adminCatherine Murombedzi
PEOPLE were created in a superior way from any other creations that they reason and have power over their actions. However, some of the actions do not exhibit that element to reason which leaves the human being to suffer some of the avoidable consequences. Cancer is a non-communicable disease and World Cancer Day is commemorated on February 4.
Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world to observe the day. The theme for the next three years is: “I can, we can”.
Avoidable deaths, however, continue to claim many lives and in cases of HIV where the main mode of transmission is sexual and that can safely be protected, many still get infected today despite having heard the message time and again. There is something they did not do – use protection.
A person who smokes tobacco has 23 percent chances of getting lung cancer as compared to a non-smoker. That is upping the risk factor and that too can be lowered by one not smoking and for those addicted trying to cut on the amount of cigarettes taken every day. One would argue that it’s easier said than done.
Globally tobacco causes 70 percent of lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the most common cause of death accounting for 1.59 million deaths annually.
The Union which is an organisation dealing with lung diseases, said that passive smoking could be equally bad as inhalers are exposed to huge amount of smoke. This can be in the home, at the bar, at the restaurant and any public place. They therefore call for total ban of smoking in public places.
“Smoking in public places must be totally banned as it exposes non-smokers to dangerous fumes. Passive smoking accounts for a sizeable number of lung cancer cases. People need to breathe clean air. A deterrent measure would be to make tobacco products very expensive,” it noted.
All tobacco products must carry a health warning and it must be legible.
This warning is written although it is the smallest font size that it can pass the eye.
The advertiser usually has to sell and smoking pleasure is blazoned in large letters 10 times bigger than the health warning.
I have locally seen a warning on a tobacco product reading: “Tobacco may be dangerous to your health . . .”
Note the word ‘may’. So does it mean it may not be harmful? Such reckless wording must be scrutinised by the advertising industry as it gives the smoker a belief that it ‘may’ also not be harmful. That is food for thought.
Dr Patricia Rivera of the CHEST and Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), added in saying that people who have smoked for over 15 years and are aged 55 to 80 ought to be screened for lung cancer.
“Screening modalities for people who have smoked for over 15 years and are aged above 55 years ought to be in place. They are most at risk of developing lung cancer,” she said during a Webnair held by CNS health recently.
She noted that there are multi-factorial issues at hand and this can be age, tobacco use, family history and occupational history.
“Pulmonary fibrosis increases with smoking. People at risk though occupational exposure also need to be screened,” she called for this to be routine.
Lung cancer has a high mortality rate and in the United States it killed more women.
“More people will die of lung cancer than of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria combined,” said Dr Rivera.
She urged that tobacco use hazards have to be given and awareness must be raised always.
“Tobacco is still the most important risk factor accounting for 70 percent of deaths,” she said.
Family history of having had cancer has to be recorded as it is a risk factor again.
“Family history has to be noted and this is exacerbated by smoking,” Dr Rivera said.
In Zimbabwe, there is now a wide range of substances that smokers use ranging from glue, unprocessed tobacco and pipe smokers have an array of condiments mixed.
In the Zambezi Valley bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Tonga people use water pipes.
Smoking is done by both males and females and a huge gourd with a substance and a water pipe is used. Although there are no statistics to substantiate that lung cancer is high in this region as compared to neighbouring districts, I believe if a study was to be carried out it could give insight into that.
A gourd with pipe smoke passes through water and the smoke is inhaled.
There is a general belief that since the smoke passes through water it is filtered and is not harmful.
One episode of water pipe smoking is equivalent to 100 cigarettes so the belief of filtered is false.
Water pipe smokers the world over have a higher risk of lung cancer, TB, Hepatitis B as the product contains more nicotine as compared to cigarette smokers.
As proved that smoking increases the risk of getting lung cancer, why then be standing on the blind spot puffing to death.
I can, we can have a proactive approach to cancer and lower the risk as seen in lung cancer. We can offer care and support in cancer patients.
Feedback:[email protected]
Online Reporter