Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Question: Discuss about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Answer: Introduction Asia is the most populous and diverse continent of the world and with continuous socioeconomic development with the enhanced control over the communicable diseases, it is evident that the life expectancy in all the countries of Asia has remarkably increased. The risk of cancer increases with age and also with increasing urbanization, changing lifestyles and obesity changed the cancer pattern and increased the cancer burden in the Asian countries (Shen et al. 2013). Asia is known to be the home for half of the poorest population of the world and this act as a determinant as cancer is associated with both higher and lower socioeconomic conditions which contribute to the cancer burden and pattern in Asia. Despite the burden that is growing on the continent, the priority of healthcare expenditure and planning in most of the Asian countries is low (Pourhoseingholi 2012). This assignment will be on the topic An investigation into cancer rates in Asian countries, the causes, consequences an d preventative measures and will provide an extensive literature review along with the statistical data and their key significance. It is believed that the rates of cancer progression in the Asian countries are growing that has to be studied to know the consequences of the growth and the applicable preventive measures. Rates of Cancer in Asian Countries Asia is a continent with diverse cultures and the variations lie in socio-cultural traditions and practices, social norms, ethnicity and dietary customs. These factors are well reflected in the burdens and patterns of cancer in the different regions of the continent. Kimman et al. (2012) conducted a research work to reveal the most recent data available on the rates and burden of cancer prevailing in the ASEAN region. The researchers estimated that about 500,000 cases of cancer deaths and 700,000 new cases of the dreaded disease are reported every year and the majority of them include lung, liver and breast cancer. About 4 million females and 3.6 million males are living with cancer in the countries of Asia and the median age of cancer occurrence has been from 19 years to 44 years. A similar study was carried out by Park et al. (2016) to demonstrate the incidence of colorectal cancer in five countries of Asia and observed that the trend is increasing in the Asian countries chiefly due to the increased rate of colon cancer and not due to rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is recognized as the fourth most occurring cancer in the continent of Asia and was found to be the highest among the men of Korea (51.39%) and lowest among the women of Israel (26.60%). From a different perspective, the argument was continued by Zhang et al. (2011) as they carried out a research work to examine and determine the incidence of prostate cancer among the Asian men. The authors found that the mortality to incidence, mortality and incidence rates of cancer in Asian men was found to be 0.44, 59,643 and 7.2 cases per 105 per year respectively. However, Chang et al. (2014) studied the intensity of hospital spending and the outcomes of cancer in the Asian countries which was a combined argument to both the previous studies. The authors found that the hospital spending index which was the highest for colorectal cancer with 30.2% and the lowest for prostate cancer with 6.2%. From the reviewed literature, it was hypothesized that the rate of cancer is increasing in Asia and this is evident from the registered new cases and deaths. The strengths of the reviewed consisted of their accuracy of information to exhibit the menace of the disease and the weakness consisted of their validity of findings with the lack of segmentation of the incidence of the individual cancer types. Therefore, it is concluded that the majority of the cancer is among the females that start at the young age of 19 and the hospital spending is mostly on colorectal cancer. Causes of Cancer in Asian Countries The causative factors of cancer in the Asian countries consist of the socio-cultural and lifestyle factors that have caused an increase in the prevalence of breast cancer. Using smokeless tobacco in the southern and southeastern countries has increased the oral cavity cancer rates. Dietary patterns and Helicobacter pylori infection are responsible for the high prevalence of stomach cancer. In this regard, Long et al. (2012) carried out a research work and found that the risk of prostate cancer is associated with diabetes mellitus and since the disease has a high prevalence among the Asian men, it supports the development of prostate cancer. Various factors are associated with the occurrence of diabetes like family history, environmental factors and medication use duration that also affects the occurrence of prostate cancer. Therefore, alteration in any of these factors will also modify the incidence rates. Apart from this, alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are also the causative factors of cancer. Ng et al. (2015) carried on with the argument with their research work for determining the relationship that exists between the geographical regions, country income and cancer pattern in Asia and investigate the causes of cancer in the continent. The authors found that the developing countries in Asia are having a rising incidence of cancer primarily due to low fiber diet, obesity and high fat, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking and living a cancer-related lifestyle. However, Kristina, Endarti Thavorncharoensap (2016) narrowed the argument with their research work to attribute the burden of cancer to tobacco smoking in the South Asian countries. The authors found that about 22% of the cancer deaths are due to the smoking of tobacco in the low, middle and high-income countries in Asia. Lin et al. (2013) on a different perspective found that hepatitis B and C virus are the major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma or liver cancer. Only about 3 5% of the patients survive the long term suffering of liver cancer. The reviewed literature developed the hypothesis that there are several causative factors for the different types of cancer in the Asian countries. The strength of the literature was that they provided a detailed account of the various types of cancer in Asia however, with the limitation of their lack of information about their prevalence among men and women according to their causative factors, apart from prostate and breast cancer. Therefore, it can be concluded that identification of these causative factors can be vital for control of cancer in Asia. Consequences of Cancer in Asian Countries The consequences of cancer can be dreadful for a continent like Asia where there are several developing countries and cancer can further aggravate the poverty. This can be either due to the impact of the disease on the ability of the people to work or due to the cost of managing and treating the illness. In this respect, McCormack and Boffetta (2011) conducted a research work that reflected the consequences of lifestyles that can lead to the development of cancer particularly in the middle and low-income countries of Asia. This population is subjected to disposable income and open markets that make them consume alcohol, tobacco and expose them to more sedentary occupations and lifestyles. This leads to the development of prostrate, breast and colon cancer among the Asians. Kimman et al. (2015) carried on with the argument and stated that cancer could have a deleterious effect on the lives of the Asian people resulting in a financial catastrophe. Poor survival and adverse economic out comes were identified among 75% of the new patients who die within a year due to socioeconomic disadvantages and advance diagnostic stage. Kimman et al. (2012) studied the impact and consequences of cancer on an Asian context and found that the countries that lack an effective and comprehensive system of social health insurance get affected the most. Without these social safety nets, the survival, treatment costs, quality of life of the patients, their households and their economic circumstances all comes under threat. The healthcare expenditure that goes out of pocket usually exceeds 30% of the income of the household leading to economic hardship, psychological distress and illness induced poverty. Mak et al. (2014) carried out a study on a positive note to mark the consequences of cancer which posed work related challenges that are faced by the survivors of cancer. The unintended social consequences have also been discussed by the authors to exhibit the interaction between the cancer survivors and their workplace. From the literature, a hypothesis can be deduced which states that cancer can have its consequences in every aspect of life. The strength of the literature was the detailed investigation of the impact of cancer on the lives of the patient and the weakness of the literature was the lack of information on the medical consequences of cancer management that includes the adverse reactions. Therefore, on the conclusion, it can be stated that the dreadful consequences of cancer not only affects the patient personally but also on a professional scale. Preventive Measures of Cancer in Asian Countries The emerging and existing cancer burden and patterns in the various Asian countries require its political recognition as an important problem of public health. Balanced investment is also essential in the professional and public awareness. To stress more on the preventive measures, D'cruz et al. (2013) conducted a research work to state that the preventive measure of head and neck cancer is largely dependent on the site and stage of the tumor. Appropriate treatment due to early diagnosis is crucial for increasingly the likelihood of survival and cure. From the perspectives of hepatocellular carcinoma, Han et al. (2011) opined that ablation or surgery are the curative therapies for the disease that can prevent its spreading in the body of the Asian patients. Palliative treatment with guidelines and staging systems can be the affective measure along with chemotherapy by hepatic arterial infusion and external radiation. The outcome of the treatment is largely dependent on the size of th e tumor and the preventive measure is dependent on the status of the tumor-like extrahepatic spread and major vessel invasion. Going on with the argument, Monn, Tatem Cheng (2016) found that prostate cancer has adopted an aggressive mode in the Asian men that requires adequate preventive measures. This begins with the screening process with biomarkers and pathological evaluations help in the early identification of cancer which can be adopted as a preventive measure. This can be economically beneficial for the patient and can make the management of the disease more effective and rapid. A further argument was raised by Yeoh et al. (2013) for the prevention of lymphoblastic leukemia with supportive care and risk-directed treatment. Educational programs and social support can improve the substantial outcome of the treatment. For the children and adult, optimum treatment results can be obtained by integrating oncology treatment with palliative treatment. From the reviewed literature, it can be hypothesized that different types of cancers require different preventive measures. The strength of the reviewed literature lies on the fact that various novel preventive measures have been discussed for various types of cancers however, the limitation is that there is a dearth of information on the adaptation of the preventive measures during different stages of cancer. Therefore, it can be concluded by stating that appropriate implementation of the preventive measures is crucial for the effective management of cancer in the Asian context. Conclusion On critically appraising the literature on the research topic of prevalence and control of cancer in Asian countries, it can be stated that several hypotheses arise from the rates, causes, consequences and preventive measures of cancer in Asia. On critical examination, it can be concluded that the mortality rates due to cancer in Asia are increasing with few of cancer having higher prevalence compared to few of the cancers that have a lower proportion of occurrence. The progress has to be checked especially in the developing countries to prevent the spread of the disease and improve the public health of the community with appropriate medical interventions and developed healthcare policies. References Chang, T., Huang, K., Chang, C., Lin, C., Su, Y. Lee, C. 2014, "The association of hospital spending intensity and cancer outcomes: a population-based study in an Asian country",The oncologist,vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 990-998. 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