Cancer Support India: September 2024

Habits of women who are mentally strong, as per psychology

Mentally strong women

From being self-aware to setting boundaries, here we list down
some common habits of women who are mentally strong, as per
psychology.

Practice self-awareness

Mentally strong women are confident and they are aware of their
strengths and weaknesses, which they use to their benefit.

Set boundaries

Be it their personal or professional lives, mentally strong women
set boundaries with others by saying 'no' when needed. This helps
them protect their time, energy, and mental health, and in turn,
stay focused.

Prioritise personal growth and resilience

Women who are mentally strong have a growth mindset. They
have a positive attitude in life; they accept challenges as an
opportunity for growth. They also keep working on themselves to
become their best version.

Practice self-love

Mentally strong women are kind and compassionate, not just to
others but also to themselves. They accept their flaws because
they too are human and can make mistakes at times.

Learn from failures

When mentally strong women face failures, they accept them
and learn from their mistakes. They are resilient and every
experience is an opportunity to grow for them.

Manage emotions effectively

Mentally strong women are grounded and balanced, even in
adversity. They acknowledge their feelings without being
overwhelmed, and they use healthy ways to cope with stress.

Practice gratitude

Mentally strong women not only work on themselves but also
practice gratitude. They are thankful for whatever they have in
life and this brings positivity and abundance in their lives.

Go the extra mile

Mentally strong women go the extra mile-- be it their work or for
helping others. This makes them an inspiration to many.

Labels: manage emotions effectively, mentally strong women= learn from failures, practice gratitude, practice self-awareness, practice self-love, prioritise personal growth and resilience, set boundaries

Why is pancreatic cancer a silent killer? Understand the warning signs

Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it tends to exhibit minimal or vague symptoms in its early stages, making it challenging to detect.

It is a type of cancer that starts in the pancreas, located behind the stomach and helps with digestion and hormone production.

Pancreatic cancer is quite prevalent in India, and it is considered to be the 11th most common type of cancer in the country.

Dr Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology, Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi, said that the risk of pancreatic cancer increases due to smoking and an unhealthy lifestyle.

The risk factors include smoking, obesity, high intake of red and processed meat and genetic disposition.

"Understanding and awareness are two important ways to fight pancreatic cancer. It's about catching it early, providing effective treatments, and supporting patients throughout their journey," Dr Ashish Gupta told IndiaToday.

According to Dr Ishu Gupta, a distinguished medical oncologist and director of the Cancer Day Care Center, told IndiaToday.In the silent progression and vague symptoms of pancreatic cancer contribute to late detection, with only 15-20% of cases being operable at diagnosis.

WHY IS PANCREATIC CANCER A SILENT KILLER?

Location: The pancreas is situated deep within the abdomen, making it difficult for early tumours to cause noticeable symptoms or for healthcare professionals to detect them through physical examination.

Lack of early signs: In the initial stages, pancreatic cancer may not present clear warning signs. When symptoms do appear, they are often non-specific and can be attributed to various other, less severe conditions.

Rapid progression: Pancreatic cancer tends to grow and spread quickly. As a result, the time between the onset of symptoms and an advanced stage of the disease can be relatively short, reducing the opportunity for early intervention.

COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Abdominal pain: Pain or discomfort in the abdomen, often radiating to the back, is a common symptom.

Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the build-up of bilirubin. This can occur if the tumour blocks the bile ducts.

Unexplained weight loss: Significant, unexplained weight loss can be an indicator of various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

Loss of appetite: A diminished desire to eat, often associated with weight loss.

Digestive issues: Changes in bowel habits, such as light-coloured stools, dark urine, or greasy/fatty stools, can occur when the tumour affects the digestive process.

New-onset diabetes: In some cases, pancreatic cancer can lead to the development of diabetes, especially if the tumour affects the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

TREATMENT FOR PANCREATIC CANCER

India witnesses a high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer due to late-stage diagnoses and limited treatment options, suggested Dr Ishu Gupta.

He added that the 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains dismally low at around 3-5%, emphasising the urgent need for improved early detection methods and innovative therapeutic approaches.

Dr Ishu Gupta said, "Surgical resection offers the best chance of cure, but many patients are ineligible due to late-stage diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy aim to control the disease and alleviate symptoms, yet outcomes remain modest.

Some treatments includeÂ precision oncology and immunotherapy. Precision oncology tailors treatment strategies to the specific molecular characteristics of a patient's tumour.

Immunotherapy harnesses the body's immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.

Dr Ashish Gupta talked about a new chemotherapy treatment called NALIRIFOX, a combination of three previously approved pancreatic cancer drugs.

Labels: abdominal pain, digestive issues, jaundice, lack of early signs, location-deep in the abdomen, loss of appetite, pancreatic cancer- silent killer, rapid progression, unexplained weight loss

Breast Cancer Symptoms: Signs Of The Disease That You Can See On Your Skin

Breast cancer, the most prevalent global cancer in women and can be fatal if untreated. Early detection is crucial; symptoms include changes in skin texture, such as dimpling and eczema-like rash or redness on the nipple. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare and fast-growing form of breast cancer shows signs on your skin.

Breast cancer is a cancer that develops in the milk ducts and/or the milk-producing lobules of the breast. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world with 2.3 million women being diagnosed with the disease and 685, 000 deaths globally in 2020. Breast cancer when in its earliest form is not life-threatening, however, if it is not treated, it can spread to other tissues and organs which can turn out to be fatal.

Breast cancer if detected in the early stages can be treated. For that to happen you should know the symptoms of the condition that can eventually help in early diagnosis and treatment.

One of the changes you might see is the change in the skin texture on or around your breast area, including dimpling. A report in mirror.co.uk, states that according to biotech company Roche, which specialises in diagnostics, “Dimpling of the skin could suggest that the tiny channels in the breast, called lymph vessels, which help get rid of waste products from the body, have become blocked. This causes the breast to become inflamed and swollen and a large area of skin to develop little dimples, like orange peel. In some cases, this is a sign of a type of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer.”

Another sign is developing an eczema-like rash or redness on the nipple or the surrounding area. Roche says, “This is a very rare symptom of breast cancer. In a small number of cases it is linked to a disease that is associated with breast cancer called Paget's disease. While its cause remains unknown, Paget's disease causes an eczema-like itchy red rash on the nipple or surrounding area.”

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and fast-growing form of cancer which can show its signs on the skin. Cleveland Clinic says, “Unlike most breast cancers, IBC doesn’t usually cause lumps in breast tissue. Instead, it appears as a rash, creating skin texture on the affected breast similar to an orange peel. IBC causes pain, redness, swelling and dimpling on the affected breast.”

IBC usually happens when cancer cells tend to block the lymph vessels. When the lymph vessels are blocked, it causes inflammation. People think of this inflammation as an infection.

Here are some other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic

Areas of discolouration (red, pink or purple), a bruise or rash spread over one-third of your breast.
Pain, swelling, itchiness, firmness or tenderness in one breast.
Warmth, burning, heaviness or enlargement of one breast.
Inverted or retracted nipple (a nipple that points inward).
Swollen lymph nodes near your collarbone or under your arm.

Labels: Breast cancer- signs, discoloration

Why Is Bowel Cancer Mistaken For IBS? Doctor Shares Symptoms That Can Be Confusing

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS and colon cancer symptoms look alike. However, unlike IBS, colon cancer may cause bloody stool, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss, among other unique symptoms. Read on to know more about the conditions to clear the confusion.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS IS a chronic disorder of your large intestine or bowel, which is placed at the end of your digestive tract – the colon. Since both IBS and bowel cancer affect the same part of the body – the symptoms are similar and confusing.

According to doctors, it is crucial to understand the key distinctions between these two conditions to ensure appropriate medical intervention. "This confusion can lead to unnecessary anxiety or, worse, a delay in the diagnosis of a potentially serious condition,” Dr. Sarathchandra Gorantla, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist

IBS vs. Colon cancer symptoms

IBS is a common disorder affecting the large intestine. It is characterized by a group of symptoms, including cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. It is a chronic condition that needs long-term management, but unlike colorectal cancer, it does not increase the risk of colorectal cancer or cause changes in bowel tissue.

On the other hand, colorectal cancer, which affects the colon or rectum, can have more severe symptoms. These may include unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, persistent fatigue, and gas pain. Some patients may also experience a feeling that the bowel is not fully emptied, persistent weakness, and anemia from blood loss.

Labels: - affeccts large intestine., - affects colon / rectum, bowel cancer, IBS

Bladder Cancer Symptoms: Doctor Shares Signs Of The Disease That You Need To Keep A Check On

Bladder cancer develops in the cells lining the bladder, often starting with urothelial cells. While it can occur in kidneys and ureters, it's more common in the bladder. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Symptoms include blood in urine, frequent urination, pain, and foul-smelling urine.

Bladder cancer is a cancer that develops in the bladder. It usually begins in the cells that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells, the cells in the inner lining of your bladder are also found in your kidneys and and the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Mayo Clinic says, “Urothelial cancer can happen in the kidneys and ureters, too, but it’s much more common in the bladder.”

Bladder cancer can be treated, however, they have to be diagnosed early. For the condition to be diagnosed early, one needs to keep a check on the symptoms of bladder cancer. If you spot the symptoms and go for the necessary tests, you can get rid of it through the required treatment. However, it is important to spot the symptoms.

Dr James O’Donovan, in a YouTube video, shared symptoms of bladder cancer. He said, “Now without getting too technical the bladder is made up of lots of different layers of muscle and tissue and bladder cancer can be localised within the first few layers of the bladder tissue or it can be more advanced and spread deeper into other parts of the body.”

Here are some of the symptoms mentioned by Dr James O’Donovan.

Blood in urine
Passing urine very often
A burning sensation or pain when passing urine
Foul-smelling urine

He says that finding blood in your urine is one of the most common symptoms and it is seen in nearly 80 per cent of patients. Dr O’Donovan said, “The bleeding is not usually painful but if you ever see blood in your urine you should always go to see your doctor.”

Speaking of other lesser common signs. he said, it is the increased frequency of passing urine. Along with this, you might also feel a pain or a burning sensation when passing urine.

Dr O’Donovan said, “For example, if you’re experiencing a burning sensation when you pee and your pee smells a bit funny you most likely have a urine infection.

“In men, the symptoms of needing to go to the toilet more frequently and at nighttime could be caused by an enlarged prostate gland. Nonetheless, it’s best to see a doctor to get checked out if you do have any of these symptoms.”

However, if your cancer has spread and has reached advanced stages, it can also lead to other symptoms. These symptoms are:

Unexplained weight loss
Pain in the lower back, tummy or bones
Feeling persistently tired or unwell.

Dr O’Donovan said, “These symptoms that we’ve discussed can be caused by other medical conditions, many people with these symptoms don’t have bladder cancer. However, for precautionary reasons, if you do have any of the symptoms, especially blood in urine it’s very important to see a doctor.”

Labels: bladder cancer, blood in urine, burning sensation or pain when urinating, foul-smelling urine, frequent urination, pain in lower back, persistently tired/ unwell, tummy & bones, unexplained weight loss

The Sneakiest Cancers And How To Spot Them Before It Is Too Late

Cancer is an extremely complex and dangerous group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or 1 in 6 deaths. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

Even though there have been significant advancements in medical research and technology that have helped improve the easy and timely detection of various cancers, some types exhibit a sneaky nature, making them challenging to diagnose and treat.

According to experts, most people who lose their lives because of cancer are diagnosed at a very later stage, when treatments do not work. There are more than 100 types of cancer, and some are more common than others.

Pancreatic cancer

Often called the "silent killer" due to the absence of any noticeable signs until the disease has advanced, pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest. A few signs include:

Stomach pain

Unintentional weight loss
Digestive issues

However, these are common with many other ailments and initially cannot be attributed to just cancer. And so, pancreatic cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, reducing treatment options and overall survival rates. 1

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease, which affects more than a million people yearly across the world. A few signs include:

Sores that take a long time to heal
Raised, scaly red patches
Small and smooth lumps on the skin
Pale skin that resembles scars
Sores or growths that bleed
Pink growths with raised edges

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide with over 2 million reported cases every year.

According to doctors, it can be extremely subtle in its initial stages. Early symptoms like cough and chest discomfort can be attributed to other respiratory problems. Also, this cancer mostly lacks obvious symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. 2

Kidney cancer

Most people do not report early stages of kidney cancer because it does not involve any pain or recognizable signs.

According to doctors, this cancer progresses quietly but aggressively, and as the tumour grows, you may experience signs like:

Blood in the urine
Severe back pain
Unintentional weight loss

Brain cancer

Brain cancer, also known as bitemporal hemianopsia, is a deadly ailment that arises due to tumours or gliomas which form a thin layer of tissue that covers the spinal cord and brain.

Even though it may exhibit subtle signs like headaches or fatigue, later as the tumour grows, you may suffer from seizures or fits - particularly in those patients who do not have a medical history. According to experts, nearly one-third of patients diagnosed with brain tumour report a seizure before being diagnosed with a tumour.

A brain tumour also affects the brain’s processing speed leading to cognitive decline which is very slow.

What can be done to identify cancer signs?

According to the Indian Cancer Society, paying attention to even small details and mild symptoms are extremely important.

Doctors say if those, including high-risk groups, are aware of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer, and empowered to contact their doctors as soon as they notice any of these signs or symptoms, it can facilitate the early diagnosis of cancer.

Every abnormality in the body should be dealt with carefully.

Labels: brain cancer, Kidney cancer, lung cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Skin cancer

Cancer Support India

Thursday, September 19, 2024