The risk of cancer is increasing every day by day. It is no longer a news that people are losing their loved ones daily because of cancer. Most children are now orphans and some parents have lost their children to the cold hands of death.
WHAT IS CANCER?
Cancer according to World Health Organization is an ailment featured by an unrestrained growth of abnormal cells which if not treated and unchecked eventually kills the patients. Remember it is not contagious and is terminal when not detected early. In order to avoid the rise of cancer, I have distilled down the ways youth can aid in preventing cancer and how they can create awareness globally.
- 1. CREATION OF YOUTH CLUBS
In creating awareness on the prevention of cancer, youths are expected to form clubs in schools, communities, states, peer-to-peer approach, play groups, etc. informing them the causes, effects of cancer and how it can be prevented. They should be enlightened on how to avoid things that could give rise to cancer which increases the rate of morbidity and mortality. - 2. AVOID THE USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS AND UNHEALTHY DIETS
In doing this, the organization formed by the youth organized seminars, conferences, etc. where they will educate the masses about the effects of taking hard drugs like cocaine, marijuana, cigarettes, etc. which is very hazardous to their health. They should be reminded that smokers are liable to die young. Taking of hard drugs increases the rate of cancer like lung cancer, kidney cancer, mouth cancer, etc. leading people to untimely death. The habit of taking unhealthy diets like processed or red meat, high amount of sugar-sweetened beverages or refined carbs, low consumption of vegetables and fruits, high taking of diary products( which has been linked to prostate cancer), too much taking of alcohos, etc which is very harmful to their immune system. This stimulates the cells to grow abnormally thereby encouraging the rise of cancer in the body. The youths should also mobilize people that will go into the communities disseminating the increase in cancer and ways it can be prevented and the need to adhere to good living and taking of balanced diets.
- 3. LIAISING WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The youths should bring out representatives that would have a dialogue with the government based on providing employment to our virile youths especially rehabilitating cancer patients and give them lucrative jobs since good living lead to good health. The adage”health is wealth”can only be achieved when the youths are gainfully employed, they would not be able to indulge in anything that is inimical to their health like consuming drugs.
- 4. ESTABLISHING LAWS THAT PREVENTS THE DUMPING OF POLLUTANTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Scientists have proven that the air we breathe in today are polluted and this has contributed to the rise of diseases. Pollutants like refuse, toxic waste, smoke from industries and factories etc when littered indiscriminately on the environment makes it dirty which is very bad to people’s health. The saying “cleanliness is next to Godliness” should be practiced. Waste bin, recycling bin, etc should be provided and shared among the citizens.
- 5. USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AND MEDICATED SOAP AMONG THE FEMALES SHOULD BE AVOIDED
The use of oral contraceptives among ladies should be reduced. The youths should hould educate and disseminate the effects of taking them and the need to abstain from pre-marital sex as it prevents them from contracting Sexual Transmitted Diseases. It has proven that continuous intake of contraceptives exacerbate the risk of breast and cervical cancer in women. The use of medicated soap to wash the vagina should be reduced as this contributes to ovarian cancer. The vagina should be washed with warm water only as this reduced the increase of cancer.
Sanitary pads are meant to be changed after 5 hours while on menstruation as this helps to prevent females from cancer.
Good surroundings brings good health so cleanliness should be adopted. Youths should prohibit the idea of building industries and factories near residential areas in order not to pollute the environment.
