“A patient, long before he becomes the subject of medical scrutiny, is, at first, simply a storyteller, a narrator of suffering—” 
― Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Emperor of All Maladies

As I walked past the Oncology ward of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi (AIIMS), I just could not avoid coming face to face with the grim look strewn across faces. It was evident on the patient lying on the thin mattress undergoing chemotherapy and on the care giver’s face by their side. It made me think, what is it with cancer? Why is there so much anxiety associated? Is it because the ailment has no cure? Or are there other reasons associated? And as Doctor, author and Pulitzer award winner Siddhartha Mukherjee said, “Is Cancer really the emperor all maladies?”  I begin today a 5 part series trying to unravel myths and probably get answers that would help many in their fight against the disease. I welcome you to join me in this journey.

Why You Should Be Concerned?

For many, cancer is still a remote word. The common belief is that cancer would not lay its tentacles on them. And why should it? They do not have a family history, nor do they smoke. Yet, this is not true in its entirety.

Annually, nearly 500,000 people die of cancer in India. And this is increasing. Cancer can strike any one of us at anytime. It is now the single largest killer next to heart ailments. To the extent that many doctors have begun calling it a lifestyle ailment.

“Pollution levels are high, food habits are not healthy, sexual habits have changed, and people have lost connect with what we used to call healthy living,” says Dr Vamsy+. That is one of the reasons why the age profile of cancer is coming down. A decade back, cancer in a 40-something was unusual. Not anymore. “Nearly 80 per cent of my patients were people above 50 then,” says Dr Kumar*. “Now, I also treat teenagers and 20-somethings.”

+(Dr Ch. Mohana Vamsy, chief surgical oncologist with Omega Hospital in Hyderabad)

*(Dr Arvind Kumar, head of Institute of Robotic Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi)

Source: indiatoday.com

I raise the big question here, are you abusing your body?

Are you making your body prone to developing ailments such as cancer? If you think you aren’t prone to cancer, think again and ponder over these common risk factors.

• Consumption of tobacco is a great risk factor for oral cancer (Read: Quit it before he gets you)
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Unhealthy diet, high in fat and low in dietary fiber
• Lack of regular exercise and physical inactivity
• Stress

If you say a yes to even one of the above, you are at risk.

As much as cancer treatment and cure is spoken about, not much is spoken about preventive measures. Much of cancer’s future now depends on the patient, lifestyle changes and awareness about one’s own body. So stop abusing your body and pay heed to certain vital details.

Don’t ignore these signs

• A lump or hard area in the breast
• A change in a wart or mole
• A persistent change in digestive and bowel habits
• A persistent cough or hoarseness
• Blood loss from any natural orifice
• Excessive loss of blood at the monthly period or loss of blood outside the usual dates
• A swelling or sore that does not get better
• Unexplained loss of weight

Get a regular cancer screening done if you are above the age of 40 or have any family history of the disease. Remember not always does it give you a second chance.

Coming up: The Crab Series: When he strikes, you are the victim- Part 2 of 5