The cancer terror
Considering the alarming proportions to which cancers
of numerous parasitic kinds seem to be spreading in this country
today, the use of the epithet ‘terror’ in this connection, we
believe, is most appropriate. Deaths from cancer are fast
approximating the one-time killing rate of even the LTTE, and
this aspect too contributes to the appropriateness of our
adjective.
Not so long ago, a medical authority put the ratio of
contacting cancer in this country to one in every four persons,
and this, he said, is identical to the ratio pertaining to the
contracting of mental illnesses in Sri Lanka today. That is,
cancer and mental disease are growing in tandem. We need to
think on these things as we move along the development
trajectory and we hope our front page lead story yesterday on
the ‘Cancer bombshell’ would have had the desired effect of
jolting policy-makers and the public out of their complacency
about these ills of our times.
Despite the extensive research being put into cancer, the
answer to this terror seems to be eluding the comprehension and
the solution-finding capability of mankind and this is a great
disappointment of our times. Right now, it would be best to take
maximum precautions against contracting the disease and women in
particular, should be provided the most essential facilities to
the greatest extent possible, to protect themselves against this
scourge. For instance, screening facilities against the disease
should be provided for women and the latter should be in a
position to easily access them. Women should also, ideally,
submit to such screening as frequently as possible.
The medical authorities of this country are yet to come out
with an unambiguous assessment on the issue of whether cancer is
on an exceptionally upward trend now and we hope they would be
more forthcoming on this score. If the spread of cancer is
indeed phenomenal we need clear-cut answers on why it is so. An
unambiguous position on this issue will enable the health
authorities to take the necessary counter-measures to contain
the spread of the contagion. They could also be more forthcoming
on the dos and don’ts that need to be adopted in everyday life
to keep the terror at bay.
As laymen we could hazard the theory that cancer and neurosis
are causally linked with the pace and quality of contemporary
living. We may be wrong here but expert opinion is currently
gravitating to the view that a more balanced lifestyle could
keep the spectre of ill-health from the door. For instance,
people do need more healthy leisure time activities and physical
exercise for the sound functioning of their bodies.
In the case of mental illnesses, the causal link between pace
of living and neuroses of various kinds is now sufficiently
clear. To the extent to which people’s perceived needs multiply,
to the same degree do they stretch every sinew and nerve to
achieve them. This would result in constant internal tension and
turmoil, which would inevitably impact badly on the mental
health of the individual. Likewise, the spread of
cardio-vascular disease, particularly among the young, is
causally linked to the pace and frenzy of daily living. Inner
tension and morbid states of mind leave an indelible and harmful
impact on the health of the human.
All this and more should enable us to place our fingers on
what has gone wrong with life as it is led today by the majority
of our people. And the diseases under discussion spare no-one.
Not even the villagers of the pastoral greens who at one time we
thought were living in the most wholesome of climes and were,
therefore, spared the horrors of ill-health which were at one
time considered the preserve of the urban dweller and the more
affluent among us. No more is this true. ‘Colombo 7 diseases’
are haunting and increasingly afflicting the hearths and humble
homes of even the most distant rural dwellers. Diabetes and
heart disease, for instance, today spare no-one; except for
those who cultivate healthy lifestyles.
So, the cancer conundrum is not at all difficult unravel, it
seems. The social and cultural milieu in which we live and have
our being currently, spawns disease and death and only
wholesome, happy living would restore to people inner peace and
lives free of ill-health. People need to guard against that
fatal tendency to submit to fast living that may help them to
fulfill some of what are seen as their needs but rob them
savagely of wholesomeness.
The moment seems to have come for the religions of this land
to make a more bold and concerted effort to put their following
on the path to holy and healthy living. They need to be more
forthright and take the leadership in enabling the people to
experience inner peace and joy. Besides, we need to perceive
that although material fulfillment is needed, emotional
stability is more essential. |