Cancer is the Second Cause of Death in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 5 (acn) Cancer is once again the second cause of death in Cuba since 2012 after heart ailments said on Wednesday in Havana a specialist of the Health Ministry.

Dr. Gisela Abreu, specialist at the Cancer Control Section of the Health Ministry told the Cuban News Agency that according to estimates in six provinces the death rate of malignant tumors grew compared to 2014.

The provinces are Pinar del Rio, Mayabeque, Villa Clara, Camaguey, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba said the specialist.

Dr. Abreu said the age group with the cancerous tumors range from 60 to 74 years of age constituting the first cause of death and second in over 75.

She added that the illness is a growing problem in the continent and in the world mainly due to the ageing of the population and change of life styles increasing the risk factors.

Among the most common modifications for cancer which also includes other non-transmittable ailments like smoking, alcohol, lack of physical activities and low consumption of vegetables and fruit.

There are other chronic infections by the papilloma virus –cervix cancer-, hepatitis B and C for the liver and Hilicobacter pylori bacteria of the stomach.

According to estimates, if the risk factors are reduced the malignant tumors can be prevented in 30 to 40 percent of the cases, others can be detected on time and treated with special programs.

Cancer is the second cause of death in the Americas and it is estimated that 2.8 million people are diagnosed and 1.3 million die each year.

There are approximately 52 percent of new cases and 35 deaths due to cancer occur in people under 65 years of age.

If preventive measures and control are not taken new cases will increase to over 4 million and 1.9 million people will die by the year 2025, according to the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.

Among the cancers that are highlighted are lung, prostate and colon in men and in women, breast, lung and cervix.

Under the slogan, ""We can, I can", the PAHO joins the international community to commemorate February 4th, World Day against Cancer aimed at promoting and demonstrating ways for people to reduce the cancer rate.