Cancer is ‘not beyond us’

Put on your pink and kiss that cancer goodbye. This year, it is under the tagline ‘Not beyond us’.

According to Health Guidance here is a list of the top 5 deadliest cancers:

1. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer accounts for 28.3% of all cancer related deaths putting it as the number one killer cancer. Worldwide it is responsible for nearly 1.5 million deaths a year. It is of course characterized by cell growth in the lung tissues and the nearby tissue eventually. These forms of cancer are carcinomas which come from the epithelial cells.

FILE PICTURE: Mario Oriani-Ambrosini. Ambrosini is a member of parliament on behalf of the Inkatha-Freedom party. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in April 2013, and travelled abroad to seek help from scientists. It is not yet clear whether or not the ‘illegal’ treatment was successful. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nasief Manie)

2. Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is colorectal cancer which takes place in the colon – the last part of the digestive system which is responsible for extracting water and salt from waste before elimination. Growths confined to the colon will usually be diagnosed through a colonoscopy and are often treatable.

Sharon Osbourne was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

3. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a cancer with a lot of publicity and it is responsible for 7.4% of cancer related deaths. Of course this cancer affects the tissue of the breasts and is actually able to affect both men and women, though it is more likely to affect women. Most commonly the cancer will originate in the inner lining of the milk ducts or alternatively the lobules which supply those ducts with milk.

Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and granddaughter Zoleka Mandela are pictured at the launch of Zoleka’s book “When Hope Whispers” at Emperors Palace, 12 November 2013. The book is Zoleka’s story of healing and deals with her decade-long addiction to cocaine and alcohol, the tragic death of her 13-year-old daughter, Zenani in 2010, the loss, less than a year later, of her newborn son, Zenawe and being diagnosed with cancer and having to undergo a double mastectomy a few months later. Picture: Yolanda van der Stoep

4. Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the US and across the rest of the world and accounts for 6% of such deaths. The condition has a poor prognosis when compared to other cancers at all stages and only 6% of cases survive past five years.

Steve Jobs had Pancreatic cancer

5. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer causes 5.1% of cancer deaths and is of course cancer which develops in the prostate tissue. The prostate is the gland in the male reproductive system which secretes and stores alkaline fluid which is milky and white in appearance and gives semen its color and texture while also helping to expel it during ejaculation.

Former president Nelson Mandela suffered from Prostate cancer.

A photo taken on August 25, 2010 shows former South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela posing with a copy of the US edition of his book “Conversations with Myself” in this handout photograph released by the Nelson Mandela Foundation on October 11, 2010. AFP PHOTO / NELSON MANDELA FOUNDATION PHOTO / Debbie Yazbek

This is what Twitter had to say about World Cancer Day:

Today on #WorldCancerDay, make it the day you reach out to someone. Visit http://t.co/6c0UOslDRY pic.twitter.com/rLQUxXwtKg

— Macmillan Cancer Support (@macmillancancer) February 4, 2015

Get informed about cancer myths and stigmas #WorldCancerDay #NotBeyondUs @campaign4cancer @ThePinkDrive pic.twitter.com/Nvzy6SGE4K RT

— Social South Africa (@SocialSA_) February 4, 2015

Early detection can save lives. On #WorldCancerDay make sure you follow our checklist & know what normal feels like: pic.twitter.com/8vf2ZNvSa6

— Breast Cancer Now (@BreastCancerNow) February 4, 2015

Today is #WorldCancerDay.
Find out facts on #cancer here http://t.co/PVhMzxzMfy pic.twitter.com/OPIeWuTA2s

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 4, 2015

For more information, go to the official CANSA site.