The origin of the term cancer is attributed to the Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 BC). He is also considered the “father of medicine”. Hippocrates used the terms carcino and carcinoma to describe non-ulcer-forming and ulcer-forming tumors. In Greek, the word refers to a crab, possibly applied to disease. Evidence of cancer cells was seen in dinosaur fossils 70-80 million years ago. After many research in 2003, this thing came to know. At the same time, the oldest hominid malignant tumor was found in Homo erectus 4.2–3.9 million years ago. This was reported by Louis Leakey in 1932.
History :-
3000 BC. Evidence of cancer cells was found in Egyptian mummies. 1600 BC In Egypt, the local people used to talk about cancer being among the gods. Ancient Egyptian scrolls describe eight cases of breast tumors treated by hysterectomy. He has told that stomach cancer is treated by mixing boiled barley with dates. 500 BC The Ramayana in India describes treatment with arsenic paste to stop growing tumors.
In 50 AD the Romans in Italy discovered that some tumors could be removed through surgery. But he saw that no medicine is working in this disease. He said that even after all efforts, some tumors grew again.
Autopsies to detect cancer became more frequent in Europe in the 1500s and understanding of internal cancer increased. Zacharias Janssen invented the microscope in 1595 in the Netherlands.
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 1993, a membership-based organization, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), was founded in Geneva to work to eradicate cancer worldwide and advance medical research. In the same year, the inaugural International Cancer Day was organized in Geneva, Switzerland under its guidance.
First cancer day :-
The first Cancer Day was celebrated in Geneva, Switzerland in the year 1933 at the initiative of the World Health Organisation. Since then, every year a new theme is released on Cancer Day. The purpose behind this is that the common people can be made aware of the dangers of cancer and can be informed about its symptoms and prevention. Many people have a misconception that cancer spreads even by touch, due to which people do not treat cancer patients well. But it is not so at all, rather this notion is completely wrong. Instead of discriminating against these patients, we should support them.
Types of cancer according to WHO :-
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every 10 Indians is at risk of cancer and by 2025, 16 lakh people in the country may be victims of cancer.
In which, maximum number of breast cancer patients will be there. There are more than 100 types of this dangerous disease.
The most common of these are skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, kidney cancer. Breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancers are most common in women, while lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers are most common in men.
Cause of cancer :-
There are many reasons for getting cancer. However, the most common causes are smoking, tobacco, lack of physical activity, poor diet, rays from X-rays, UV rays from the sun, infections, family genes, etc.
Establishment of World Cancer Day :-
World Cancer Day was established in 2000 at the first World Cancer Summit. After this, World Cancer Day was celebrated for the first time in the year 2008.
The theme of World Cancer Day 2023 is ‘Close the Care Gap’.
