Number of women dying from cancer is expected to grow by 60% by 2030 –

In 2012, 6.7 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in women around the globe. More: 3.5 million female representatives died from the disease that year. These numbers are from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, linked to the World Health Organization (WHO), and they tend to get worse, according to a study by the American Cancer Society, published on November 1, 2016 in the respected journal The Lancet.

According to estimates indicated in the research, in 2030, the number of annual cases of malignant tumors in women should increase to 9.9 million and deaths, to 5.5 million. Analyzing specifically the episodes of breast cancer, the forecast is that the current 1.7 million cases per year jump to 3.2 million in 14 years. Cervical cancer is expected to affect more than 700,000 women in the future.

The survey warns that most of these cases happen – and will continue to happen – in less developed countries, where access to early diagnosis and treatment are still for the few. To get an idea, only 5% of the global cancer fund goes to the poorest nations. Therefore, the proposal of the American Cancer Society is that an international effort be made to improve health conditions in these territories, especially in relation to cancer.

Read too: Attitudes that help to ward off breast cancer and other tumors

Brazil

Among the references that the document makes to our country is the survival rate of breast cancer patients in the five years after diagnosis of the disease. Around here, the rates are similar to those of countries like the United States, Canada and Australia: 85% of women with this disease manage to live half a decade or more. In nations such as South Africa, Mongolia and India, this rate is 60%.

When it comes to colorectal cancer, however, we are on the same level as Romania and Mexico, where deaths and the incidence of this disease are increasing due to the increase in risk factors among the population – which include obesity, smoking and excessive consumption of processed meats.

And more: 6 heartwarming movies that raise awareness about breast cancer

Diet and physical activity

“Women should be encouraged to not smoke, be physically active, maintain/achieve a healthy weight, limit alcohol consumption and red and processed meat and eat more fruits and vegetables”, guide the authors of the article. According to them, a healthy lifestyle strengthens the body to fight various diseases, including cancer.

Hence the importance of having a balanced diet, rich in healthy ingredients, and exercising frequently. The WHO recommendation is that adults practice at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity during the week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise during that period. But, according to the American Cancer Society document, exercising for longer than the WHO indicates – 300 minutes a week of moderate activity or 150 at a higher intensity – can bring even more health benefits.

Oh, and the exercise doesn’t have to be just at the gym – it’s worth playing and even doing housework. Then, with a healthy and active routine, cancer may even show up, but your body will have much better conditions to face it.