Cancer

Anjali Sen, 47 from Mumbai was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2019. She talks about dealing with the confusion of treatment approaches, the constant fear of relapse, and finding help with online meditation solutions. When were you first diagnosed with breast cancer? I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma on my left breast in June 2019. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? Early in 2019, I felt a lump in the left breast while changing. During periods,…

The prevalence of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is as high as 68% of all patients and 30% even six months after chemotherapy. It is important to understand the cause and find ways to deal with the pain. Caregivers should not dismiss the pain. Dr. Shital Raval explains CIPN, the symptoms and approaches for management of CIPN.   When the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are affected or damaged, it causes a condition called peripheral neuropathy. While…

Shiba Suresh, who was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK mutation lung cancer, was immediately started with targeted therapy. Here she states she has responded well to her medications and considers herself lucky that she can live longer. We have beautiful weather in December in Kochi. It is the perfect time for gardening. I excitedly bought some flowering plants of adenium, petunia, dianthus and roses for my home and got busy for a couple of days planting and pruning them. I must have strained myself…

We all have a lot of questions on cancer prevention, how to detect cancer early and guidelines for  screening. We also often ignore the needs of persons with disabilities in terms of cancer awareness campaigns and access to screening. Join us as we discuss the following topics in the webinar today   Prevention is better than cure. How can we prevent cancer? How can we reduce the risk of cancer? What are the common cancers? What are the screening guidelines for lung cancer,…

Nalini Satyanaraya, 72-year-old nonsmoker, was diagnosed with throat (voice box) cancer 10 years back because of exposure to second-hand smoke in her house. Today, as survivor, she has become an energetic tobacco control warrior and counsels patients after laryngeal surgery and teaches them to talk. When and how did you reckon a problem with your throat? It was January 2010. I felt my throat was hoarse. I could not speak clearly and was getting breathless. When medicines did not get me any…

Lymphedema is called the "Dirty Secret of Breast Cancer" for a reason. Breast Cancer patients were often not told about the risk of lymphedema and what needs to be done to prevent/manage it. Dr. Rohini Patil, gynaecologist, breast cancer survivor and Certified Lymphedema Therapist talks about lymphedema and how to manage it. In this recording she talks about breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in india and lymphedema. She explains all about lymphedema.  Keka Roy also…

Mona Choudhuri considers herself very lucky to have been diagnosed in the early stages of ovarian cancer. Here she shares her experience to help raise awareness of the importance of routine physical examinations and screenings for women. She also highlights the issue of lymphedema of the leg.  Ovarian cancer was never on my radar of health concerns. It was fibroids in my uterus that had been my constant worry since my mid-30s. I would have discomfort, bloating and frequent abdominal pain.…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and PatientsEngage has planned a series of webinars on a wide ranging set of topics from fitness after breast cancer to body image to dealing with hormone therapy. Please share so that it reaches breast cancer patients and survivors. The effects of treatment of breast cancer can permanently alter a woman's relationship with her body and her self. While everyone talks of hair loss, what people don't talk about how they feel about scarred breasts,…

Ritika Raotale, a teenager from Surat, relates her agonising treatment for lymphoblastic lymphoma, a fast-growing aggressive cancer, and her tale of triumph over the disease with high dose chemotherapy and a smile. Before my diagnosis in 2019, I was leading a fairly normal life. I had just finished my Class 12 Board Exams. I had gone to my Nani’s house for a short break and enjoying my vacation. There one night I suddenly began having difficulty breathing. It was as if something was choking me…

Pranab Kumar Das,70 from Jubutia, Birbhum,  recounts his experience of fighting his battle with Follicular Lymphoma with determination and moving forward to a healthy and active life. When were you diagnosed? What were the early symptoms? May , 2017. There were no specific symptoms for me. l felt no pain inside or outside my body. But l was deeply worried about my steady weight loss and growing weakness. At first l came to know from a CT scan that l have peripancreatic lymph nodes. My…