Cancer

Clinical depression was much more prevalent among cancer patients than in the general population, where around 2% of people suffer from the mental illness at any point in time. Among cancer patients, clinical depression ranged from 13% in people with lung cancer to 6% in people with genitourinary cancer. The study's lead author Michael Sharpe, from Oxford University, said: "Major depression is really quite common in people with cancer and the perhaps surprising finding is that most of it goes…

Right and timely treatment can keep both mother and baby safe. Dr D.G. Vijay, Breast Cancer Specialist recalls a case of gestational breast cancer. Mrs. AK was overjoyed when her obstetrician told her that she was pregnant. She had been undergoing infertility treatment for a long time with no success. Only a few years ago, her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she wished to see her grandchild before anything happened to her. But Mrs AK’s joy was short- lived as she…

“TO LIVE in the hearts of those we leave behind is never to die,” said Robert Orr. Forty seven-year-old Mahesh Mahadevan, composer and music director, who passed away on October 29, 2002, has certainly immortalized himself in the hearts of his friends, admirers, associates, music lovers and film goers thanks to his contributions to the field of music. http://propelsteps.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/tribute-man-who-revived-life-with-music-mahesh-mahadevan/

 Excess weight linked to 10 different cancers Cancers have many causes – some of them genetic and some environmental. But the researchers, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Farr Institute of Health Informatics, have taken account of all the other factors involved in order to come up with a good estimate of the actual number of cancers that could be prevented if people kept to a normal weight. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/14/excess-weight…

There are no early stage diagnostics for ovarian cancer and by the time they are discovered, they may not respond to standard cancer treatments.  But a new research from A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) and the Bioinformatics Institute (BII) have found new clues to early detection and personalized treatments of ovarian cancer, thus offering hope to millions of women who might be susceptible to it. Their findings were published online in Nature Cell Biology in July…

Abnormally dry skin? Change in hair colour or shape of your nails? Even simple changes in the body may signify an underlying problem that you need to get checked out. By Dr Gita Mathai, paediatrician and family practitioner, shares tips to help you stay vigilant. The Skin should be a healthy colour.  • If it turns yellow, you may have jaundice.  • If it looks pale, get checked for anaemia. Here's how to manage iron-deficient anaemia. • Excessively cracked and…

Cancer survivor Lam Yi-ning is only 12 years old. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was just seven. She underwent brain surgery, four chemotherapy sessions and 30 radiotherapy sessions. Despite frequent headaches and impaired vision, Lam spends a lot of time helping others through volunteer work. She is one of the top 10 "warriors" named by the Regeneration Society - and the youngest to be honoured in the group's 17-year history  http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/…

Chemotherapy can have different roles in treatment of cancer. It is important to understand the role of the chemotherapy prescribed for the patient. Dr. Kriti Mittal MD, MS Hematology and Medical Oncology explains the roles - curative, non-curative, palliative and adjuvant. It is important to understand the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of your cancer. In some cases of localized or locally advanced cancer that has not yet spread to distant organs, your health care provider may chose to…

“Cancer patients in India are not just dealing with a major disease, they have to also deal with the stigma that comes with it” - Dr Purvish Parikh, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist; Health Activist and Editor in Chief at JASCAP Utsa Shah attends a cancer patients meet at Tata Memorial Hospital and experiences the truth of the statement. A middle-aged lady holding her 15-year-old kid’s hand, her eyes watery, said, “My kid is not allowed to play with other children.…

In the words of Kamini Pradhan, a featured Ovarian cancer crusader Family and friends have a major role to play in the treatment of a cancer patient. A cancer patient can be supported in the following ways :- MENTAL / EMOTIONAL  SUPPORT 1.  Acceptance – Do not be in denial mode. Know and understand the implications of the disease so that you can help the patient in getting the best treatment. 2.  Positivity   -  Please remember in this…