#WorldCancerDay is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness for cancer and to encourage its prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Cancer is a broad term. It describes the disease that results when cellular changes cause uncontrolled growth and division of cells. Some types of cancer cause rapid cell growth, while others cause cells to grow and divide at a slower rate.

Cancerous cells can form tumors, impair the immune system and cause other changes that prevent the body from functioning regularly. They build up in the body, using oxygen and nutrients that would usually nourish other cells.

Cancerous cells may appear in one area, then spread to other areas (this is called metastasis). There are risk factors to being prone to cancer and the most prevalent is smoking.

In addition to smoking, risk factors for cancer include:

heavy alcohol consumption

excess body weight

physical inactivity

poor nutrition

This year’s theme, “I Can, We Can” acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden. We can work together to reduce cancer risk factors.

Every action counts and together, we can prevent cancer by;

Not smoking

Exercising regularly and eating healthy

Limiting the intake of alcohol

Vaccinating children against HPV and Hepatitis B

Practicing Safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted infections.

Cancer causes cells to divide uncontrollably. It also prevents them from dying at the natural point in their life cycle. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can contribute to the development of the disease.

Several elements affect the ways that DNA communicates with cells and directs their division and death. Treatments are constantly improving. Examples of current methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Some people benefit from newer options, such as stem cell transplantation and precision medicine.

For more information on cancer, cervical cancer and other issues around women's health use www.wellvis.org to get insights from doctors and other health workers