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Genetic Testing for Cancer: Who Needs It and How Can It Help? By Dr. M. G. Giriyappagoudar Senior Radiation Oncologist, HCG Cancer Centre, Hubli | North Karnataka

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  When we hear the word “genetic testing,” many people think: “Does this mean I have cancer?” Not necessarily. Genetic testing can help us understand whether a person has inherited a change in a gene that can increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Only about 5–10% of all cancers are estimated to be caused by inherited harmful genetic changes . Therefore, not everyone needs genetic testing . What is genetic testing for cancer? Our body contains genes that act like instructions for our cells. Sometimes, a person is born with a harmful change in one of these genes. This change may increase the chance of developing certain cancers during life. A genetic test can look for these inherited changes, usually using a blood or saliva sample . This is called germline genetic testing . But there is another type of genetic testing Tumor genetic testing looks at DNA changes inside cancer cells. It is mainly used to help doctors understand the cancer and sometimes select targeted treat...
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5 Cancer Signs Indians Often Ignore — Don't Wait for Pain A small warning today can prevent a big problem tomorrow

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 Cancer does not always begin with severe pain. In fact, some important cancer warning signs can be painless, mild, intermittent or easily mistaken for common problems. A mouth ulcer may be called “heat.” Bleeding may be blamed on piles. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be considered part of menopause. A breast lump may be ignored because it doesn't hurt. Persistent swallowing difficulty may be treated as acidity. But persistent or unusual symptoms should not simply be ignored. India has a significant burden of cancers of the breast, oral cavity, cervix, lung and oesophagus. Early detection can make a major difference because many cancers are more treatable when found at an earlier stage. Here are 5 cancer signs that deserve more attention. A Mouth Ulcer or White/Red Patch That Doesn't Heal Don't keep calling it “heat” or “tobacco irritation.” A mouth ulcer that heals within a short period is usually not a reason for alarm. But a persistent ulcer, growth, white patch...
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Cancer Is Not the End: After Treatment, Train Your Body and Mind Like a Sportsperson By Dr. M. G. Giriyappagoudar, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Hubli, North Karnataka

 You have completed your cancer treatment. The surgery is over. Chemotherapy is over. Radiation therapy is over. But many cancer survivors face another challenge: “What if the cancer comes back?” This fear is understandable. But your life after cancer should not be spent continuously waiting for the next scan or worrying about recurrence. Your treatment has finished. Now your new journey begins. Think of yourself like a sportsperson who has completed a difficult match. A sportsperson does not spend every day thinking, “What if I lose the next match?” Instead, they train. They eat better. They sleep better. They become stronger. They build stamina. They maintain their weight. They keep moving. Cancer survivors can adopt the same mindset. Don't live like a patient. Start living like a survivor. After completing treatment, your goal should not simply be: “I hope the cancer doesn't come back.” Change that thought to: “I am going to make my body and mind stronger every day.” You can...
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5 Powerful Ways to Reduce the Risk of Cancer Coming Back

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 Simple lifestyle changes every cancer survivor should start today By Dr M G Giriyappagoudar, Senior Oncologist, Hubli, North Karnataka Finishing cancer treatment is a major victory. But many cancer survivors ask me: “Doctor, what can I do now to reduce the chance of cancer coming back?” There is no single food, tablet, yoga or home remedy that can guarantee prevention of recurrence. However, your daily lifestyle can play an important role in your long-term health and recovery. Here are 5 powerful habits every cancer survivor should consider. 🏃 Exercise – Make Movement Your Medicine You don't need to become an athlete. Start with 30 minutes of brisk walking most days of the week and gradually increase your activity. Add simple strength exercises 2–3 times a week if medically appropriate. Exercise can help: Maintain healthy body weight Improve insulin sensitivity Reduce chronic inflammation Improve heart and lung fitness Strengthen muscles and bones Improve mood, sl...
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Exercise: The Hormonal Medicine Your Body Makes for Itself How exercise changes your hormones — from the first few minutes to many years of regular activity

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  Exercise is often described as a way to burn calories, strengthen muscles and improve heart health. But there is another fascinating side to exercise: when we move our bodies, our muscles, brain, adrenal glands and other organs communicate with each other by releasing hormones and hormone-like substances. In fact, skeletal muscle is now considered an endocrine organ because contracting muscles release biologically active substances called myokines , which can influence metabolism, inflammation, the brain, immune system and other organs. The hormonal response to exercise is not the same every time. There is a difference between what happens during one exercise session and what happens after months or years of regular exercise . 1. What happens during the first few minutes of exercise? When you start walking, running, cycling or exercising, your body immediately recognizes that its energy requirements have increased. The sympathetic nervous system becomes activated and the adrena...
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ಸ್ತನ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ದೇಹದಿಂದ ದೂರವಾದ ನಂತರ… ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಆ ಭಯವನ್ನು ದೂರ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಮಯ

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  ಸ್ತನ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ನಿಂದ ಗುಣಮುಖರಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬ ಮಹಿಳೆಗೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆಂಕಾಲಜಿಸ್ಟ್‌ನ ಒಂದು ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಸಂದೇಶ ಪ್ರಿಯ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಗೆದ್ದ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರೇ, ಸ್ತನ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯ ನಂತರ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸುತ್ತಲಿನ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಒಂದು ಭಾವನೆ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ— “ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಮುಗಿದಿದೆ… ಈಗ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿದೆ.” ಶಸ್ತ್ರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಮುಗಿದಿರಬಹುದು. ಕೀಮೋಥೆರಪಿ ಮುಗಿದಿರಬಹುದು. ರೇಡಿಯೇಷನ್ ಥೆರಪಿ ಮುಗಿದಿರಬಹುದು. ಫಾಲೋ-ಅಪ್ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನ್‌ಗಳು ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿರಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ… ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ದೇಹದಿಂದ ಹೊರಟರೂ, ಅದರ ಭಯ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಉಳಿಯಬಹುದು. ಸಣ್ಣ ನೋವು ಬಂದರೂ, “ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬಂದಿದೆಯೇ?” ಎಂಬ ಯೋಚನೆ ಬರಬಹುದು. ಮುಂದಿನ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನ್ ಯಾವಾಗ ಎಂದು ಆತಂಕವಾಗಬಹುದು. ಒಂದು ರಾತ್ರಿ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬರದಿದ್ದರೂ, “ನನ್ನ ದೇಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನಾದರೂ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಇದೆಯೇ?” ಎಂದು ಯೋಚಿಸಬಹುದು. ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಹೊಸ ಲಕ್ಷಣವನ್ನೂ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿ ನೋಡಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆಂಕಾಲಜಿಸ್ಟ್ ಆಗಿ ನಾನು ನಿಮಗೆ ಒಂದು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾದ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ: ನೀವು ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್‌ಗಿಂತ ಬಹಳ ದೊಡ್ಡವರು. ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆ. ಅದು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಗುರುತಲ್ಲ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ಬದಲಿಸಿರಬಹುದು. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆದ್ಯತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬದಲಿಸಿರಬಹುದು. ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ನೋಡುವ ನಿಮ್ಮ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನವನ್ನೂ ಬದಲಿಸಿರಬಹುದು. ...
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After Breast Cancer: You Removed the Disease From Your Body — Now It’s Time to Remove the Fear From Your Mind

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  An oncologist’s message to every woman who has fought breast cancer Dear Survivor, When breast cancer treatment ends, everyone around you may feel that the battle is over. Your surgery is completed. Your chemotherapy or radiation therapy is completed. Your reports may show no evidence of disease. People may tell you, “You are cured now. Forget everything and move on.” But sometimes, moving on is not that simple. The disease may have been removed from your body, but the fear of the disease may continue to live in your mind . Every pain can make you wonder, “Has the cancer returned?” Every follow-up scan can create anxiety. A sleepless night may make you think something is wrong. You may constantly watch your body for signs of recurrence. As your oncologist, I want to tell you something important: You are more than your cancer. Breast cancer is something that happened in your life. It does not define who you are. Your treatment may have changed your body. It may have changed your p...
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