Vertex Oncology Dr Giri

 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...

  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...

  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. ...

  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...

 Cancer treatment can be life-saving, but the cost of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, diagnostic scans and supportive care can create a major financial burden for families. Many patients in Hubballi, Dharwad and other parts of North Karnataka are unaware that government financial assistance and health schemes may be available to eligible patients. One important option that patients can explore is financial assistance through the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). Depending on the patient's eligibility and the nature of treatment, other schemes such as Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) and certain Central Government assistance programmes may also help reduce the financial burden. What is the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund? The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a government mechanism through which financial assistance may be provided to eligible people facing serious medical and other hardships. For patients with cancer or other major illne...

  Introduction After surgery for breast cancer, many patients are advised to receive adjuvant radiation therapy. The purpose of this treatment is simple: to destroy any microscopic cancer cells that may remain in the breast, chest wall, or nearby lymph node areas and thereby reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Modern radiation therapy is no longer simply about directing radiation towards the breast. Today, advanced technologies help radiation oncologists shape, control, and precisely deliver radiation according to each patient's anatomy. One such advanced technique is called VMAT—Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy. But what is VMAT, and is it better than conventional radiation therapy for breast cancer? Let's understand this in simple terms. Important: VMAT is not automatically the best technique for every breast cancer patient. The best radiation technique should be selected individually based on the patient's anatomy, the area requiring treatment, and the ability to ...