Health reports show that cancer has become a crisis in Canada. It has become the number #1 cause of death in the country. Even though we have seen huge medical advancements focused on cancer management and research, the growing trend is still quite concerning. It creates socio-economical disadvantages, especially for minority groups.
How Big is Cancer A Problem in Canada?
There is crucial evidence that indeed cancer is the number #1 killer in Canada. According to Canadian Cancer Statistics, a publication that offers an in-depth and current update on cancer impact in Canada, there is a huge surge in the rate of infection. Estimates show that about 2 in 5 people with have cancer in their lifetime in Canada, and 1 out of 4 will die from it. The reports show that about 230 000 people were diagnosed, where 84,600 succumbed to it. It’s clear that cancer is the top cause of death in these countries.
Cancer affects males, females, and young and older generations differently. Also, different regions report varying figures in the rates of diagnosis. Here is a brief breakdown:
- Males are more affected by cancer in Canada than females in terms of diagnosis.
- Close to 90% of cancer cases are reported in Canadians over 50 years of age. However, the impact on the younger generation is even more devastating. It’s reported that more children under 15 years died of cancer in 2019 than in any other year.
- The eastern part of Canada generally records more cancer-related cases than the west.
What are the biggest risk factors of cancer in Canada
There are many risk factors in Canada, majorly linked to lifestyle. Here are the leading causes:
Smoking
Smoking is rated as the top cause of preventable deaths globally. Statistics show that it kills about 5 million people every year. Smoking leads to various issues, such as lung, head and neck, upper gastrointestinal tract, and similar cancers.
Alcohol
There is a close relationship between cancer and chronic alcohol consumption. Smoking shows the same cancer development risks as alcohol, primarily associated with the aerodigestive tract and liver cancers.
Nutrition and physical activity
The food we eat and the life we lead contribute greatly to our health. Consumption of unhealthy foods and lack of physical exercise leads to an increase in cancer cases. High body mass index and obesity, and lack of enough physical activity, tied with consumption of fat, meat, and dairy products, raise the risk of cancer development.
Sexual behaviour and reproductive health
Women between 20 and 49 are at a higher risk of cervical cancer due to sexual behaviour and other factors. This remains the third most common cancer among young and middle-aged women. According to the statistics mentioned above, 10-30% of the population in Canada carries human papillomavirus, the leading cause of cervical cancers.
Environmental pollution
The impact of environmental pollution is visible everywhere. It’s a risk factor felt and affecting the whole world. Pollutants like air and water contaminants have been the highest causes of cancer for a long time.
No One is Doing Anything About It
Even with all these figures showing that cancer is a big problem in Canada, no one is doing anything about it. The number of deaths continues to increase by the day as more and more people get affected.
Here are some of the reasons why no one is doing anything about it:
Lack of evidence-based policies to address the root causes
We have seen some of the cancer root causes above, and statistical analysis of how diseases affect different people. Despite all these, there are no clear policies to guide these cases and commit to the continuing assessments of interventions.
Some organizations are trying to stimulate the creation of such policies, but so far, more needs to be done. A lot has been said over the years, but too little has been done to curb the risk and ensure everyone is at least safer.
For instance, smoking continues to be the leading cause. And yet tobacco and other similar products continue to swell on the market as an economic factor. Environmental pollution continues to grow daily, further degrading mother nature and creating an even bigger cancer black hole.
Less investigation of disparities in all healthcare aspects
There is a great need to investigate cancer disparities in all healthcare sections. This includes allocating resources for health care, actual receipt services, and improving the quality of services. So far, there doesn’t seem to be much action in such areas.
The government, healthcare institutions, and other stakeholders are reluctant – or it seems so, to implement specific strategies to resolve this issue once and for all. Cancer cases will keep growing unless something is done, causing more harm to the general population.
Lack of commitment from individuals to change or improve their lives
There is a huge concern that individuals need to do more to improve their lives. Canadians continue to smoke freely, eat risky foods and pollute the environment daily with much concern. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to stay indoors, which closed doors to gyms and physical exercise areas, further contributing to the lack of enough physical activity.
Creating awareness about cancer, its causes, and its effects on society is crucial. So far, nothing much seems to be happening, causing more concern about the general health status of this great nation. It could be, perhaps, but people are still afraid to talk or hear about it. But that should not be the reason to keep quiet.
Lack of a conceptual framework to promote equity
A conceptual framework to promote equity could be one of the best ways to deal with cancer-related issues. It could include the research and application of research and application of different factors that promote the development of strategies/policies, cultural competencies, community partnerships, and patient-focused care.
So, we haven’t seen such strategies. That means no one has realized the importance of focusing on cancer as a major threat to the socio-economic welfare of Canadians yet. And hence, we will continue seeing a spike in cases and spending more on ineffective treatments.
Conclusion
Cancer does not only affect the person diagnosed. It touches the lives of the loved ones mandated as caregivers, affecting their socioeconomic well-being. It also touches the whole community where the input of key members could be impacted negatively.
The disease remains the number #1 cause of death in Canada and the whole world. Individually, there is nothing much you can do, but together, we can all create a healthy environment. If you understand these factors, it becomes easier to take measures that could take from a cancer path. It’s the responsibility of every Canadian to combat such diseases and live a healthy life. It’s time to do something about it.
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