Between 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. SPRF works with the Ministry of Health, Hospitals, partners and Health care worker to advocate on policies, raise awareness to reduce exposure to cancer risk factors, and also ensure that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.
What we do?
Promote health seeking behavior, early screening for Breast and cervical cancer, institute preventive measures, detect and treat at early stages possible to reduce morbidity premature deaths. We address the burden of cancer in relation to occurrence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),
We target those with risk like tobacco smokers, alcohol users, those with physical inactivity, unhealth dietary factors, obesity and those with overweight.
What are the risks?
- Regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and a healthy diet can reduce risk.
-
- Overweight and obesity are linked to many types of cancer such as esophagus, colorectal, breast, endometrial and kidney.
- Excess body mass was responsible for 3.4% of cancers in 2012, including 110, 000 cases of breast cancer per year.
-
- Risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.
-
- Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectal and breast.
- In 2016, alcohol-attributable cancers were estimated to be responsible for 400,000 deaths worldwide, predominantly among men (WHO).
-
- Infections
- Cancer causing infections, such as hepatitis and human papilloma virus (HPV), are responsible for up to 25% of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries.
- Vaccines are available for hepatitis B virus and some types of HPV, and can reduce the risk of liver and cervical cancers, respectively.
Tips to help with cancer
- Create a comfortable sleep environment: a place that is cool, dark, and quiet.
- Use your bed for sleep and sex only. Doing other activities in bed will train your brain into thinking that activities other than sleep are appropriate in bed.
- Avoid or limit caffeine. Caffeine can make you more alert during the day, but many people are sensitive to its effects. Even one or two cups in the early part of the day can disrupt your sleep at night.
What if I Cannot be cured of my cancer disease?
Sometimes cancer may not be treatable; Once you get symptoms, see your doctor and regular checkups may make your cancer cured.
Dr. Suleiman C. Muttani will present you with gynecological cancers “coping mechanism, early detection, treatment and how to live with it at Pride Women’s Cancer Care, Singida, Tanzania
If you are doing all the right things and exercising, doing weight cutting, reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, eating health, practicing good hygiene, and still have trouble with symptoms, visit your cancer specialist for help.