Cancer is largely preventable: by stopping smoking, providing healthy food and avoiding exposure to carcinogens. Some of most frequent cancer types are curable by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The chance of cure increases substantially if cancer is detected early. Quality of life of cancer patients and their families can be greatly improved by provision of palliative care. Cancer control is a public health approach aimed at reducing causes and consequences of cancer by translating our knowledge into practice.

Recommendations from World Health Organisation concerning cancer include action in following areas:

· minimising or eliminating exposure to cancer causes · reducing individual susceptibility to effects of these causes · serving greatest public health potential · identifying most cost-effective long-term cancer control · tobacco control · obesity control · control of composition of diet · control of consumption of alcoholic beverages

The World Health Organisation sees cancer prevention programmes as part of integrated, national strategies. The risks they identify for cancer above are common to all noncommunicable diseases including heart, diabetes and respiratory problems. Prevention programmes for all chronic diseases are able to use same surveillance and health promotion techniques. According to WHO recognised causes of cancer include:

Watercress is rich in Vitamins A and C, iron, iodine and phosphorus. It can be used in treatment of: skin problems bronchitis winter colds or flu liver or kidney fatigue sinusitis Watercress has been used as part of a holistic response to cancer of lungs, larynx, esophagus, prostate, bladder, uterus, stomach and intestines.

DANGERS: Watercress may cause cystitis in some people and its medicinal use is not advised for those who have a delicate stomach or suffer from acidosis or heartburn. Excessive or prolonged use can lead to kidney problems. Some doctors advise against its use during pregnancy.

Wild watercress often grows in streams inhabited by water snails which carry liver fluke. There is also possibility of bacterial infection. Eating wild watercress in a raw state is not advised for this reason. Cooking leaves for a short period removes dangers.