As far as treatment for non-communicable diseases goes, accessing care for cancer is still as expensive anywhere in the world just as the survival rate is still discouraging.

Despite the giant strides that have been made in diagnosing and treating cancer, it is sad to note that the world may yet endure more of the scourge of the various cancers that afflict mankind unless we take decisive steps as individuals to reduce our chances of being a victim.

Recently, the World Health Organisation warned that cancer rates could further increase by 50 per cent to 15 million new cases in the year 2020. This projection is based on the World Cancer Report — the most comprehensive global examination of the disease to date.

The report also reveals that cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, matching its effect in industrialised nations.

The WHO warns, “The predicted sharp increase in new cases — from 10 million new cases globally in 2000, to 15 million in 2020 — will mainly be due to steadily ageing populations in both developed and developing countries and also to current trends in smoking prevalence and the growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyles.”

Despite this foreboding prognosis, though, co-editor of the World Cancer Report who also doubles as the Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Dr. Paul Kleihues, assures that we have the opportunity to stem this increase.

He says, “This report calls on governments, health practitioners and the general public to take urgent action. Action now can prevent one third of cancers, cure another third, and provide good, palliative care to the remaining third who need it.”

So, instead of throwing up our arms in frustration or resigning ourselves to ‘fate,’ those who know better say we could avoid being one of the numbers by taking concrete action that may exclude us from experiencing the dreaded disease.

In an earlier interview, Head, Oncology Department at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Remi Ajekigbe, notes that lifestyle change is one giant step that any individual can take to guard against cancer.

The Professor of Radiotherapy and Oncology counsels that in addition to going for regular screening relevant to anyone’s age and sex, adopting healthy habits matters a lot in seeing that you do not come down with cancer, even as you advance in age.

Eat right diet

One most important step in guarding against cancer, experts say, is our diet. Of course, the average person prides himself in eating fruit and vegetables, which is good. But then, outside of these two, what about your attitude to “cured” or “processed” meat?

For a long time, meat eating has been viewed with suspicion, and there have been divergent scholarly studies examining the pros and cons of beef consumption. But while scientists are not unanimous about whether or not eating fresh beef could lead to developing any of the cancers, they agree that eating so-called cured meat in all its modifications and presentations is very dangerous to health.

Cured meats defined

What are these cured meats? Cured meats come in various guises, and they include bacon, sausage, pepperoni, beef jerky, deli slices, hot dogs, sandwich meat, ham, meat used in canned soups, meat used in frozen pizza, meat used in kid’s lunch products, and meat used in ravioli, spaghetti or Italian pasta products.

The list isn’t exhaustive, but this little list gives you an idea of what we are talking about.

The next question is, why are they dangerous? The answer is simple: the ingredients.

A Professor of Human Nutrition at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, notes that processed meats have many ingredients and are usually packaged for long-term shelf life.

Experts say these products almost always contain sodium nitrite — the cancer-causing chemical additive that meat companies use as a ‘colour fixer’ to give their meat products a bright red, fresh-looking colour.

Apart from being a contributory factor to heart issues, physicians say this preservative may damage your blood vessels, making your arteries more likely to harden and narrow, leading to heart disease.

They also warn that nitrates may affect the way your body uses sugar, making you more likely to develop diabetes. And because processed meats are high in salt and saturated fat, they can disrupt a heart-healthy diet.

Now, in addition to their cancer-causing tendencies, who isn’t afraid of these other risks associated with the delicious-tasting and eye-catching delicacies? That’s where self-control comes in! And since it’s a matter of life and death, it shouldn’t be too difficult to kiss them goodbye now that there is still hope.

Nutritionists advise that if you eat meat, it’s best to wean yourself of processed meat and instead choose lean, fresh meat and poultry. And keep the portions small!

“For greater heart health, consider going one step further and increasing the amount of seafood in your diet,” they add.

And, would you know, processed meats also contain monosodium glutamate. According to online portal, naturalnews.com, MSG is a dangerous excito-toxin linked to neurological disorders such as migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, loss of appetite control, obesity and many other serious health conditions.

Worse still, nutritionists warn, processed meats also contain saturated animal fat that is often contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, pesticide residues and other dangerous substances. Perhaps this is why its indication in cancer incidents is rather high, in addition to other lifestyle habits that could make you sick.