FDA approves first use of novel immune system drug for cancer

Cancer stigmas are often barriers for seeking diagnosis, as well as treatment and rehabilitation. Shubha Maudgal and Susmitra Mitra of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), Mumbai give us an insight into the current taboos surrounding cancer and the challenges such stigmas pose for patients and society. 1. What does cancer stigma entail? There are two kinds of stigma involved with cancer. One is Self which is in the mind of patients themselves, stemming from guilt or shame.  The other is…

Parimal Ghosh, an 80 year old war veteran and now a cancer survivor, relives his experience of battling the condition for 22 years, his emotions and shares what he has learnt from the whole episode. He is now also an active crusader of the Cancer Awareness Campaign. How would you introduce yourself? I fought the Indo-Pak War in 1965, the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, and am now fighting against Big-C or Cancer since late 1995. Perhaps, it would be best to call me a Fighter Who Lived For…

Dr Rajam Iyer, pulmonologist and palliative care physician, gives us an overview of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, a treatment to help people quit smoking, and strongly recommends its promotion among smokers and the need to test it for smokeless tobacco (bidi) users. What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy? Nicotine replacement therapy is a treatment that smokers can benefit from. As smokers are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes, that causes physical dependence, NRT helps in controlling the…

Children who are out of town patients often miss school for months on end. This affects the child socially and psychologically and often makes reintegration back to school difficult. Dr. Shital Raval visits Canshala which helps bridge that gap by providing continuity of education and normalcy to a child’s life. Set in a Municipal Marathi school in Parel, Canshala is a school for children with cancer, run in collaboration with the Mumbai MCGM. In contrast to the drab exterior, Canshala is a…

Mr Pranab Kumar Basu shares his experience of being the sole caregiver of his wife, who had metastastic colon cancer, and how he succeeded in keeping her mentally strong and cheerful till the end. I have been the sole caregiver for my wife who was suffering from cancer. My wife was under the treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, from July, 2015. She battled for nearly 2 years and 6 months. She finally succumbed to it in October 2017. She was a victim of metastatic colon cancer. The…

You may have heard people refer to a ‘metastatic cancer' or  say that ‘cancer has metastasized’ or is ‘in Stage 4’. But what does that really mean. Dr. Shital Raval explains.  What is Metastasis? Metastasis is a term for when cancer has spread to a different part of a body from where it first originated. Because metastatic cancer is more difficult to control and treat, it is categorized as the last stage or Stage IV. How does Metastasis happen? This happens when cancer cells break…

Sandeep, 25 was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at 12 years of age.  He saw his father cry quietly in the bathroom. Nobody told him what to expect.  His experience motivated him to work with cancer patients as a Patient Navigator at Cankids. And 5 tips for children facing cancer. I am a Ewing Sarcoma survivor! I was diagnosed at the age of 12.5 years. Early symptoms In September 2006, I started getting pain and some swelling in my right upper arm. Initially I never told anyone because I…

Smriti, 50 from Mumbai was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. The hospital nurse referred to her as the most cheerful patient in the ward. PatientsEngage spoke to her to find out her mantra for a positive attitude. Please tell us a bit about your condition  A. I was recently diagnosed with abdominal cancer. When were you diagnosed? A. My diagnoses came in January 2018. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? A. It all started in August 2017…

It has been almost three years since his wife passed away, but the void is hard to reconcile. In an emotional piece, Mario recounts the day when his wife Cheryl was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, and how family and friends rallied together to make her comfortable and happy in her last days. I first met my wife around Oct 84 in a church in Lucknow and after wooing her to hell and back married her in Oct 85. As a family we had our ups and downs but I daresay we had a beautiful…

Nearly 50% of brain tumours detected are cancerous. While advances in immunological and genetic testing will make early detection possible, your biggest wall of armour will be leading a healthy life, emphasizes Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital. What are the most common symptoms of brain tumour? The most common symptoms of brain tumour is headache, unremitting headache associated with vomiting and blurred vision, weakness of any one side. What percentage of…