A recent qualitative study evaluated the challenges of accessing health care for childhood cancer in India and the effect this had on treatment of children and impact on caregivers. In an email interview, Dr Neha Faruqui in consultation with other experts helped address questions raised by PatientsEngage.
Childhood cancers such as leukemia, retinoblastoma and meningiomas are commonly seen in India for the age group of 18 and under. The time period between the first onset of symptoms to…
While there is a lot of talk on depression, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions about it. Psychiatrist Dr. Sweta Sheth from Bengaluru sheds light on some of the common myths. As a psychiatrist, depression is one of the most common illnesses I see and treat. I call it an illness, because it is one. A serious, sometimes debilitating illness, which often remains hidden and undiagnosed. It’s not just a state of being sad or low when things aren’t going right for you. We see it…
When we are engaged in our own health, we ensure better quality of life. This Universal Health Coverage Day, let's Keep the Promise to Inform, Engage and Empower Patients and Caregivers This UHC day let's promote health literacy and patient involvement in clinical decision making. #HealthForAll #UHCDay #UniversalHealthCoverageDay
Today, with excellent diagnosis and medicines, Multiple Sclerosis patients can lead an almost normal life, was the message upheld by all participating neurologists and MSSI at a recent medical seminar. There was optimism that rang through at the Multiple Sclerosis medical seminar held at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital recently. All the speakers emphasised on how there has been a paradigm shift for the better in diagnosis, treatment and overall management of multiple sclerosis (MS) in…
In India, especially in field of cancer care, family caregivers often ask the doctors to not tell the patients the diagnosis, the staging and the expected time for survival.But does the patient not have a right to know? And would the patient want to know? A recent study by Ghoshal A., Salins N. investigated just this question. Dr. Naveen Salins talks to PatientsEngage on the study. Do cancer patients want to know everything about their disease process? Contrary to the norms in…
Art is increasingly recognised as medium of expression for persons with intellectual disabilities. Our editor Moyna Sen, who attended the Art Sanctuary's Gala organised by Shalini Gupta shares her impressions. Shaurya Mehrotra may be a young man of few words. But he is a happy person when he is around his creations at the recently held Art Sanctuary’s Gala: Art, Ceramic and Photography Workshops at DLF Chattarpur Farms -- beautiful ceramic pots and bowls, colourful and lovingly created by…
Medical or therapeutic clowns can bring in smiles and comfort where there is disease and trauma. The MeDiClown Academy started by Fif Fernandes and Hamish Boyd in Auroville has been bringing joy to patients and aims to create MeDiClowning as a recognised profession in India. The concept of medical clowns is still new in India. Could you tell us a little about your enterprise the MeDiClown Academy? MediClown Academy became a registered activity of the Auroville Foundation in 2013. We have…
Dr Anand Mishra, Professor and Head of Department of Endocrine Surgery, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, organised a ramp walk for breast cancer survivors including men with breast cancer, to focus awareness on early detection and treatment of breast cancer. He shares his views on how he went about it as also his future plans. Please share with us your journey with breast cancer patients. I am working with breast cancer since my early days of a trainee senior resident doctor…
Screening for Cancer is a crucial part of Cancer Prevention and Control for women. In the second part of this guide on screening, Dr Gauravi Mishra focusses on the screening strategies for women related cancers like Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer. Can you explain the difference between the various screening tools used for Breast cancer i.e. ultrasound vs BSE vs mammography vs thermography? Breast Self-Examination BSEs first started 1930s; gained more recognition in 1950s-1960s…
