CANCER

Cancer Prevention and Risk Communication

Cancer Prevention and Risk Communication

Introduction

Cancer is a group of diseases in which the body produces an excess of cells malignant (known as carcinogens or cancer), with growth and division beyond the normal limits (invasion of tissue surrounding and sometimes metastasis). Metastasis is the spread at a distance, mainly via lymphatic or blood of cancer originating in cells, and growth of new tumors in locations that target metastasis. These properties differentiate malignant from benign tumors, which are limited and do not invade or metastasize. Normal cells to feel the contact with neighboring cells inhibit reproduction, but the malignant cells do not have this brake. Most cancers form tumors, but some do not (such as leukemia).

In the context of cancer prevention, risk communication involves several elements: a focus on behavioral, environmental, and/or genetic risks; discussion of risks and benefits of various cancer screening procedures; and possibly genetic counseling for those with a family history of cancer. This kind of risk communication is a form of science and technology communication. Health-related risk and cancer information is communicated about by many individuals from physicians to scientists to journalists to patients, and clarity of the information is crucial to ensuring that informed decision making takes place. Furthermore, because cancer is both a leading cause of death and preventable with change in several behavioral risk factors (such as smoking), communication about cancer risk to the general public is of considerable importance. This entry discusses types of cancer prevention activities for which effective risk communication is essential, theories about the perception of health risks, communication between doctors and patients (particularly the exchange of information, discussion of risks and benefits of cancer screening, and shared decision making), and factors affecting the efficacy of health communication about risk.

Discussion

While much discussion of gender in medical research focuses on improving healthcare for women, consideration of gender differences can also benefit men. Whereas women's cancer/heart attacks are more likely to be missed because heart disease is considered a “men's illness,” men can also suffer from diseases traditionally considered “women's illnesses.” Researchers also have yet to significantly explore men's health disadvantages, such as why men have a lower life expectancy than women, why male babies are twice as likely to die at birth, or why outcomes are less favorable for men in certain types of cancer.

These issues considered, should guide the state and all organizations working on the issue of sexual and reproductive rights in a comprehensive way, not to deepen the current gaps, if not focus attention to men and women as part of a whole, for the inequalities are concealed biological differences (genetic, hereditary and physiological, etc.), as well as socio-cultural patterns based on criteria, prejudices, stereotypes and customs are based on a risk and lead to situations of disadvantage and health or sickness, causing the family, couple or health institutions limit the enjoyment and full exercise of that right being equal.

Men and women experience different patterns and manifestations of illness beyond the obvious variation in diseases of ...