It is natural that though so many things happen around, one does not take notice of it unless it affects one. We read about so many road accidents, petrol and vegetable price increases, amendments to laws, traffic diversions..., unless you are impacted, we don't feel that it deserves a second look and pass on to the next item in the newspaper.
Such is the case of my interest in diseases- there are innumerable diseases in the world and why is that I am suddenly focusing on this. I have occasion to observe people suffering from this dreaded disease, which starts unobtrusively, with little signs and invariably when you start noticing it, one has gone miles with this. Immediate lesson-1: Never ignore symptoms like sudden weight reduction, exhaustion, loss of appetite and persistent cough. Cancer is one, which , if detected early, is CURABLE, so watch out.
The diseases demands a lot of medical attention, which is time consuming and costly. The chemo therapy and the radiation weakens the patient considerably and if you have had decent habits, the ingrown strong immune system supports you against this medical onslaught. Slowly the patient also faces the side effects of the medical war and it takes not only money and strong immune system, but a lot of family support also to help the patient to face this.
One visit to a cancer hospital could convert any guy to a Budha, The cancer ward i saw was filled with children - not aware of what has hit them and blissfully playing with the toy, occasionally wincing under the pain of the jab of the injection needle; students and office going youths - clad in their jean pants- covering their balding pate, in a hurry for the Chemo to complete to go for their daily chores- you must see the worried look of the parents with them to believe this ! Office goers- whose sufferings were more compounded by the cost and continuity of their jobs rather than the diseases; the old- with their sagging immune system and their suffering ward behind. Really heart wrenching. All these go through the ordeal of this, only with hope in mind, as the medicine system is yet to be perfected for this suffering.
The suffering and the pangs deepen, when one is afflicted with this for no fault of theirs . The main culprits for this are supposed to be smoking and alcohol.
A study reported in the Times of India today says that : "Cigarette smoke starts damaging one's basic element of life viz., Genes-within 30 minutes of inhaling it. The carcinogen of tobacco smoke starts causing adverse changes in the genetic structure of the person within 15-30 minutes of taking a puff and this carcinogen forms toxins in blood , called 'Trash DNA' which induces adverse genetic structure or mutation , thus exposing the person to the risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer kills 3000 people in the world each day and 90% of this toll is due to cigarette smoking. The report concludes saying that this should serve as a stark warning to those who are considering starting to smoke cigarettes".
I was somewhat shaken up by the study report as I had already exposure to the above mentioned cancer ward. By lighting a cigarette for few puffs, which is unjustifiably claimed by the smokers "to relax and reduce tensions", what are you leaving for your near and dear ones? A rude shock about your health which is likely to deteriorate any time, the accompanying costs leading to uncertainty, consequential impact on their plans, the trauma of the suffering and the hastening of your own end ! Is this necessary?
Can't we live without this? In my opinion, nothing worth its salt is being achieved by lighting a cigarette. You are not striking a match to light up a cigar- but only to burn the comforts, lives and plans of your spouse, sons and daughter. It is also reported that smokes inflicts the same sufferings on the innocent passive smokers, who happened to be in the vicinity , when you smoke ! What right have you got to smoke out others' lives?
Leave it now - Stomp the cancer stick that you have in your hand NOW and never look for this again. Let this not be one of the many new year resolutions, to be resolved again the next new year. Do it in your own interest, in the interest of your own near and dear ones and in the interest of mother earth !
Your own cigarette seller also agrees and has printed, on the pack you buy to make him richer, "Smoking is injurious to health". At least listen to this hypocritical advertisement at the right place by the wrong people!
Added on 20-Jan-2011:
I found this interesting article , while going through tweets. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12193602
Read on.
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