Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration made the first gene therapy - CAR-T Cell Therapy available in the United States, ushering in a new approach to the treatment of cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases. The FDA approved Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for certain pediatric and young adult patients with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). “We’re entering a new frontier in medical innovation with the ability to reprogram a patient’s own cells to attack a deadly cancer,”…

A clinical trial update on long term research carried out on patients with advanced gastro intestinal stromal tumours 10% of patients with advanced and aggressive GIST cancer have survived more than 10 years after treatment with one of the first successful targeted cancer drugs. They are living free of any progression of their cancer. These are based on long-term results from a major international clinical trial of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) a decade after…

Dr Shruti Mohanka, a fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Global hospital in Mumbai helps us understand how fertility preservation should addressed for all young male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a critical element of improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Young children and young adults often survive cancer and may wish to have families in the future. They and their families need to be aware that preserving fertility is an option. Too…

This #BreastFeedingAwareness Week, let us remind ourselves about the benefits of breast feeding through this simple Infographic.  We all know breast feeding helps strengthen the bond between the mother and child. But there are other clear health benefits too. Breast feeding helps provide the necessary nutrition to the baby and build the baby's immunity as well as reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and obesity for the mother.  For more details read the complete article…

Tarak Sarkar shares his experience of Stem Cell Therapy and how he managed to handle it. Please tell us a bit about your condition  In April 2016, my CT guided biopsy revealed that my previously Low grade Follicular Lymphoma had got transformed into higher grade DLBCL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL or DLBL) is a cancer of B cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. When were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed with Low grade Follicular Lymphoma which was…

On World Lung Cancer Day, consultant respirologist at Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital Dr Lancelot Pinto highlights 10 common symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer accounts for about 13 per cent of all new cancers in India, with smoking being by far the leading cause of the disease. Individuals who currently smoke, or have smoked in the past, those who have a family history of lung cancers, and those who have been exposed at work to asbestos are at a particularly high risk for lung cancer, compared to…

According to a study being conducted by the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, yoga has a positive impact on breast cancer survivors, especially in domains related to fatigue, emotional score, pain management, compliance to treatment and improves overall quality of life. An interview with Dr Nita Nair who led the study. The Department of Surgical Oncology, Breast Disease Management Group and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai recently undertook a study on cancer and yoga. The study was led by…

Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body. Art and craft is a source of healing the mind and body. Creative pursuits can be transformed into healing arts, which, in turn, transform you. "He who works with his hands is a laborer; He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; He who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist." Francis of Assisi The healing powers of…

Usha Jesudasan, who is affected by polio, diabetes and breast cancer, is a prolific writer of inspirational books and articles. Here, she advises on a holistic approach to cope with the diagnosis of chronic illness and move forward without letting life crumble. Sitting across from the doctor’s table, I hear him say something. “It is what we call a chronic disease.” 1. Your Attitude Matters Chronic disease? The doctor explained: “A chronic disease is one which continues for a long time. There is…

Do you think it is possible to find joy and motivation in cancer? Neelam Kumar, who battled breast cancer twice, began her quest for a happy ending that culminated with India’s first humorous book on cancer.  Her belief - Write Your Own Life Script. You have become popular as the author of India's first humorous book on Cancer, ‘To Cancer With Love – My Journey of Joy’. How did you embark on this idea? I did not consciously set out to write India’s first humorous book on cancer. In fact I…