Ignorance of Cancer Kills More Than Cancer Itself

We live in a world where some people are still so unaware that they believe Cancer is a virus. Stating this from my own experience at the workplace, I was befuddled when my educated colleague asked me if Cancer was a virus. Even before I could answer his question, I had to come to terms with the realization that ignorance about Cancer is more widespread than we presume it to be. Every school kid is supposed to know that the fatal disease of Cancer is a result of cellular abnormality. This means that our cells which multiply at rapid rates are designed to kill itself to maintain a balance in the body. However, when these very cells start multiplying beyond control and are unable to kill themselves, an accumulation of the cells occur, resulting in a tumor. These tumors are malignant, or in other words, cancerous. Carcinogens that can be found in certain substances are also a major cause of Cancer. These carcinogens, once inside our body, can lead to the abnormal multiplication of cells that we spoke about just a few moments ago.

This very explanation is imbued in the minds (or it should be) of children, probably when they are in grades 6 or at the most, grade 7. So, logically speaking, there is no way that human beings can miss out on this very fact that a virus does not cause cancer. The reality is not the same, though, as we have already seen. Therefore, we are faced with a terrible yet pertinent question now. What is it that is claiming the lives of millions around the globe-the disease itself, or the ignorance of it?

Ignorance Is Not Bliss:

It is time we did away with the useless proverb “ignorance is bliss.” Ignorance has never served any purpose. It might have been useful in some long forgotten lore, but to stay ignorant and unaware about essential things in this day and age is pernicious to our intelligence, and most of the times health. Ignorance is a public health issue that must be dealt with before dealing with a disease itself. Imagine a world thronged by people who has the same level of health awareness as that one colleague of mine! It wouldn’t even take years before half of the world’s population gyrated towards its doom. None would know the symptoms of blood pressure, let alone Cancer. People would die day in and day out because of ignorance. So, does it really feel that “ignorance is bliss”?

Cancer Awareness- The Road Not Taken!

Raising awareness about Cancer is the immediate need of the hour. Millions of women fall prey to Cervical Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, and Breast Cancer. The figure that shows the rate of death in men as a result of Testicular Cancer and Lung Cancer is staggering and worrisome. Yet, we sit comfortably in our warm houses, dilly-dallying, and wondering whether a routine check-up is essential or not. Then there are health myths that abound our lives- being skinny, by default, equates to being healthy, and munching on apples is seen as a measure taken to keep doctors away. These health myths need to be busted as much as awareness needs to be raised. However, it is not the sole responsibility of the government to try and educate people on various diseases. The onus is upon us too, to read up and learn about the symptoms of diseases that can eventually eat at our existence.

There is a myriad of resources available on the internet, and that is enough to gain more perspective on Cancer and its symptoms. Articles and blog posts written by doctors and medical health professionals are informative and can genuinely help those who are in dire need of help. You could be enlightened about the symptoms of Breast Cancer or Acute Leukaemia, and learn how to go about the treatment process. You would also learn why it is absolutely essential to have health and life insurance, and other policies that could cover the cost of your treatment and look after your loved ones if the unthinkable were to happen to you. For instance, this medical insurance guide by Robert Paulsen can provide you with all the essential know-how of health insurance. The very first step to the right treatment is the right education.

In A Nutshell:

The bottom line is that there is no dearth of articles or awareness programs made available for us that talks about the fatal touch of Cancer and spot the first symptoms of it. However, human beings love procrastinating. We love to make promises of learning tomorrow without fail, but tomorrow never comes. This is exactly what is killing us. Ignorance is sinister, and it kills us more than Cancer itself. All we can do is quit this devil-may-care attitude and come out of our hubris to live a long and wholesome life.