STAY ALERT NOW TO AVOID CANCER AT OLD AGE.

Every living cell is prone to cancer. Cancer cells are cells gone wrong which don't adhere to the normal cell growth and death rate. As per nature's law, new cells form from existing cells. The rate of cell division is more when a person is young and decreases with age. In older people, new cells form only to replace existing cells. Cancer cells divide more rapidly and evade programmed cell death. This results in formation of lumps. Some cancers which are confined to a particular organ are benign while others that spread to other organs of the body are malignant. Changes in lifestyle, stress, hormonal treatments, family history and certain viral and bacterial infections may lead to cancer. According to a survey by National Cancer Institute (NCI) most of the new cases of cancer (around 60 percent) are being diagnosed in people over 65 years and is responsible for 70 percent  mortality rate. Old people are ten times more prone to cancer compared to young people. They are prone to many cancers like colon cancer, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and breast cancer. High blood pressure, thyroid complications, blockages in heart valves are some of the triggers. Since age is the main factor, personalised treatment is required for these patients, taking into account their physical, mental, financial, social and family conditions. What they need most is family and friends' support.

Apart from the triggers mentioned above, other triggers of cancer in the aged are:

• Addiction to smoking and alcohol;
• Multiple sexual partners;
• Reduced Immunity;
• Hormonal Imbalance;
• Abnormalities in cell division, which manifests at later age;
• Exposure to chemicals;
• Treatments for other diseases.

Those who suffer from Werner Syndrome, Alzheimer's, AIDS, etc. are more prone to cancer. In women, higher levels of estrogen may lead to breast cancer, uterus cancer and endometrium cancer. Late-onset menopause is another cause of concern. In men, higher levels of testosterone may lead to prostate cancer. Women beyond 35 years need to undergo screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer while men who are more than fifty years, need to undergo screening for prostate cancer. Healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet from a younger age, and screening tests to stay alert about any physical changes is advisable.

---Challapalli Srinivas Chakravarthy---

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