Cancer is on the rise across the world and concerns over funding and the availability of new drugs are the major issues that rack the minds of the health officials.
Cancer occurs in people when normal cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled way. There are more than 200 different types of cancer because there are over 200 different types of body cells. Cancer cells are immortal and do not obey the normal signaling system present in our body. Cancer cells lose the ability to become specialized cells and hence they become more primitive and reproduce quickly and haphazardly.Cancer cells lose the molecules on the surface that dictates the normal cells to continue with their functions. They also become detached from their neighbors which results in the spread of the cancer from one place to another place. Cancer can be triggered by different things such as a person's genetic make-up, age, problems with the immune system, diet, viruses, or even the daily environment. Till date cancer is considered as the most feared disease. This fear is developed due to the lack of awareness about the causes of cancer and the disease as a whole. Gill Donovan, director of patient services for Cancer Care Cymru said that people have forgotten that cancer has a human face.
There have been significant and innovative leaps forward in the ability to diagnose and treat certain specific cancers, but many others remain a challenge to us. The future need not worry as we are in a better position when compared to our forefathers. But the sad state is that today's patients live under the impression that research and new drugs are in the pipeline. Hence investment in diagnosis and treatment are very important to cope with the demands of Wales' high cancer rates. Better support systems are needed help the patients, their families and friends.
A patient after the diagnosis has been made undergoes mental turmoil and suffering. But the job of centres such as the Cancer Care Cymru is to drag them back out of that hole and to give them the support and encouragement they need plus the treatment and care, to enable them to the live with cancer. Cancer patients should not lose confidence, faith and self-belief. They have to be explained about the diagnostic procedures and the treatments they are put through and help them understand the outcomes. Cancer Care Cymru works with other voluntary sector and charitable organizations in a collaborative way to provide the best service for the patients. Though the resources are finite the demand on them is growing hence money spent on cancer research or any other related service is money well spent.
