Ever since we were young, we were constantly cautioned about diseases and their effects on our health. Going to school, subjects like Basic Science, Health Education and then Biology didn't fail to let us know more about the realities of this we've been cautioned about. Sadly, disease still has a place in our world, taking several lives year in and year out.
We could ask, What is wrong? What could be done right? As much as we want to be free from diseases; of course, I believe no one would want to catch any disease or sickness, then I guess it starts with our attitudes and efforts. More than just the knowledge, the consciousness and will to fight and stand against these diseases that continue to take lives must be in place.
It's known that there are numerous diseases in our world today. It seems that as time grows and we become advanced, there's an influx of diseases as well. Perhaps, they were already in place, silently destroying lives without even being recognised for what they are. So, maybe the advancements we have today tend to aid us in recognising them through viable research, or that new ones are coming alive, and that, maybe because of some of these advancements.
The prompt asks if I had the power to create a cure for a disease, which one would it be and why? Now, that will be a wonderful reality. Much to my delight if I had that power, much would it be if I could provide a cure for five diseases, ten diseases, all the diseases. Since we're sticking to one, I guess there's one that tends to draw my heart when I read this prompt.
Research has shown that the global mortality rate of cancer approximates an estimated number of 9.7 million deaths in 2022, with approximately 1 in 9 and 1 in 12 women dying from the disease－Source; World Health Organisation (WHO).
That's a statistic to catch any heart with a burden. For a disease that seems to have no general cure, or even when there seems to be a cure, it comes with conditions and complications and the type of cancer involved.
It's been recorded that there are more than 100 types of cancer, the most common being prostate, breast, colon and rectum, and lung cancers－Source; World Health Organisation (WHO).
There's a growing level of cancer even with the sophisticated level of our healthcare. This makes it something to wonder why. This brought me to the knowledge of some of the causes of death due to cancer.
This includes, alcohol consumption, use of tobacco, lack of engagement in physical activity, low consumption of fruit and vegetables and then overweight－Source; World Health Organisation (WHO).
With such devastating effects from the disease, I guess it would be the route for me to take were I to have the power to eradicate a disease in our world. I've heard and seen from representations in movies how this is ravaging lives, causing many to lose their loved ones. Highly, due to the complications involved in treatment and the tendency to be cured. Many don't realise they are infected till it gets to a stage that a cure becomes difficult or impossible. But what if there was a cure?
A cure will mean a lot. The rate of mortality will be reduced to a great level by this cure. So, I don't know if this power will be some superhero kind of thing or a medicinal effort. Whatever the case or the path, it would be a worthy one to take and help bring that cure that would save and help lives.
Images are AI generated.