200 Views Posted on 09-Jul-2011 under Health

SMOKING ACCOUNTS FOR 15% CANCEROUS DISEASES IN GHANA
Lungs cancer accounts for 15% of all types of cancer in humans and it is mostly found among smokers, and that is why smokers over the age of 40 are recommended for a specific x-rays examination twice yearly in order that hidden diseases could be diagnosed early and make treatment more effective.
Lung cancer is becoming increasingly common in women, in direct proportion to the higher number of female smokers.
An average smoker is ten times more likely to suffer from cancer than a non-smoker and in the case of a heavy smoker it increases the risk to up to twenty times.
Spending prolonged periods of time in smoking environments (passive smoking) there can be no doubt that the best protection against lung cancer as well as cancer of the mouth and larynx (throat) is to stop smoking completely.
Dr. Albert Budu of yehowa asem herbal clinic had this to tell the general public when this reporter visited his outfit.
He said if a heavy smoker starts to show symptoms as coughing, breathing difficulties, coughing up blood, decrease vitality it is an indication that he has been affected by cancer.
He said in such cases treatment could be done if the person stop smoking and this is when medical doctors can do surgery, chemo therapy (use of drugs) or anti-plastic in an attempt to destroy tumor cells that interfere with cellular functions and reproduction.
He said the use of radiation is to destroy malignant cells with minimal exposure to normal cell and be used as a primary treatment.
Clinical trials may not provide a cure but may extend life or improve quality of life.
Colon cancer, or cancer of the intestines, is twice likely to affect men than women and more frequently affects the middle-aged and elderly.
However between 8% and 10% of causes occur in people between the ages of20-40, depending on the location of the cancer within the intestines.
Cancer of the intestines is rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of small intestine.
This cancer is caused by poor diet in vegetable fiber.
Pre-cancerous lesions he said is will show off blood in the stools or on toilet paper, alternating between constipation and diarrhea for no apparent reason, charges in bowel habits, urgent need to move the bowels, diffuse intestinal and abdominal complaints.
He said it can be prevented by taking in plenty of fiber (vegetables, fruits, and wholegrain cereals), regular consumption of vegetables of the cruciferous family (cabbages, turnips green), excessive consumption of meat and refined food, especially white flour can contribute to the appearance of disease.
Story By;Millicent Ativor