Cancer

Parameswaran(Param), 51 is a CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) survivor. He recounts his experience of battling the condition, going through a Bone Marrow Transplant and his journey to becoming a patient advocate. I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Feb 2004 and was on standard treatment till Oct 2006 I was givenThyrosine Kinase Inhibitor tablets which secures the disease to be in control. But I developed resistance and had to undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant in Nov 2006. It is…

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…

Screening for Cancer is a crucial part of Cancer Prevention and Control. Yet, screening is not integrated into our routine medical health care for our mass population. Dr Gauravi Mishra, of the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai provides us with her expert guidance on advances and modifications in screening strategies for India including Genome Tests and Liquid Biopsy. And specific focus on Prostate Cancer. There have been recent changes in cancer screening. What are the current guidelines for…

While breast cancer patients are busy dealing with the effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, they are often not warned about Lymphedema, often called "the dirty secret" of breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors share their first hand experience of dealing with lymphedema.  What is Lymphedema Lymphodema is the accumulation of lymph (tissue fluid) below the skin. Lymph is normally drained by the Lymphatic system, which when obstructed can lead to accumulation of the lymph.…

Hair Loss is one of the more dreaded side effects of chemotherapy. But thats not the only side effect. Our contributors shared the other side effects they went through. Often the side effects were different in each cycle.  Here is a compilation of the various side effects experienced by our contributors. There have been a few who had no major side effects apart from hair loss. This article can help other patients and their families be prepared for these side-effects. Click on the name to…

A diagnosis of Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) when she was 26 years old changed Neema's life forever. She talks of her challenging journey including multiple surgeries, amputation and more and the person who motivated her to fight the cancer. Please tell us a bit about your condition It was November of 1998 when I was just 26 years old. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of my knee. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? I used to work at a Research lab where I…

Ushakant Shah, 75 from Ahmedabad was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) 16 years ago. He went through intensive treatment which caused a lot of complications. He fought with all the courage he could summon and established an NGO KarunaKare to reduce the burden of care for poor cancer patients.  It was October of 2003, my family and I had gone to Bombay to attend a wedding. On the 2nd day, I had some back pain which I thought was due to the hectic schedule. On the 3rd day, there…

Deaths due to Breast Cancer are preventable. Just do the Breast Self Exam once a month to catch any abnormalities early. Download this shower card to reduce breast cancer mortality Breast cancer is one of the commonest cancers for women. It can also affect a small percentage of men. If detected early, it is also a cancer with one of the higher survival rates. So it is important that we take the necessary steps to detect lumps in the breast and other abnormalities early to improve our chances.…

When A Chitra, 38 from Bengaluru started having seizures, she was initially treated for epilepsy but was eventually diagnosed with Malignant Glioma, a type of brain tumour. She shares how she handled the gamut of treatment and the emotional distress with the support of her team of doctors, family and friends and employer.  Chitra, please tell us a bit about your condition  I was diagnosed with brain tumour called Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III. It is a rare, malignant tumour…

Ms.Bincy Mathew is a psycho-oncologist, currently working with HCMCT-Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi. She talks about the importance of counselling for cancer patients and their families who are dealing with their psycho-social issues.  What is the role of Psycho-oncology or psychosocial oncology in Cancer care? It is not a myth that cancer brings a lot of emotional and psychological burden on patient’s and caregiver's lives. The fact is, most people are not prepared to face such unexpected…