Vertex Oncology Dr Giri

  Introduction: Understanding Radiation Therapy A diagnosis of cancer can bring many questions and concerns. One of the most commonly recommended treatments is radiation therapy , also known as radiotherapy . Many people worry when they hear the word "radiation," but modern radiation therapy is a highly planned and precise treatment designed to target cancer while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible. Radiation therapy uses carefully controlled high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells. When cancer cells are unable to repair this damage, they stop dividing and eventually die. The body's natural processes then gradually remove the damaged cells. Radiation therapy is an important treatment for many cancers and may be used alone or together with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments. This article explains, in simple language, what radiation therapy is, how it works, which machines are used, and when radiation is given with curative...

  In today's busy and increasingly sedentary world, exercise is often viewed simply as a way to lose weight or improve appearance. However, its benefits go far beyond fitness. Regular physical activity produces remarkable changes throughout the body—including changes in hormones, metabolism, immunity, and inflammation—that can help reduce the risk of cancer and many other chronic diseases. As a doctor, one of the most important messages I share with patients is simple: exercise is not just a lifestyle choice; it is a powerful form of preventive medicine. How Does Exercise Protect Our Body? When we exercise, our muscles, heart, brain, and immune system communicate through a complex network of chemical messengers. Exercise influences several important hormones and signalling molecules that affect how our cells grow, repair themselves, and respond to disease. 1. Exercise Helps Regulate Hormones Linked to Cancer Some hormones can stimulate cell growth when present at persistently high ...

As a senior Radiation Oncologist serving patients in North Karnataka, I warmly welcome the Karnataka Government’s recent decision to prohibit, for one year, the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other specified products containing tobacco and/or nicotine . The order of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Karnataka, took effect from 10 August 2026 and has been issued in the interest of public health. I sincerely congratulate and thank the Government of Karnataka, the Food Safety Commissioner and the officials involved in implementing this important public-health measure . Why this decision matters to cancer doctors Every day, cancer specialists witness the devastating consequences of tobacco use—not merely in statistics, but in the lives of real people and their families. As a Radiation Oncologist, I regularly treat patients with oral cavity, tongue, cheek, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal and other head-and-neck cancers . A sign...

  5 Common Mistakes Cancer Patients Make During Treatment Avoid These Errors to Improve Your Chances of Recovery By Dr. M. G. Giriyappagoudar Senior Radiation Oncologist, North Karnataka "Doctor, Why Did My Treatment Not Work as Expected?" After more than a decade of treating thousands of cancer patients, I have noticed something important. Most patients do not lose their battle against cancer because they are weak. Many struggle because of avoidable mistakes made during treatment. Cancer treatment today is more advanced than ever. We have modern surgery, precision radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine. Yet, despite these advances, some patients unknowingly make decisions that reduce the effectiveness of treatment. The good news? Most of these mistakes can be prevented. If you or a loved one is undergoing cancer treatment, understanding these common errors may help improve outcomes, reduce complications, and make the treat...

  Introduction: The Health Check-Up Most People Postpone Many people spend years building a successful career, business, farm, or family. They regularly service their car, insure their property, and invest in their future. Yet when it comes to health, especially cancer screening, many postpone testing until symptoms appear. Unfortunately, cancer often remains silent in its early stages. By the time symptoms develop, the disease may already be advanced. The good news is that many common cancers can be detected early—or even prevented—through regular screening. If you are above 40 years of age, this article may be one of the most important health checklists you will ever read. Why Cancer Screening Matters Cancer screening means looking for cancer before symptoms develop. The goal is simple: Find cancer early when treatment is easier, less expensive, and more successful. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one-third of cancer deaths can be prevented through early...

  One of the most emotional questions cancer patients ask after completing treatment is: "Doctor, is my cancer completely cured?" Closely followed by another question: "Can cancer come back again?" The answer is sometimes difficult because cancer is not a single disease. Some cancers are cured permanently, while others may return months or even years after successful treatment. For many cancer survivors, the fear of recurrence becomes a bigger challenge than the treatment itself. Every new pain, cough, headache, or blood test abnormality can trigger anxiety. Understanding why cancer recurs, who is at risk, and how recurrence can be detected early helps patients regain control and confidence after treatment. What Is Cancer Recurrence? Cancer recurrence means that cancer returns after treatment and after a period during which no detectable cancer was found. A patient may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combinatio...

  One of the most common questions cancer patients ask is: "Doctor, should I stop eating sugar because sugar feeds cancer?" Many patients are advised by friends, relatives, social media influencers, and alternative medicine practitioners to completely eliminate sugar, fruits, rice, or carbohydrates from their diet. Some patients even become afraid to eat a banana or drink a glass of milk. But what does science actually say? The answer is more complex than a simple "yes" or "no." The Origin of the Myth The belief that "sugar feeds cancer" comes from a scientific observation known as the Warburg Effect. Nearly 100 years ago, German scientist Otto Warburg observed that cancer cells consume glucose (sugar) at a much higher rate than normal cells. This discovery eventually helped develop PET-CT scanning, where radioactive glucose is injected into the body and cancer cells light up because they absorb more glucose than surrounding tissues. This p...