Photographs: Wikimedia Commons
We present a few questions below -- see if you can pick the right options and educate yourself in the bargain.
1. Do you know how many people in India are presently suffering from cancer?
a. 15,00,000
b. 22,00,000
c. 28,00,000
The correct answer is c. There are 28 lakh cancer patients in the country according to the Population Based Cancer Registry functioning under the National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Also, the number of Indian cancer patients is growing over the years at an average of approximately 1.2 per cent per year.
Also, the number of Indian cancer patients is growing over the years at an average of approximately 1.2 per cent per year.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
2. Which is the most common form of cancer prevalent in India?
a. Breast cancer
b. Lung cancer
c. Stomach cancer
The correct answer is b. The most prevalent form of cancer in India is lung cancer, mainly due to an increase in tobacco consumption.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
3. Is cancer genetic?
a. Always
b. Yes it can be, but that's usually not the case
c. No
The correct answer is b. Many forms of cancer run in families and are caused by certain genetic mutations.
However, only an estimated 5 to 10 percent of cancer patients who are genetically predisposed to the disease -- environmental and external factors play a large role. Cancer cases where there is no genetic predisposition to the disease account for 90-95 percent of cancer cases.
However, only an estimated 5 to 10 percent of cancer patients who are genetically predisposed to the disease -- environmental and external factors play a large role. Cancer cases where there is no genetic predisposition to the disease account for 90-95 percent of cancer cases.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
4. What is the leading cause of cancer in India?
a. Tobacco consumption
b. Pollution
c. Radiation from cellphones
The correct answer is a. According to a study published in the New England Journal Of Medicine, tobacco consumption in India accounts for 20 percent of all male deaths and 5 percent of all female deaths among Indians between the ages of 30 and 69.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
5. Is cancer related to other infectious diseases?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Only to AIDS
The correct answer is b. It may surprise you to know that 18 percent of cancers worldwide are related to infectious diseases. A cancer-causing virus or 'oncovirus' has been found to be one of the leading causes of cancer. For instance, the human papilloma virus is known to cause cervical carcinoma and Hepatitis B and C are known to cause hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
6. Which of the following sets of symptoms can you relate to cancer?
a. Dark stools and urine
b. Darkening of skin, unexplained itches
c. Lumps or sores that don't heal and unexplained weightloss
The correct answer is c. According to the Cancer council of New South Wales, Australia, symptoms to look out for are:
Lumps or sores that don't heal (like an ulcer in your mouth)
Coughs or hoarseness that won't go away
Unexplained weightloss
A mole or skin spot that changes shape, size or colour
Changes in your toilet habits
Lumps or sores that don't heal (like an ulcer in your mouth)
Coughs or hoarseness that won't go away
Unexplained weightloss
A mole or skin spot that changes shape, size or colour
Changes in your toilet habits
Cancer: How much do you really know?
7. Are vitamin supplements beneficial for those suffering from cancer?
c. No, vitamin supplements are all hazardous if you have cancer
The correct answer is a. While there are certain vitamins that help combat cancer, there are others that interfere with the treatment of or actually promote the spread of the disease.
For instance, in a study published online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (December 2010), Vitamin C and E supplements appeared to be associated with reduced risk for mortality and recurrence in breast cancer patients.
On the other hand, a study published in the April 2005 issue of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, researchers found that head and neck cancer patients taking Vitamin E supplements were at greater risk of developing a second primary cancer.
For instance, in a study published online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (December 2010), Vitamin C and E supplements appeared to be associated with reduced risk for mortality and recurrence in breast cancer patients.
On the other hand, a study published in the April 2005 issue of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, researchers found that head and neck cancer patients taking Vitamin E supplements were at greater risk of developing a second primary cancer
Cancer: How much do you really know?
8. Do cellphones give off electromagnetic radiation that can cause cancer?
a. No, cellphones operate using radio waves
b. Yes, cellphones are known to cause brain cancer
c. Yes they do, but the miniscule amount of radiation to which users are exposed is not conclusively known to cause cancer
The correct answer is c. While electromagnetic radiation is known to cause cancer, the minimal amount that cellphone users are exposed to via their handsets has not been conclusively and undeniably linked to cancer. A 2007 study by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) stated that such exposure is "unlikely to lead to an increase in cancer in humans."
Having said that, medical professionals argue that extended usage of a cellphone cannot be entirely ruled out as a cause of cancer. According to the Scientific American, "recent research suggests that although short-term exposure is harmless, longterm cellphone use may be a different story. Three studies since 1999 indicate that people who have used cellphones for more than a decade may have as much as three times greater risk of developing brain tumours on the side of the head against which they most often hold their phone -- an argument for, at the least, shifting ears regularly or, even better, using a earpiece or the speakerphone feature while chatting."
Having said that, medical professionals argue that extended usage of a cellphone cannot be entirely ruled out as a cause of cancer. According to the Scientific American, "recent research suggests that although short-term exposure is harmless, longterm cellphone use may be a different story. Three studies since 1999 indicate that people who have used cellphones for more than a decade may have as much as three times greater risk of developing brain tumours on the side of the head against which they most often hold their phone -- an argument for, at the least, shifting ears regularly or, even better, using a earpiece or the speakerphone feature while chatting."
Cancer: How much do you really know?
9. Can levels of physical activity affect your cancer risk?
a. No
b. Only adversely
c. Yes
The correct answer is c. Being active is good for your overall health and can lower your risk of cancers of the breast, colon, prostate and uterus.
The recommended amount of exercise is 30 minutes a day, five times a week, but anything you can do to get your body moving is good.
The recommended amount of exercise is 30 minutes a day, five times a week, but anything you can do to get your body moving is good.
Cancer: How much do you really know?
10. Can your diet and lifestyle affect your risk of cancer?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Only lifestyle affects your cancer risk, not diet
The correct answer is b. The truth is that your diet has a large impact upon your cancer risk, as does your lifestyle. We all know that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress and other such factors can compromise your health, but what you don't know is that certain foods affect your risk of cancer too.
For instance, the risk of cancer in vegetarians is about 50 percent lower than among people who eat meat on a regular basis. And foods like avocados, carrots and tomatoes contain glutathione, falcarinol and lycopene respectively, all of which have cancer-fighting properties.
For instance, the risk of cancer in vegetarians is about 50 percent lower than among people who eat meat on a regular basis. And foods like avocados, carrots and tomatoes contain glutathione, falcarinol and lycopene respectively, all of which have cancer-fighting properties.
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