terrifying, modern medicine turns that fear into hope. By reducing risks through behavior—quitting alcohol and smoking, controlling weight, and getting vaccinated—alongside regular age-appropriate screenings, we can effectively protect ourselves and increase the chances of a cure.
