Non Communicable Disease

Factors responsible for non communicable disease

           In 2002, WHO has listed top ten risk factors of death. Among ten risk factors six are related to non-communicable diseases. Various factors which are related and responsible for non-communicable disease are divided in to two groups: modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

I) Modifiable Risk Factors: Most of the risk factors of non-communicable diseases are directly related to our life style and they are modifiable also. The modifiable risk factors of non-communicable diseases are listed bellow:

. Unhealthy diet.

. Use of tobacco and alcohol.

. lack of physical exercise, activities and rest.

. over weight/obesity

. mental tension and high blood pressure.

II) Non Modifiable Risk Factors: Heredity, age, sex, body structures, etc., are non modifiable risk factors of non-communicable diseases. The disease like diabetes and asthma are also known as genetic diseases. Those diseases have high chance to transfer to their offspring. Breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, etc., are most common in the people who are physically inactive. The vigorous exercise or participation in physical activity is essential to the people about 30-40 minutes each day for healthy life. There is more possibility of getting high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, etc., due to over weight and obesity. Obesity is caused by lack of physical activity.

a)      Cancer: Cancer is the name used for a group of disease that have common characteristics of abnormal growth of cells. “Malignant neoplasm|” and “malignant tumors” are other terms used to indicate this abnormal harmful growth of cell. Normal cells reproduce in a methodical manner in accordance to genetic coding, whereas cancerous growth is uncontrolled and it spreads throughout the body, destroying or replacing normal cells.

Cancer cells have a unique ability to grow and spread outside the organ where they originate. The cell may be carried in the blood or lymphatic channels to other parts of the body where they attack healthy tissues and cause malfunction. Cancer cells differ from normal cells. Diagnosis of cancer is based upon identification of abnormal cells by microscopic examination of suspected tissues. A biopsy involves obtaining a sample of the abnormal tissues by surgical means. Any part of the body can be infected by cancer. More than 100 varieties of cancer have been found till now. It is one of the main reasons of human death all over the world. The more common sites of cancer are the lungs, breast, uterus, urinary bladder, larynx, stomach and liver.

           Because of cancer about 76lakhs people die every year in the world. It is estimated that there will be 114 lakh death cancer by 2030 AD. 70% of death are found in developing country among the death by cancer.

Causes of cancer: Unfortunately, the exact cause of cancer is not known yet. But there are numerous contributing or predisposing factors that may influence the onset of a cancer. The following are the possible causes of cancer:

1)      Physical Factor: radium, x-ray, ultraviolet ray, etc.

2)      Chemical Factors: tobacco and tobacco products, alcohol, colours, etc.

3)      Bilogical  Factors: Virus, bacteria, heredity, hepatitis B, cause lives cancer. Human papiloma virus causes cancers of cervix. Helocobactor pylori causes stomach (gartric) cancer, etc.

Warning Signs of Cancer:

.     lump or hard area in the breast (note: all the tumors are not cancer tumor, out of 8 tumors in the breast one may be the cancer tumor).

.     A change in the wart or mole.

.     A persistent change in digestive and bowel habits.

.     A persistent cough or hoarseness.

.     Excessive loss of blood at the monthly period or loss of blood outside the usual dates.

.     Blood loss from any natural orifice (nose, hole, anal hole).

.     A swelling or sore that does not get better.

.     Unexplained loss of weight.

Prevention and control: Most cancers are curable, if they are identified early. Early detection is the best line of defense or prevention against cancer. Furthermore, the following guideline is given as preventive measures.

.      Avoid the use of tobacco and other products containing tobacco.

.      Avoid excessive exposure of your body part to the sunlight.

.      Support the efforts to reduce air pollution and undue use of pesticides.

.      Follow the healthy food practice or habits which helps to control the 40% cancer.

.      Support the cancer education awareness campaigns.

.      Compulsory breast feeding and treating any kind of wound timlely.

.       About 20% of cancer are found occurring due to long term infections like hepatitis B, genital wart etc. Therefore, the prevention of such infection is essential.