This morning sign can be a symptom of Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide
Cancer is a deadly disease which unfortunately does not show any signs in the beginning. As per the latest information from the World Health Organisation (WHO), released on February 3, 2022, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers.
Expert links persistent cough in morning with cancer
Cough is the trigger sign for a number of diseases including common ones like fatigue and severe ones like cancer. Though persistent coughing as soon as you wake up may be a sign of some other complications, its association with cancer can not be ruled out, especially if you have a habit of smoking. "Smokers often wake up with a cough in the morning. However, a persistent cough for longer than two weeks should be checked out. Especially if you smoke," Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click has told an international journal.
Waking up with a sore throat that is "persistent" and has been there for over two weeks with no signs of improving is a telltale sign, the expert has warned.
What causes cancer?
As per WHO physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and biological carcinogens, like certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites cause cancer.
Cancer happens when the normal cells inside a human body transform into tumour cells. The severity of cancer increases at multi-stage levels beginning from pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour.
What are the various risk factors for cancer?
Use of tobacco, drinking alcohol, eating an unhealthy diet, having less physical activity and air pollution are the risk factors for cancer. Some chronic infections also advance to cancer. WHO says, approximately 13% of cancers diagnosed in 2018 globally were attributed to carcinogenic infections, including Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and Epstein-Barr virus.
How can one prevent cancer?
One can cut down the risk of cancer by following a healthy lifestyle which includes a balanced diet, not having tobacco and alcohol, getting vaccinated, and avoiding ultraviolet radiation exposure.