How damaged DNA in cells breeds cancer
One in every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, a report by Cancer Treatment Centers of America shows.
Despite the huge numbers, most people do not know what cancer really is.
Oncologist Joan Kitagwa, who works for Vihiga county, demystified cancer as cells that have lost the ability to follow the normal control that the bodies excude in all cells.
“Cells in the body grow and divide as part of the normal growth cycle. The cell's nucleus controls this process," she said in an interview with the Star at Mbale county hospital.
"Inside each nucleus, genetic materials called DNA contain the instructions for this process.”
Sometimes, the cell’s DNA becomes damaged and normally, it is the DNA that responds by repairing itself or instructing the cells to die.
In cancer, however, parts of the cell's DNA that direct the cell's division become damaged.
“When these sections are damaged, the DNA is unable to repair itself or cause the cell to die," Kitagwa says.
"Instead, the unrepaired DNA causes the cell to grow and divide uncontrollably into more damaged cells called cancer cells.”
These changes are called gene mutations. Consequently, a tumour forms as the cancer cells multiply and displace the normal cells.
If not managed, the cancer cells grow, multiply and spread to the rest of the body parts.
When these sections are damaged, the DNA is unable to repair itself or cause the cell to die. Instead, it causes the cell to grow and divide uncontrollably into more damaged cells called cancer cellsJoan Kitagwa
NEED FOR CHECKUPS
But how will someone detect cancer early to contain it before it spreads to the rest of the body?
Kitagwa says there is an urgent need for people to visit health facilities for regular checkups and screening to detect it early for appropriate action.
The cost involved in screening for cancer, however, scares most people from assessing their health.
Stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding cancer management are also major challenges facing Kenyans in rural Kenya.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, according to the World Health Organisation.
The report states that every sixth death in the world is due to cancer, making it the second-leading killer disease after cardiovascular diseases globally.
"Despite it being a global health pandemic, it is not a death sentence, it's manageable," Kitagwa said.
In Kenya, cancer is the third-leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
Kitagwa says from 2012 to 2018, the annual incidence of cancer increased from 37,000 to 47,887 new cases.
During the same period, annual cancer mortality rose to almost 32,987 from 28,500 cancer-related deaths.
TYPES AND MANAGEMENT
Kitagwa says cervical cancer, prostate cancer, throat cancer and blood cancer are common in rural areas.
Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix and the lower parts of the uterus that connect to the vagina.
It is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection linked to having many sexual partners.
“If someone notices unusual bleeding like in between periods, after sex or after menopause, pains during urination, odour smell or discharge from the vagina and experiencing pains on the pelvis, then the person needs to go for a quick checkup,” Kitagwa says.
As for breast cancer, the oncologist says it is a disaster among women, more so those aged 35 and above.
“Breast cancer in most cases starts with rashes on breasts or nipple, bloody discharge from the nipple, lumbar in breasts or armpit and change of size or shape of the breasts as well.”
She further says throat cancer is another pandemic that is oppressing people in remote areas without their knowledge.
It is mainly caused by smoking, excessive intake of hard drinks and pepper, and consuming hot foods beyond the required temperature.
Other complicated conditions are leukaemia (cancer of the blood) and prostate cancer, which affects men.
“Some of the cancers are genetic issues, for instance, breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia and cervical cancer. Throat cancer can be avoided at all costs,” she said.
Some of the foodstuffs, when advised to do away with them, it’s important to comply. But majority ignore medical expert reportsLeah Akoya
BALANCED DIET
Kitagwa said when people are struggling with cancer, they need to reconsider their diet.
“For cervical cancer, patients need to do with more proteins, Omega-3 fatty acids and more intake of foods rich in vitamin A, C, D and E, which contain antioxidants that prevent the damage of body cells.”
She encourages the intake of fruits and vegetables, use of antioxidant vitamins A, C, D and E, and a high intake of carbohydrates to provide energy for patients with breast cancer.
Throat cancer patients are encouraged to take a soft diet high in proteins and calories. Intake of fruits and vegetables and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are also encouraged.
Leukaemia patients are advised to consume a high-protein diet. To boost iron levels, patients are encouraged to consume whole grains.
Intake of fruits and vegetables, a low-fat diet and intake of Omega-3 fatty acids are proposed for patients with prostate cancer.
Makueni county nutritionist Leah Akoya said most cancer patients have largely failed to meet the diet requirements.
“Some of the foodstuffs, when advised to do away with them, it’s important to comply. But majority ignore medical expert reports,” she said.
“Once you comply, regulating cancer problems becomes easier, with drugs applied based on the medical team's prescriptions as well.”
Considering the huge cost facing patients with cancer across the country, many counties have taken steps to alleviate the problem.
Many patients were forced to travel out of their counties to seek specialised care for cancer, exacerbating the already difficult situation with extra costs.
COUNTY INTERVENTION
In Vihiga, for instance, Governor Wilber Ottichilo told the Star their investment in the oncology centre was fuelled by their desire to cut costs for most cancer patients from the area and the neighbouring counties.
“Not all of us are financially endowed. Many cannot access these facilities due to financial constraints or other reasons,” he said.
Ottichilo said many of the county governments that opted to prioritise cancer treatment had to also invest in training oncologists.
“In case one needed such services, we have only three health facilities countrywide: Kenyatta National Hospital, Jomo Kenyatta University hospital and Eldoret Referral,” the governor said.
With only those facilities, remote areas with no financial muscles were straining to contain the disease.
The Vihiga government has already set up an oncology unit that has been fully equipped with required tools worth Sh15 million.
The governor, who is eyeing a second term in office, called for extra investment in county levels to help thousands of cancer patients across the country manage the menace. BY THE STAR
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