World Cancer Day, 4 February, is a global initiative organized by the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) with the support of the WHO (World Health Organization). The date aims to raise awareness and inform the world about the disease, and to influence governments and individuals to mobilize to fight cancer.

According to Inca (National Cancer Institute), 704,000 new cancer cases are expected in Brazil during the 2023-2025 triennium, especially in the southern and southeastern regions, which account for about 70% of the incidence. Information taken from the publication 2023 estimate – Cancer incidence in Brazillaunched by the Incas.

According to oncologist Vicente Martorano Menegotto, there is a high incidence of skin cancer in the UK. Vincent – oncologist

Evaluation is the main tool for planning and management of oncology in Brazil, providing fundamental information to guide public policy.

According to oncologist Vicente Martorano Menegotto, the higher incidence of cancer in the south and southeast may be due to the efficiency of health care systems and their records, which are more organized and accurate in these regions.

“Of course, in the north and northeast, the underreporting of cases is significant, which compromises statistical accuracy,” the doctor notes. In addition, access to screening tests is greater in the south and southeast.

In total, the incidence of the 21 most common types of cancer in the country was estimated, two more than in the previous publication, including pancreas and liver. These cancers have been included based on global estimates and because they are a public health problem in Brazilian regions.

Liver cancer is among the top ten most common cases in the northern region, as it is associated with liver infections and chronic liver disease. Pancreatic cancer is one of the ten most common cases in the Southern region, with obesity and smoking being the main risk factors.

The most common type of malignant tumor in Brazil is non-melanoma of the skin (31.3% of all cases), followed by tumors of the breast in women (10.5%), prostate (10.2%), colon and rectum (6, 5%). lungs (4.6%) and stomach (3.1%).

The oncologist also explains that for Santa Catarina “there is a high incidence of skin tumors (melanoma and non-melanoma) due to the high percentage of the population of European origin, with repeated exposure to the sun and a higher degree of insolation. and ultraviolet radiation.

For dermatologist Martha Nora Leyva Mulet, it is important to emphasize that skin cancer does not only affect coastal populations. “The carcinogenic effect of UV radiation is also intense in the interior and in cities with high altitudes. In addition, rural workers, construction workers and others who are exposed to the sun every day and may not be aware of preventive measures are more likely to get sick,” he notes.

For the doctor, the best prevention is to avoid sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, protect yourself with sunscreen, and wear a long-sleeved T-shirt or shirts, a hat, glasses, an umbrella, and tents whenever possible.

Incidence by sex

In men, prostate cancer predominates in all regions, accounting for about 72,000 new cases each year for the next three years, second only to non-melanoma skin cancer. In regions with the highest Human Development Index (HDI), malignant tumors of the colon and rectum occupy the second or third position, and in regions with the lowest HDI, gastric cancer occupies the second or third place in terms of frequency among the male population.

In women, breast cancer is the most common (after non-melanoma skin cancer), with a forecast of 74,000 new cases per year through 2025. In more developed regions, colorectal cancer is in second place, and in those with lower HDI, cervical cancer takes this position. .

According to the oncologist, the factors contributing to the incidence of cancer are unhealthy diet, lack of regular exercise, smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, Menegotto celebrates: “I see that in practice more people are paying attention and adopting a healthier lifestyle. They are changing eating habits, avoiding or quitting smoking, striving for physical activity, and getting wellness screenings that allow for tracking and early detection.”

In addition, the doctor explains that the hereditary genetic factor is present in an average of 10% of cancers. In some cases, genetic changes, such as mutations in the BRCA1 and 2 genes, can increase the risk of disease by up to 75% (breast and ovaries). Occurrence at an earlier age and in repeated generations also points to hereditary factors.

Cancer Victory Stories

Yasmine Braz Rodriguez, 29, fashion designer, was diagnosed with breast cancer and bone metastases on May 11, 2022. She says she has a family history of the disease as her grandfather had prostate cancer and her mother’s daughter, his paternal cousin, had bowel cancer. . However, “I only found out that there were cases in the family after I told about my diagnosis,” he says.

Yasmine Braz Rodriguez has a family history of cancer – Photo: Disclosure/ND

The designer notes that “each stage is a battle and a victory at the same time,” and that the support of family, friends, and her partner helped her become stronger during her treatment. “Hello is a valuable gesture,” she says emotionally.

The designer says the treatment was very difficult in the beginning. “It is not easy to go through this cycle of baldness, without eyebrows and eyelashes due to chemotherapy, but over time I realized that everything passes and that the most important thing is inside us,” he emphasizes.

After a period of intensive treatment, Yasmin has acquired some healthy habits: “Now I put on a lot of sunscreen every day, go for walks, take better care of my nutrition, my mental and spiritual health, and I have become even more attached to God,” she emphasizes.

As soon as Yasmine learned of the diagnosis, she joined the association Amor e União Contra o Câncer (Amucc) and believes that this was necessary for her treatment. “I received food support from volunteer Caroline Marcelino, I borrowed a wig and had to sue to get expensive medicine, which I received thanks to volunteer lawyer Ana Paula Verlang,” he emphasizes.

Social worker Fabiola Naschenveng, 54, found out she had breast cancer in 2019. Photo: Disclosure/ND

Social worker Fabiola Naschenveng, 54, found out she had breast cancer in 2019 during a routine checkup. She says her sister already had breast cancer in 2007, and when she was diagnosed, she felt fearful and insecure about everything that was about to happen. “I had to undergo surgery and radiation therapy, and, fortunately, everything went well, as I was treated quickly and by excellent specialists,” she recalls.

In addition, the social worker reports that “family support was needed at all stages of treatment.” Fabiola always had preventive check-ups every year. And after he recovered from cancer, he improved his diet and began to exercise regularly. She advises people with this condition to try to focus on clinical care, seek spiritual support, religion or beliefs that each of them has. He concludes: “Hope and a positive attitude are fundamental to the healing process.”

Fernanda Bornhausen, 60, has an extensive family history of cancer – Photo: Isis Lacombe/Disclosure/ND

Psychologist, neuroscientist and founder of the online course SEDO Farmácia da Mente, 60-year-old Fernanda Bornhausen has an extensive family history of cancer in her family, as her father and uncle both had skin cancer and her brother had leukemia.

She says that at the age of 50, she started getting skin screenings due to a family history. In addition, he had many skin lesions, benign or malignant, has not yet been confirmed. At that time, she removed more than 50 neoplasms, but none of them were carcinomas.

The first diagnosed skin cancer was on her forehead, and since then she has been examined every six months. The cancer in July last year was between the nose and the lip, and Fernanda had to undergo a complex operation with many stitches. “Today I am a person who does not tan much, and when I flaunt myself, it is with a lot of protection. I don’t leave the room without putting on sunscreen,” he notes.

“From the age of 50, I began to pay more attention to my health, I included a healthy lifestyle in six pillars: a balanced diet, physical activity practices, sleep quality, healthy relationships, stress control and control of the use of toxic substances. substances, all to improve the functioning of my body and change my epigenetics, because this way you can better heal from any problem, ”he explains.

Matheus Gaio Teixeira, 36, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2019. Photo: Disclosure/ND

During a routine examination conducted in 2019, 36-year-old physical education teacher Mateus Gaio Teixeira was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He recalls that coming to terms with the disease was difficult, and it took him three days to digest it and talk about it.

“The main difficulty I faced was the people around me, who immediately, almost at parting, treated me as if I were a weakling. Even though I knew it shouldn’t be bad, I had to struggle a lot not to get infected with that kind of thinking,” he says.

On the other hand, Matheus talks about the reception he received: “From the very first moment, I was welcomed by the ways of expressing affection from my family and friends, who sent good vibrations – each according to their faith – and gave me peace of mind. to get through adversity.

The professor also reports another important move: “I felt that an inner strength was taking care of me, which motivated me to fight with the confidence that the best would happen to me.” He explains that during his battle with cancer, not all moments were easy, as some pain (both physical and psychological) pierced through him. But his good days, and thanks to his faith and the support of so many people radiating love, were the majority.

For Matheus, all the experience gained during this period made him grow as a person. He is currently involved in some social projects and tries to live more in the present, as the future is always uncertain. “I believe the best advice for anyone facing cancer comes down to one word: perseverance. Persistence means staying firm and true to your goals despite obstacles. This is the achievement of the goal through the constancy of their actions, ”he estimates.

Dave Borges, 74, M.R.C., discovered pancreatic cancer – Photo: Disclosure/ND

In December 2021, 74-year-old Dave Borges, a retired military police officer, was very concerned about his health as his urine was dark. And despite the fact that he had no relatives with cancer, the first step was to find a good doctor who diagnosed him with pancreatic head cancer.

“My treatment was difficult during the first three rounds of chemotherapy, which were given every 15 days for 6 hours,” he recalls. At the beginning of the treatment, Borges also had to go on a very strict diet: “After a few months, the food became more liberal, and today I am back to walking, which I have become accustomed to,” he explains.

The policeman says that today, after 12 sessions of chemotherapy, he already feels recovered. “Family support is everything in this situation. In addition, you need to be accompanied by a good specialist and not be afraid to face the disease, ”he emphasizes.