Cancer is a medical condition characterized by abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth. The cells rapidly reproduce into masses of cell tissues called tumors, which grow and interfere with the normal operation of various body systems. Tumors also release hormones that inhibit the normal physiological functioning of the cells.
There are over 100 different types of cancer classified based on the affected body tissues. Cancer is rated the second leading cause of death after heart complications in the United States of America. However, different types of cancer can be prevented through healthy lifestyles and vaccination. The state of New York has made slight adjustments to the previous national cancer goals. The national goals aim at encouraging and developing research in new forms of treatment for cancer as well as rapid cancer detection techniques (Maternal, Infant, and Child Health, n. d.). On the other hand, the cancer goals for New York target to reduce the new forms of the disease as well as the various disabilities and body deformations resulting from cancer. The goals also aim at cutting down the overall cancer mortality rates.
Significant progress has been made so far by the state of New York towards fighting cancer. The United States preventive services have initiated free cancer screening and diagnosis in partnership with New York State Community Health Service Program (NYSCHSP). Extensive lobbying is carried out to encourage both men and women to go for a free screening.
Cancer treatment is expensive. In this regard, the state of New York using the New York State Cancer Treatment Program (NYSCTP) caters for screening, diagnosis, and treatment for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer in both men and women who do not have medical insurance cover. The development of the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) has been considered a major boost in the fight against cancer both nationally and by the state of New York (Maternal, Infant, and Child Health, n. d.). The vaccine has largely helped reduce the instances of cancer cases as well as the development of new forms of cancer.
The state of New York faces various challenges in attaining its goals of fighting cancer. Despite the extensive cancer awareness programs, people still perceive cancer as a “death warrant”. Due to this psychological perception, most people are still not free to go for screening and diagnosis. This makes it hard to identify the cancer cases for treatment.
The economic constraint is also a major challenge towards the achievement of the state’s goals against cancer. Cancer diagnosis and treatment carried out are expensive. Most citizens do not have medical cover, hence they cannot afford the same treatment unless supported by the state. Right from screening, research, vaccination through to treatment, a lot of money is spent on the same.
The coordination of staff and mobilization of community health service against cancer requires the spending of huge amounts of money. This weighs down heavily on the state’s economy as more costs are directed towards the control of cancer (Maternal, Infant, and Child Health, n. d.).
The final challenge faced in this battle against cancer is the unwillingness of people to change lifestyles. Excess weight and obesity are major lifestyles that act as predisposing factors for cancer, which can be prevented as well as other challenges. However, most people are adamant to abandon the lifestyles they are used to despite the much-publicized cancer awareness. This makes the prevention of cancer ineffective as initially intended.
Reference
Maternal, Infant, and Child Health. (n. d.). Web.