World Cancer Day

Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, due to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment.

Cancer Symptoms:

Cancer can cause many different symptoms. These are some of them: 

• Skin changes, such as: 
• A new mole or a change in an existing mole.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Breast changes, such as: 
• Change in size or shape of the breast or nipple.
• Change in the texture of breast skin.
• A thickening or lump on or under the skin.
• Hoarseness or a cough that does not go away.
• Changes in bowel habits.
• Difficult or painful urination.
• Problems with eating, such as: 
• Discomfort after eating, a hard time swallowing, changes in appetite
• Weight gain or loss with no known reason.
• Abdominal pain.
• Unexplained night sweats.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge, including: 
• Blood in the urine, vaginal bleeding, blood in the stool
• Feeling weak or very tired

What causes Cancer?

Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may allow a cell to become cancerous.

Risk factors:

Here is a list some common risk factor which highly increases your chance of getting cancer:

• Smoking – Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals. Of those chemicals, about 70 can cause cancer. Smoking as well as being exposed to second-hand smoke increases your risk of cancer.
• Obesity – Extra fat tissue produces excess amounts of estrogen and other hormones that may stimulate cell growth and proliferation (the more often cells divide, the more opportunities cancer has to develop). Obesity may also cause chronic inflammation, which over time can damage DNA and is one of the things that cause cancer.
• Age – One-quarter of new cancer cases are diagnosed in people between age 65 and 74, according to the National Cancer Institute. Getting old highly increases your chance of getting cancer.
• Sedentary lifestyle – Spending more time sitting for work or leisure highly increases your chance of getting cancer as compared to others who lead active lives.
• Alcohol – Limit your alcohol intake. One unit for women, two for men: that’s the recommended daily limit if you choose to drink alcohol. The more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk of developing certain cancers: specifically that of the head and neck, oesophagus, liver, and breast.
• Hereditary – If your mother, father, or siblings were diagnosed with any form of cancer than it’s a sign that it may be caused by an abnormal gene that you may have inherited. Overall, inherited mutations result in only about 5 to 10 per cent of all cancers.

Prevent Cancer:

Here are a few ways how changing your lifestyle and eating habits can help prevent cancer:

• Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Avoid sugary drinks, and limit consumption of high-calorie foods, especially those low in fiber and rich in fat or added sugar.
• Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes (such as beans).
• Limit consumption of red meats (including beef, pork, and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
• If you drink alcohol, limit your daily intake to two drinks for men and one drink for women.
• Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt (sodium).
• It’s best for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for up to six months and then add other liquids and foods.
• After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.

Cancer facts in India:

• There are more than 100 types of cancers; almost any part of the body can be affected.
• The five most frequent cancers (ranking defined by the total number of cases) in India between men and women are breast, cervical, oral cavity, lung, and colorectal. These top five account for 47.2 per cent of all cancers
• Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India (after cardiovascular disease).
• Use of tobacco products (eg smoking cigarettes) is the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. As many as 2,500 persons die every day due to tobacco-related diseases in India.
• One woman dies every 8 minutes in India from cervical cancer, which is more than any country. Rural women have more risk than their urban counterparts.
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India and accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in women in Indian cities.
• The WHO data says India will have 1.16 million new cancer cases in 2018.

Our Cancer centre is equipped with high-end technologies like:

• EDGE Radiosurgery system, Asia’s first equipment which enables precise, non-invasive treatments helping patients heal faster with less discomfort.
• We are the first hospital in India to have Novalis TX machine, which performs high precision surgeries to remove deep-seated tumours.
• We have the first Trilogy (linear accelerator) in India, which is capable of performing on-board CT scan, KV and MV imaging with respiratory gating systems.

Consult our highly experienced and expert oncologists for any cancer diagnosis or treatment. Please find below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer.html

It is no surprise that the sooner breast cancer is detected, the better the chances there are of curing it. Initially, though, breast cancer doesn’t show evident symptoms. If the lump is too small for you to feel, you may not even notice it. However, over time, if you begin to experience a sharp pain in your breast along with some tenderness, you ought to get it checked.

When it comes to cancer, detection is key. If you detect the disease in its early stages, you have a better chance at survival. If you recognize any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor today!

1. Changes in shape or texture If one of your breast has the lump, chances are that there will be significant changes in the shape or size of the affected breast. For instance, one breast might droop or become larger than the other. If there is puckering of the skin or your breast starts to look red and inflamed, you ought to get it checked.

2. Thickening of the nipple If you are in the habit of checking your breasts regularly, you’ll be able to spot changes quickly. Is one of your nipple or both of them feeling thicker than usual? If yes, you might want to get it investigated. What’s more? Dimpling and itching of the skin shouldn’t be ignored as they are warning signals your body is giving you.

3. Nipple discharge It is true that nipple discharge happens for a variety of reasons and most of the time it is nothing to worry about. However, if the discharge occurs without squeezing the nipple or it happens in one breast and not the other, you need to visit your doctor. If the discharge has blood in it, it’s advisable to seek medical help.

4. Lump in the armpit More often than not, women look for lumps in their breasts. While that is necessary, you should not ignore swelling in or around your collarbone or armpit. Sometimes, these lumps are spotted even before you feel a lump in your breast. It’s worth seeking medical advice as soon as you notice this symptom.

5. Bloating Women tend to bloat easily. And while it is easy to overlook this symptom, if it occurs with weight loss or bleeding, it is a cause of worry. Constant bloating is a definite sign of cancer. Visit your doctor to know the cause of the problem.

Once you’ve successfully detected these symptoms, your doctor will advise you to get a mammogram done. Women of all ages are encouraged to examine their breasts regularly.

What does Cancer…the dreaded disease actually mean?

Cancer, also called malignancy refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout the body.

There are more than 100 types of cancer, including breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. The symptoms vary depending on the type. Cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.

Cancer Symptoms

Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected. Some of them are listed below:

1. Fatigue
2. Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
3. Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
4. Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won’t heal, or changes to existing moles
5. Changes in bowel or bladder habits or indigestion
6. Persistent cough or trouble breathing
7. Difficulty swallowing, hoarseness in voice
8. Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain
9. Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats
10. Unexplained bleeding or bruising

Causes

Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may allow a cell to become cancerous.

Risk factors

Factors known to increase your risk of cancer include:

1. Your age – Cancer can take decades to develop. That’s why most people diagnosed with cancer are 65 or older. While it’s more common in older adults, cancer isn’t exclusively an adult disease — cancer can be diagnosed at any age.
2. Your habits – Certain lifestyle choices are known to increase your risk of cancer. Smoking, drinking more than one alcoholic drink a day, excessive exposure to the sun, being obese, and having unsafe sex can contribute to cancer.
3. Your family history – Only a small portion of cancers are due to an inherited condition. If cancer is common in your family, it’s possible that mutations are being passed from one generation to the next.
4. Your environment – The environment around you may contain harmful chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. Second hand smoke, chemicals in your home or workplace, such as asbestos and benzene, also are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Prevention

There’s no certain way to prevent cancer. But you can reduce your risk of getting cancer by taking the below steps:

1. Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Smoking is linked to several types of cancer — not just lung cancer. Stopping now will reduce your risk of cancer in the future.
2. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. Limit your sun exposure by staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing or applying sunscreen.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Choose a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Select whole grains and lean proteins.
4. Exercise most days of the week. Regular exercise is linked to a lower risk of cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
5. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of cancer. Work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
6. Drink alcohol in moderation, if you choose to drink. Do not start drinking if you don’t. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit yourself to one drink a day if you’re a woman of any age or a man older than age 65, or two drinks a day if you’re a man 65 years old or younger.
7. Schedule cancer screening exams. Talk to your doctor about what types of cancer screening exams are best for you based on your risk factors.

Some crucial facts about Cancer:

1. Cancer is the #2 killer in developed countries and #1 in underdeveloped countries.
2. Scientific experts worldwide agree that at least half of all cancers and cancer-related deaths are preventable.
3. A single cigarette contains 69 known cancer-causing carcinogens and over 4,000 chemicals.
4. Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children.
5. Globally, one in every eight deaths is caused by cancer. Approximately 70% of cancer deaths occur to those of low and middle incomes.
6. One may experience no symptoms of ovarian cancer, lung cancer, or colon cancer until the cancer cells spread to other areas of your body. Early screening is imperative to catching these cancers in time.
7. What you eat matters. Green tea, berries, turmeric, avocados, garlic, kale, and even dark chocolate can naturally trigger cancer cells to self destruct via apoptosis.
8. If anyone among your family or friends is showing any cancer related symptoms, waste no time. Meet our team of specialists at the Centre for Cancer at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Please see below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer.html

AIDS is not a virus but a set of symptoms caused by the HIV virus. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defence against illness. White blood cells are an important part of the immune system. HIV infects and destroys certain white blood cells called CD4+ cells. If too many CD4+ cells are destroyed, the body can no longer defend itself against infection.

The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). People with AIDS have a low number of CD4+ cells and get infections or cancers that rarely occur in healthy people. These can be deadly.

If HIV is left untreated, it may take up to 10 or 15 years for the immune system to be so severely damaged it can no longer defend itself at all. However, the speed HIV progresses will vary depending on age, health and background.

Basic facts about AIDS

1. AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
2. AIDS is also referred to as advanced HIV infection or late-stage HIV.
3. Treatment for HIV means that more people are staying well, with fewer people developing AIDS.
4. There is effective antiretroviral treatment available so people with HIV can live a normal, healthy life.
5. The earlier HIV is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start – leading to better long term health. Hence, regular testing for HIV is important.

What causes HIV?

HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. You can get HIV from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Some common reasons are listed below:

1. Unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.
2. Sharing drug needles with someone who is infected with HIV.
3. The virus can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

What are the symptoms?

HIV may not cause symptoms early on. People who do have symptoms may mistake them for the flu or mono. Common early symptoms include:

1. Fever.
2. Sore throat.
3. Headache.
4. Muscle aches and joint pain.
5. Swollen glands (swollen lymph nodes).
6. Skin rash.

Some common myths and facts related to AIDs:

1.Myth: You can get HIV just by being around HIV-positive individuals in your daily life.

Fact: HIV is transmitted when infected material (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk) comes in direct contact with a mucous membrane (mouth, vagina, anus), damaged tissue, or is injected directly into the bloodstream. HIV is not spread by kissing, hugging, sharing food/drink, toilet seats, sneezes/coughs, sweat, touching, or through insect bites.

2. Myth: HIV can be cured.

Fact: There is no cure for HIV. With treatment, HIV-positive individuals can control the virus and live long, healthy lives.

3. Myth: Being diagnosed with HIV is a death sentence.

Fact: The HIV virus was earlier less understood, how it was transmitted, or how to treat it. As a result of this lack of knowledge, combined with the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, many of those who were diagnosed died. With better awareness and advanced medication people can live long healthy lives.

4. Myth: If both partners are HIV positive, use of condoms is not required.

Fact: Do not forget that antiretroviral therapy (ART) will not protect you from unwanted pregnancy or other STDs. Additionally, it is possible for an HIV-positive individual to become infected with a second strain of HIV, which is called HIV re-infection. This could potentially hamper the current treatment.

5. Myth: The elderly do not have to worry about HIV

Fact: HIV does not discriminate against age, gender, race, sexual orientation, class, or any other identifier. Age doesn’t stop people from having sex and if you are having sex, then you are at some risk of contracting HIV or other STDs.

Let us all get together and bring an end to the AIDs epidemic. Over the years public efforts have spread the anti-AIDs message strongly leading to reduction in deaths due to AIDs. Let us be responsible citizens.

To get yourself tested for HIV, please see our below website to avail of the most suitable health check-up package for you:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/manage/shop/

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.  Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. These abnormal cells keep dividing without control or order and form a tumor. A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Malignant tumors are cancerous. If left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body. Breast Cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from cells in the breast.

Breast cancer can have an impact on many aspects of your daily life. It is essential to seek treatment and be updated with the latest breast cancer breakthroughs. Everyone copes with their diagnosis differently and also responds differently to the treatment.

Know the symptoms:

Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor immediately. Depending on your personal history and age, begin mammogram screenings also after the age of 40 years or earlier if needed.

Initially, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. A lump may be too small for you to feel or notice on your own. Do keep a note of any unusual changes like below, as they may be a symptom of breast cancer:

• swelling of all or part of the breast
• skin irritation or dimpling
• breast pain
• nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
• redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
• a nipple discharge other than breast milk
• a lump in the underarm area

Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk

Adopt healthy habits, understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:

• Limit alcohol intake – The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. Limit yourself to less than 1 drink per day as even small amounts increase risk.
• Quit Smoking – Studies suggest a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women.
• Control your weight – Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
• Be physically active – Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly is recommended along with some strength training.
• Breast-feed – Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
• Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy – Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options.
• Limit radiation exposures – Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. Avoid unnecessary radiation exposures as they are linked to breast cancer.

Things to know about Breast Cancer:

• 1. It does not affect only elderly people– Unfortunately, women in their 20s/30s/40s can also get breast cancer. Awareness is important.
• 2. Early detection is not a cure – Although detecting breast cancer early is associated with a better prognosis, it is not a guaranteed cure.
• 3. It’s not always a lump – Breast cancer most often presents itself as a lump in the breast. However other possible signs should not be ignored like itchiness of the breast, redness or swelling, puckering of the skin, and changes in the nipple.
• 4. Breast cancer isn’t just one disease – Breast cancer has many types and subtypes, such as HER2-positive, estrogen-positive, triple-negative, invasive, non-invasive, and inflammatory breast cancer. Different breast cancers are treated differently.
• 5. Men can get breast cancer too – Another misconception about breast cancer is it is strictly a women’s disease. Even though the vast majority of breast cancer cases are female, men can indeed get it too, their risk is less than 1%.

The greatest misconception that people have about cancer is that all patients eventually die of cancer. It is very important to realise that breast cancer is one of the most curable cancers in the human body. All patients who are cured live a normal life for their entire lifespan. Regular follow ups after the treatment are essential and help identify relapse if any.

Our Breast Clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is well-equipped with state-of-the-art radiation machines and day care chemo suites. We have a dedicated service that has been created to specifically diagnose and treat the entire spectrum of conditions affecting mammary gland. If you or a family member is suffering from Breast Cancer do visit us. For further details please refer below link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/breastclinic.html