According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 17 people die every minute from cancer, which claimed 8.8 million lives in 2020. Studies indicate that 22% of cancer-related deaths were triggered by predisposing factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

Statistics indicate that between 30 – 50% of cancers can be prevented by the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that includes proper diet and exercise, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption.

Cancer is classified as a non-communicable disease (NCD) which is the result of several risk factors and accumulated carcinogens. It has a serious impact on individuals and communities, and has become a key public health concern worldwide.

As the fight against cancer continues, the UAE-based non-profit, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), continues on its mission to provide much-needed relief and credible information highlighting the importance of healthy practices that can help prevent the occurrence of cancer.

In keeping with its dedication to raising awareness and funds for cancer treatment, FOCP has educated the community on daily habits that increase the risk of contracting cancer. An important part of cancer prevention can be as simple as making healthy lifestyle choices that avoids unhealthy diets, lethargy, lack of exercise and physical activity.

It has also shed light on several other risk factors that lead to the formation of cancer cells and double the rate of metastasis – the process by which they spread to other parts of the body.

Lack of sleep
One of the most common factors that FOCP highlights in its awareness campaigns is the popular misconception that there is no connection between lack of proper sleep and cancer. Research has established that insufficient sleep may indirectly heighten cancer risk as it is strongly linked to obesity. Lack of sleep and overexposure to light at night is not only unhealthy, it decreases the production of melatonin, a hormone that facilitates sleep and helps sets the body’s ‘biological clock’.

Produced by the pineal gland, melatonin plays a key role in setting the circadian rhythm. The production of this hormone increases at night when it is dark, and decreases during the day. Studies suggest that a shortened duration of nocturnal sleep is associated with higher cancer risk, particularly breast cancer.

Effect of unhealthy diets
Growing evidence points to certain dietary habits increasing or decreasing cancer risk. Several studies conducted worldwide have found that nutrition plays an important role in treating and coping with cancer. They also indicate that high consumption of certain foods may increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Processed foods high in sugar and low in fibre and nutrients have been linked to not only higher cancer risk, but also other NCDs such as blood pressure and diabetes.

FOCP’s awareness campaigns underscore the importance of adopting a healthy and balanced diet, particularly fruits and vegetables rich in minerals and vitamins. The entity’s popular YouTube channel ‘focpuae’ features several videos that offer easy-to-prepare healthy and delicious recipes.

Harms of smoking
Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer. People who use tobacco are at an increased risk of developing cancer. A cigarette contains about 7,000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. Smoking impacts not only the smokers, but also those around them. Secondhand smoking, also known as involuntary smoking or passive smoking, exposes everyone in the smoker’s vicinity to the same risks.

Encouraging physical activity
There is evidence linking higher physical activity to lower cancer risk. As part of its activities to drive awareness, FOCP organises lectures and workshops offering community members information and advice on the importance of exercise and how it reduces the risk of developing cancer by stimulating the immune system, which plays a critical role in combating the disease.

FOCP’s YouTube channel plays an important role in raising awareness with a number of videos produced in collaboration with professional athletes, yoga instructors and renowned nutritionists that offer practical advice and easy tips on exercising as well as following a healthy diet.

The channel also offers advice on how to combat excessive exhaustion and stress, besides posting positive audio-visual content to boost the morale of cancer patients.