I was having lunch at Kovan today when I noticed there was a National Cancer Centre Singapore roadshow between Heartland Mall and the hawker center. :) Little did I know that I’d meet Nurse Audrey once again. I interviewed her last year for an article on the National Cancer Centre Singapore (click on the link to read). It was wonderful meeting her again – she couldn’t quite recognize me but she remembers (doing) the kungfu pose. Hahaha!
I was told that the roadshow was held at Toa Payoh last week, then Kovan today, and Hougang next week. So folks, if you’re staying in Hougang, look forward to this pretty fun event! :) Check out the prizes we won from the various booths at the roadshow:
Plushies, tissue packs, notepads, and “syringes” that are actually highlighters and pens :) I think those syringes are so cool XD
I enjoyed this game the most:
And in this blogpost, I’ll share with you what I’ve learnt from this roadshow. If you have any queries regarding cancer, call the Helpline at 6225 5655.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer begins when cells divide and grow beyond control and no longer function normally.
*Metastatic refers to the migration of cancer cells from the original tumor site through the blood and lymph vessels to produce cancers in other parts of the body. When this happens, the cancer is classified as stage 4 cancer.
What Causes Cancer?
“The exact cause of cancer is unknown but there are some factors that increase the risk”
- Lifestyle: Smoking causes nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, larynx (voicebox) and liver.
- Diet: High-fat diet. Obesity increases risk of cancer of the prostate, pancreas, uterus, colon and ovary.
- Environment: Chemicals, Ultraviolet rediation, Infectious agents
- Family history: Usually skin, breast, ovary and colon cancers.
Take note of these signs:
In Singapore, the most common cancer for males is colorectal cancer, and for females, breast cancer. However, more men die from lung cancer than from colorectal cancer (see next board).
How To Reduce Risk Of Cancer?
Adopt a healthier lifestyle: at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, reduce salt and sugar intake, avoid deep-fried food and choose foods of plant origin, quit smoking and limit consumption of alcohol, and eat at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
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Prevention and early detection is key, so do go for regular health screenings, ok? If you find yourself coming up with excuses like “I don’t have the time”, well, I’ve recently read in a book that you can change this excuse to “Health is not my priority” and tell other people this instead. It just might prompt you to take that step you’ve been unwilling to take. *wink*
