A large group of diseases that can start in any organ or tissue of the body, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. An expert shares his insights on how age plays an important role when it comes to cancer. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases characterised by abnormal cell development that divide in multiples uncontrollably, destroying normal body tissues.
According to the website of World Health Organization (WHO), "cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or 1 in 6 deaths, in 2018". The WHO also mentions that the cancer burden continues to grow globally, "exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems".
The causes for cancer are complex and many but age seems to play a significant role. Dr Vinay Bhatia, Head of Molecular Biology & Genomics, Oncquest Laboratories Ltd, shares his take on the relationship between age and cancer and steps people can take to prevent or manage the disease. How Age Plays A Role Dr Vinay Bhatia explains that cancer increases with age because the older you get, the more time it takes for abnormal cells to build up.
"Anyone can get cancer, but it is rare at a young age. Most of the cases of cancer are in people aged 50 and above. Understanding the interplay between age and cancer is crucial for providing personalised care and improving patient outcomes," D.
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