Latest in Scientific Cancer Treatments:

Latest in Scientific Cancer Treatments:

Nitrogen Mustard a compound similar to Mustard gas used in World War II can be considered as first chemotherapeutic agent used to fight cancer. This substance was first used in Dec 1942. Since then scientists have developed many chemotherapeutic agents with higher effectiveness and with lesser side effects.

Majority of people are aware of drastic side effects of cancer treatment which can be Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy or surgery.  Even the medical and scientific world is aware of the shortcomings of treatments which are used at present for Cancer treatment.

Following are some of the treatments which are under advanced stage of research. These tests are yet to get approval from authorities like FDA for actual use on humans but majority have shown very encouraging results in clinical or animal trials.

1.    Cancer Detecting Bra

2.     Microwaving Cancer

3.    Gold Nanorods Target Tumors

4.    Slowing Cancer Metabolism

5.    Fight Cancer with Purple Tomato

6.    Bombing Cancer with Virus

7.    Use of Newer contrast agents to fight cancer

8.    Detect cancer very early

9.    Killing of Stem cells of Breast cancer

10. Micro-bubbles activated by Ultrasound for killing cancer cells

11. Use of Electric field for killing cancer cells.

12. Use of Laser micro-scalpel to kill individual cancer cell 

13.Capturing cancer cells with magnets

14.Blocking Proliferation of Beta cells in Leukemia

15.Interferon based drugs to cure breast cancer

16.Latest endoscopic techniques to detect Pancreatic cancer at very early stage.

1. Cancer Detecting Bra

Scientists from the Centre for Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom, led by Professor Elias Siores, are using an existing technique for detecting breast cancer at its early stages.

An innovative bra currently under development might be able to detect the cancerous growths before they spread to additional areas, thus preventing metastasis and a more severe course of disease. The bra will notify the wearer of a problem and advise them to seek professional help.

Thermography is a type of infrared imaging science. A thermographic camera detects changes in the infrared radiation range and produces images of this radiation. The bra can use this technique because of the way cancerous tissue stands out metabolically against the healthy background tissues. Since tumors are constantly growing, they need a greater blood flow to supply them with nutrients and oxygen. A greater blood flow causes temperature to be elevated. This information is then analyzed by a separate controller unit which then sets off an alarm if the normal breast tissue temperature is exceeded.

2. Microwaving Cancer

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a therapeutic strategy against breast cancer, using chemotherapy and microwave energy. The method involves heating the cancer cells with special radar while conducting traditional chemotherapy treatment. This combination of microwave-generated heat strategy, known as thermotherapy, and traditional chemotherapy caused cancer patients' large tumors to shrink drastically and completely destroyed smaller tumors. The new method is now pending large scale clinical trials in Canada and the United States.

The microwave energy is generated using two applicators located near the patient's breast. This energy heats the cancer cells while leaving normal cells almost intact. The treatment attacks cancer cells that contain more water and ions than normal cells. The energy, applied in microwaves, makes the ions and water molecules vibrate and heat the cell. The cancer cells reach temperatures as high as 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit), making them inanimate. So far, the treatment has had very little side effects in clinical trials. 

The treatment developed in MIT showed promising results in several clinical trials. In the latest clinical trials, 15 patients with large cancerous tumors were treated using a combination of chemotherapy and thermotherapy. On average, the tumors decreased in size by 50 percent more than tumors treated with chemotherapy alone. In another series of clinical trials, which were conducted earlier on patients with small tumors, all the cancer cells were successfully eliminated prior to surgery using the combined thermotherapy-chemotherapy method. 

3. Gold Nanorods Target Tumors

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed tiny gold rods capable of singling out tumorous cells and destroying them without damaging nearby healthy tissue. The gold nanorods absorb energy from near infrared light and then focus that energy at the tumors in the form of heat. The particles could also be used to locate and diagnose hidden or hard to reach tumors that don't necessarily show themselves with conventional imaging techniques.

4. Slowing Cancer Metabolism

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts are exploring new cancer drugs that work to slow or block cancer metabolism, effectively starving cancer cells to death. According to their study, the scientists identified a new way that such cells speed up their metabolism and divert energy to new cell creation. They are developing new drugs that slow or block this alternate mechanism to fight cancer.

5. Fight Cancer with Purple Tomato

Don't you just love it when simply eating something tasty helps you fight and prevent disease? Researchers from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, U.K. have genetically modified a tomato so that in addition to having a ravishing purple hue, it can also help prevent cancer.

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring pigments found at particularly high levels in berries such as blackberry, cranberry and chokeberry. These bioactive compounds offer protection against certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and age-related degenerative diseases. There is also some evidence that anthocyanins also have anti-inflammatory activity, promote visual acuity and hinder obesity and diabetes.

 But since most people eat a small variety of vegetables, scientists are investigating ways to increase the levels of health-promoting compounds in fruits and vegetables that are more commonly seen on our plates. (Eat More Vegetables)

6. Bombing Cancer with Virus

Researchers from the North Carolina State University have modified a common plant virus to deliver drugs specifically into cancer cells without harming the surrounding tissue. This discovery could increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy as well as reduce the side effects of the treatment.

Viruses are often used for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and recently the creation of tiny medical “smart bombs” has become one of the hottest areas of research in nanotechnology. These bombs are able to attach themselves to specific cells and deliver a chemical substance. While such devices would be useful to treat a variety of disease, they are usually used to fight cancer.

7. Use of Newer contrast agents to fight cancer

Researcher Kristina Djanashvili, from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, has developed a new contrast agent which can be used in MRI scans in order to better identify tumors. Her discovery should lead to earlier and more precise cancer detection and treatment.

Kristina Djanashvili, a postgraduate researcher from TU Delft, has recently developed a new contrast agent with greater tumor affinity and contrast induction characteristics. Greater affinity means that a smaller amount of cancerous growth can be picked up by the MRI and tumors can be found at earlier stages and visualized more accurately than by use of existing substances

8. Detect cancer very early

Scientists from Stanford University have developed a device that can scan blood and find signs of cancer, even at its earliest stages. Early detection will allow early treatment and greatly improve the survival chances of patients.

Stanford University scientists have developed a system based on MagArray's biodetection chips that are capable of detecting cancer-associated proteins in a blood serum sample in less than an hour. MagArray is a startup company in the Panorama Institute for Molecular Medicine, a not-for-profit incubator in Sunnyvale, California. The device was created using magnetic nanotechnology and can detect cancer proteins with a far greater sensitivity than that of existing commercial devices. As a result of this enhanced sensitivity, cancer can be detected at a very early stage, while there are relatively few proteins released into the bloodstream.

9. Killing of Stem cells of Breast cancer

Researchers at the Broad Institute and Whitehead Institute (both in Cambridge, Massachusetts) have discovered a chemical that kills breast cancer stem cells in mice. These cells are believed to be the cause of the spread of cancer and also of the recurrence of some cancers that previously appeared to be eradicated. By killing these stem cells, both the spread and reappearance of cancers could be decreased and, ultimately, prevented.

10. Micro-bubbles activated by Ultrasound for killing cancer cells

Philips is currently developing a new technology, which will administer drugs into specific locations using Ultrasound-Activated Microbubbles. This new technology will increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy for several types of cancer.

The system is designed to help ultrasound operators locate tumours based on their density and the tumour-specific network of small blood vessels. When the tumour is located, the system shatters the shells of the microbubbles by means of a focused, high-energy ultrasound pulse. Once the shells are destroyed, the contents of the microbubbles spill into the surrounding area and the drugs reach the tumour directly instead of going through the whole bloodstream. This localized release technique prevents the drugs from influencing other systems in the body, thus preventing gruelling side-effects and improving the quality of life of the patient undergoing chemotherapy.

11. Use of Electric field for killing cancer cells.

A group of scientists headed by Yoram Palti from the Technion Institute in Israel, succeeded in killing dividing cells without harming non-dividing ones using electrical charges. It turns out that an electrical field in a small enough voltage doesn't damage living cells. The scientists used this fact to treat a cancerous organ with an altering current (AC) electrical field. Using the AC electrical field, normal cells remain unharmed while the dividing cancerous cells are destroyed.

Ref.: http://thefutureofthings.com/news/1112/microwaving-cancer.html

The researches as mentioned above and many similar researches going on around the world will one day certainly result in complete cure of all types of Cancers.

Readers are requested to share any similar scientific information which they may come across.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Cancer: In The Doctor’s Cabin

Most of us have faced interviews sometime or other in life. The interview can be for job, admission to school or college, talent hunt, and passport or visa application. We all go prepared and we are ready with probable questions and answers. If one is an interviewer, then one is ready with the questions one wants to ask for making informed balanced decision.

When you are in Doctor’s cabin, at first it is doctor’s turn to be the interviewer. Doctor will ask questions to get all relevant information; he / she will go through all reports, lab findings which are like resume. The doctor reaches to informed, balanced decision and the diagnosis is made. At this point, the roles change. Here onwards, patient becomes interviewer. It is doctor’s duty to clarify all doubts in patient’s mind and they all are willing to perform their duties; but it is patient’s responsibility to bring all his doubts to the doctor’s notice. Most of the visits to Doctor’s cabin are for simple cough, cold, joint pains or fever, but some of us have to be there for reasons much more sinister than that.

It may start as a simple persistent cough, bad bowel habits, and unexplained loss of weight, disturbed urination, bone pain or some lump somewhere. Then there are tests, scans, markers, and biopsies. At the end of this, one is in doctor’s cabin and the verdict is what one fears the most. All the same, doctor says, “No need to worry. There is problem but science has made tremendous progress and there are good chances of full recovery. We shall start the treatment immediately”.  The patient looks at heaven, to accompanying relative or friend and again to doctor and he says to the doctor, “All right, let us do what we can and hope for the best”. At this point, I feel patient should ask for ‘Time Out’. The ‘Time Out’ can be 1-2 hours or few days. The time is needed for changing role from being interviewed to being interviewer. The time-out is needed to understand the situation and to gather all possible information.

The cancer information is freely available on internet. One can use this tool to gather information. One can consult other doctors to take second opinion or discuss the situation with whom or whose close person has been through the same situation. One can even visit public library to get detailed information. Spending few days in getting such information is not likely to cause any harm. This in-depth information is also necessary to understand the answers which doctor is going to give to one's queries.

All patients must know answers to following questions:

1.    What is the type of cancer and has progressed to which stage? Cancer is not one single disease. Knowing the name is first step in knowing the enemy. Medical science has scientifically classified all cancers in ‘4’ stages depending on progress of disease and chances of cure.

2.    Is the diagnosis 100% correct or there is need of doing any other additional tests, investigations before starting the treatment? Normally not doctor will be give ‘Cancer’ verdict unless being 100% sure, but it is better to ask. It is also better to confirm that there is no computer mistake or clerical error. This is necessary because these doubts will always be lingering in minds of patient. The clarification of all doubts is really necessary for waging full fledged fight against disease.

3.    Is the cancer Non-Invasive or Invasive, and the speed with which is it expected to spread if untreated?

4.    What manner of the treatment will slow down or cure the disease?

5.     What are expected stages as disease progresses or gets cured?

6.    What is the percentage of occurrence of this type of cancer in our society? This is purely academic question but it helps to know that one is not the only unlucky one.

7.    What is going to be the line of treatment?  There are mainly three types of treatments which a doctor will consider. Chemotherapy, Radiation or Surgical. Cancer doctor may choose to opt for only one type or may opt for combination of two or all three. Patient must ask for reasons for doctor’s choice and must confirm that doctor is expert in all three types of treatments. There are various drugs available for treating each cancer. It is necessary to know why doctor has chosen the particular drug therapy. It is sadly noticed that often there is unhealthy tussle or competition between oncologists and onco-surgeons. In order to protect his own interests, patient must get opinion from all fields. Also, one must ask if there is any other treatment available such as hormone, stem cells etc.

8.    What are going to be the side effects of the treatment? This the most troubling question in all those who are going to have cancer treatment. All scientists, chemists and doctors are relentlessly trying to create newer molecules with the least side effects. Modern therapies have comparatively lesser side effects.

9.    Is there any other therapy with proven results in treating similar cancer? Is the alternative medicine treatment likely to interfere with therapy prescribed by the doctor? There are many claims of treating various cancers with help of plant extracts and alternative medicines. These are mainly instances where patients are seen to be cured with these methods.

10.  Are there any drugs which are in experimental stage? Is it advisable to participate in such experiments? What are the risk factors?

11. Who is the most reputed doctor or is considered the ultimate authority in treating similar cancer?

12. Which are the medicines prescribed by doctor for treating the symptoms of the disease?  It is important to know which drugs are given only for treating symptoms and side effects of treatment and which drugs should be taken if symptoms become very severe and unbearable.

13. Which part of the treatment can be taken at home and which parts needs hospitalization and what is the duration of hospitalization?

14. What is likely to be the cost of treatment in worst and best case scenario? Patient must get full information of cost involved in various regimes along with pro and cons of these regimes. This helps patient and relatives to take decision about the line of action.

15. What changes are needed to be made in life style, in relation to diet, exercises and other habits?

16. Which food supplements, vitamins and nutritional agents are needed to keep mind and body at maximum possible efficiency?

17. What is percentage of totally cured cases and what percentage cases have beyond ‘5’ years survival?

18. How to monitor progress of cure? It is important to know if the disease is getting controlled by noticing changes in symptoms and by diagnostic means.

19. What are the ways to contact doctor in case of emergency or if there is any query or if any advice urgently needed? Whom to contact in case doctor is not available? It is better to note down doctor's residential phone number and phone numbers and timings of all clinics, hospitals he/she must be visiting. 

Never ask what one could  have done to avoid the tragedy? This is useless question as it relates to past which one cannot change. No need to have guilt-trips.

Take second opinion, may be third, till one is convinced that this is the best line of treatment. It is necessary that one must be sure of getting the best treatment. This will help one in having positive approach leading to better immunity and will help body become synergistic with the treatment.

There can be a situation where answers to the very detailed inquiries can be the worst and patient might come to know that there are not many days left for him/her on this earth. In such cases as well, it is necessary that patient knows the facts. The initial reaction of the patient might be of shock and sorrow, but patients soon overcome that and plan to finish unfinished jobs in the days available. The majority of these patients live these remaining few days in a very determined manner and actually give support to loved ones who are emotionally broken down.

I am not a doctor nor am I a cancer patient at present; but I have accompanied number cancer patients to doctor’s cabin. I have seen the dilemma and confusion in minds of patients, relatives and friends after hearing cancer verdict. This has prompted me to write my thoughts.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Cancer: Does one need to Quit Smoking?

Cancer: Does one need to Quit Smoking? (Part I of IV)

I know a cancer patient aged around 70-75, suffering from lung cancer. As we all know screen heroes holding cigarette in the corner of lips were idols to imitate for all young people in 50’ and 60’ of last century. This old man was also no exception and had started smoking at very young age. He enjoyed his cigarette a lot and would always say, “With cigarette in my lips, I feel I am the king of my world”. As per the natural course, smoking had its effects and the man was diagnosed as suffering from lung cancer about 3 years ago.

The fellow was suffering. The problem started as simple cough which would not get cured even with strong cough mixtures. Cancer had invaded his entire body. He was enduring loss of weight, bloody cough, bone pain, breathlessness and not to mention side effects of chemotherapy. 

The relatives had taken all efforts to give him the best palliative treatment. One particular day, there was this new nurse on duty. She was most sincerely doing all the nursing work that was expected of her and was also having small talk. Naturally, talks drifted to topic of smoking and the nurse started enumerating ills of smoking. She continued for nearly 10-15 minutes giving lecture on how smoking is bad and causes cancer. The old man was helplessly listening to her endorsing how stupid he was to smoke.

Suddenly somebody shouted loudly from other room of the house. The tone of the scream was very intense and angry. The nurse really got scared and asked, “Who is that shouting so desperately?” The old man answered, “That is my 95 year old father. He must have run out of his Cigarettes.”

 This is the story all smokers will tell in defense of their smoking, as 95 year old man is seen to be enjoying smoking and has no problems.

At the same time, all smokers will not take any notice of the fact that the other man is dying because of smoking. Every smoker tends to think that he will have no problems due to smoking.

Smoking has been killing, is killing and will be killing.

It is easy to Quit Smoking if one accepts that he or she is no different from others and has no immunity against ill effects of smoking.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Cancer:It is a War

It is a War

We are at war, all the time. We cannot relax nor have loopholes any time, all the time. Apart from this, we must know that chances of recovery are nearly zero if we allow the enemy to invade even in a small way. I am talking about our war against cancer.

Like in any other battle, our approach towards this ever-impending danger should be from all four sides;

·       Enemy’s strength, strategy

·       Our weakness, strength

·       Our action plan and implementation

·       Confirmation of progress

1.    Enemy’s strength and Strategy: The enemy is cancer. Cancer is very strong danger for all human beings. It is known that cancer cells are in our body all the time, waiting for the right opportunity to multiply uncontrollably and form colonies. The enemy’s strength is that these cells are part of our body and our body does not get any signal of their presence. Often, by the time our body starts noticing symptoms like pain, loss of weight, lumps, unexplained anemia etc., the situation is already beyond control.  The other most powerful weapon in the armory of cancer is the creation of fear. This fear is the main cause for many persons ignoring the initial symptoms. When we notice some abnormalities in our body, we think of every other possibility but cancer.  This convenient denial of facts delays the treatment. The strategy of Cancer enemy is to attack the bodies which have become vulnerable due to obesity and unhealthy life style. Cancer attacks those who are weakened due to consumption of tobacco, alcohol and due to exposure to industrial pollutants and other carcinogens. The enemy’s strength is also the general lack of awareness, ignorance about the disease, fear and delay in action on our part.

2.     Our weakness, strength: Our weakness becomes enemy’s strength. The fear of the disease is understandable. All living beings fear suffering and death; but this fear can be conquered with strength of knowledge and awareness. We are fairly clear about the manner in which cancer attacks us and the precautions we can take. The main contributing factor for our weakness is demands of modern life.  We are leading very stressful life. We are going away from nature. The newer inventions, newer materials we use and the newer technologies have come with the cost. Most of the times, benefits from these outweigh risk of cancer associated with them. The science is constantly making progress in developing materials which are safe to use. Medical science clearly tells us how we should adopt healthy life style so as to stay away from the cancer.

3.    Our action plan and its implementation: We must accept that cancer is a dreadful disease and this acceptance is necessary to decide on action plan and its implementation. Once we know what we are fighting and how we are fighting, then planning action becomes fairly simple. We know that our body will most probably not give us any signal till it might be too late. This means, we have to be vigilant all the time. We must be ever watchful for any signs and symptoms that we might notice in our body. We have to avoid getting exposed to those items which are likely to cause cancer. Adopting healthy life style, regular exercises, maintaining proper body weight, eating healthy food containing required nutrients, vitamins, fibers and containing not more than required fatty substances is basis of action plan in our fight against cancer. Body immunity plays very vital role in fighting cancer. We can boost our immunity by having healthy body and mind. The implementation of this plan is a never-ending process. We can never be complacent; one small cling in armor is enough to bring down the entire castle.

4.    Confirmation of progress: Cancer attacks in a very secretive manner. We have to confirm our progress and ascertain impregnable defense 24X7.  We have to constantly watch our body functions and parameters. Regular health check up by qualified professionals is essential. We have to undertake screening for cancer at reputed cancer clinics at regular intervals as specified by our physicians. We must learn self examination techniques for ruling out cancers like those of breast and testicles.    

The regular screening is necessary for detecting the disease that can arise in spite of all the precautions.

One would find every cancer site stating prominently that ‘Cancer is Curable if Detected Early’. Our efforts are to avoid having any weeds in our gardens but if they appear then they must be nipped in the bud.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Irritation And Cancer

Consistent Irritation And Cancer

It is accepted that there is impending threat of cancer for every human being. There is fear of cancer in everybody’s mind. There are many reasons for this fear. The fact is that the disease is likely to be life threatening more often than not. The sufferings due to the disease are normally very severe. The treatment is not yet fully proved and at times the treatment makes sufferer more miserable than the disease itself.   Apart from these, the main reason behind the fear is that majority of us know very little about the enemy, its mode and reasons for attack and what precautions we should take so as to reduce our chances of getting cancer to minimum.

Nobody can learn to swim by reading books. The knowledge or actually the information available on internet is vast, but for a person not connected with medical field, this information rather adds to confusion than giving a solution. Most of us cannot understand basic medical terms, and when we read these topics without understanding terminology, and then it is like driving a car with the help of GPS giving instructions in a language unknown to us.

There can be many reasons and causes of Cancer. When we read various causes of cancer, we find one thing common in most of the cancers. Every Cancer cause is associated with ‘IRRITATION’. Constant irritation over longer duration of any particular body part can be the cause for Cancer.

·         Tobacco is the foremost cause of various cancers. Smoking causes irritation to lungs and other parts of respiratory system. Smoking tobacco regularly for many years increases probability of getting cancer of respiratory tract, and of lungs by many folds.

·         Chewing tobacco causes oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Those who chew tobacco keep tobacco under their tongue or lips for long time causing irritation to oral cavity, esophagus.

·         Obesity is major cause of cancers of the esophagus, colon and rectum, pancreas, breast, endometrium, and kidneys. Obesity burdens these organs excessively, causing constant pressure and irritation.

·          Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, and breast; and also causes cirrhosis, which raises the risk of liver cancer. A neat shot of any alcohol can give exact idea of the irritation it must be causing to the inner lining of digestive systems. Cirrhosis is caused as ultimately the alcohol one consumes gets broken down in liver.

·         Red meat and processed meat were convincingly linked to colorectal cancer. These foods are very tough to digest. They put extra burden on our digestive and excretory system. This constant irritation leads to cancer of various parts of alimentary canal.

·         Radiation causes skin cancer and exposure to radioactivity in high doses can cause cell-mutation leading to cancer.

·         Harmful chemicals, industrial pollutants, synthetic materials and proved carcinogenic substances are also predominantly source of irritation to body organs that get exposed to them. The prolonged exposure can lead to cancer.

There are many other reasons and causes for cancer. Some are understood and some are yet to be understood, but we can safely say long exposure to ‘Irritants’ can cause cancer.

We should take whatever precautions we can to reduce the chances of getting Cancer.

No one needs to be told what is healthy for oneself. Everybody is aware of what is necessary for maintaining perfectly healthy body. What one needs is ‘Realization’.

This ‘Realization’ can be achieved by us sharing our knowledge, ideas and experiences.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Am I a Cancer patient??

It is a known fact that we all have cancer cells in our bodies all along our life. These are like rotten mangoes and are likely to rot other cells as well. Our body immune system normally prevents these cells from multiplying and forming their colonies. The body defense mechanism has to be in perfect working condition to attack and destroy these cells. This means, I am cancer patient all along my life but my body’s defense system is keeping me protected.

The other important point is that if I have cancer, meaning my body has failed in preventing uncontrolled growth of these cancer cells, then how and when do I notice that? In most of the cases, the sufferer notices the cancer when there are disturbances in normal body functions. In nearly all these cases, the patient wastes a lot of time by making blind eye to the facts, or because of convenient denial saying, ‘it cannot happen to me’.

 The smallest cancer that can be detected by examination, x-ray or scan is a little less than one fourth inch in diameter. A cancer this size contains between 100,000,000 (10⁸) 1,000,000,000 (10⁹) cancer cells. If a cancer starts as a single cell and that cell begins to divide, and if the volume of that mass of cancer cells doubles every 45 days, then it would take about 30 doublings for the mass of cancer cells to reach the size of a mass about one fourth inch in diameter. This could take several years. It would only take 10 more doublings to reach a size considered fatal. Forty doublings would be 1,000,000,000,000 (10¹²) cells or about one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cancer. Of these forty doublings, the first thirty occurred prior to the time of the cancer being detectable. (Ref: http://www.gyncancer.com/what-is.html)

In my previous blogs on topic of Cancer Prevention, Cancer Causes and Cancer Symptoms, I have tried to give concise information. In short, this fight against cancer is an ongoing process.

There is another wider perspective to answer the question, “ Am I a cancer patient?” The cancer prevalence is much higher than what normal person can imagine. 12.5% of total deaths are due to cancer.  Cancer prevalence in India is estimated to be around 2.5 million which is one in every 4000, with over 2500 new cases and 1500 deaths occurring daily due to this disease. The impact of cancer is far greater than mere numbers. Its diagnosis causes immense emotional trauma and its treatment, a major economical burden. This disease is associated with a lot of fear and despair in India. If we consider our society as one throbbing lively organism, then we all are tiny cells of this live organism. If one part of society has got cancer, then it is going to adversely affect growth of entire society. No one is isolated. We cannot be complaisant by just saying, I am not suffering from cancer or my close relative, friend is not suffering from cancer. We all have to be together in this war against Cancer.

Sadly, the answer is affirmative to question, “Am I A Cancer Patient”?

Apart from all this, our society is suffering from cancer of corruption, nepotism, lawlessness and many other social evils, but to fight that we elect our representatives every five years, employ police force and other government officials with very high expectations but with little hope. 

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind

Why are you troubling her??

“Why are you troubling her??” The words spoken by CT scan machine technician at Tata cancer hospital Mumbai. I swept away the statement thinking, “what does he know?” He is a simple technician. I have the most renowned oncologists to look after my sister.

The reports are rushed to the treating doctor. He gazes into nowhere, ponders for some time. Attaches few more papers to already thick case paper file and tells me, “the disease has spread, but do not worry. We shall change the medication. Things will be alright.”

The devastating story began with my sister suffering from certain cancer. What type of cancer is not important at this point.  The diagnosis was accidental. Perfectly healthy renowned gynecologist as she was, very busy with her professional work! One day she felt little dizzy. Next day, lab test revealed that she was suffering from jaundice and after a few days that jaundice was proved to be due to pancreatic cancer. She was Rich, famous and also being most loved and adored person. All top most doctors offered their services and expertise. Radio, chemotherapy started with best of best.

Six months later, I was accompanying her inside CT scan room wearing the lead vest around me to protect myself from radiation. After various machine adjustments, data feeding on panel and injection of certain expensive dye, the beam of light started revolving around her. After a few minutes, the technician asks me, “How are you related to the patient?” “I am her younger brother”, I replied. And he said “Why are you troubling her with these tests and treatments? Leave her alone.”

My sister could survive pain, spreading disease and side effects of various treatments only for 4 months beyond that day.

I am not against chemotherapy or various cancer treatments. My objection is to the fact that even the doctors are not sure what they are doing. Tell the cancer patient and his relatives the truth and limitations of your treatment or attempts. I am not saying, “Give my money back if your treatment fails”. I do ask for guarantee when I buy an electric bulb or a small music system. I am aware of their limitations but I have right to be well informed. It is my life.

I want to know if there is an incidence when they managed to cure pancreas cancer, lung cancer, ovarian, or for that matter, any other type of cancer completely in rats, mice, guinea pigs or any other animal. I am demanding to know if there occurred a total cure of the disease in any of the animals. Or, is the treatment only for controlling the disease and extending life? I feel that my body should be available for experimentation only after successful experimentation on mice and rats.

All the same, please read my previous blog about Prevention, Symptoms and Causes of Cancer. I would like to hear from about your experiences with cancer futile and successful as well.

Happy Mind Is Healthy Mind