Cancer: Side effects of
cancer treatment
Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
form a part of the standardised regimen for curing or palliating cancer symptoms. Traditional chemotherapeutic
agents act by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of
most cancer cells.
This means that chemo and radioactive therapy also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. Thus resulting in the most common side effects of chemotherapy: myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells, hence also immunosuppressant), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), and alopecia (hair loss).
Whereas, the other side effects take a longer time to wear off and return to normalcy, alopecia or hair loss tends to affect the self-esteem and confidence of cancer patients.
Commenting on the same, Mr. Rahul Bajpai, BNH HCG, Cancer Centre Head said, "Hair loss is caused by chemo and radioactive therapy. This change in appearance can drastically undermine the patient's self-image and cause additional trauma. A "total care" approach should be used, by using a multi disciplinary approach to meet the physical and emotional needs of our patients to give them new options and renewed hope."
Dr Kailash Mishra, Consultant Oncologist (Radiation) BNH HCG said, "Hair loss (scalp) is a common unwanted adverse effect of cancer treatment, caused by chemo and radiotherapy (skull). However, the transition phase wears off and a patient is cured and recovers his self -esteem."
(Data courtesy: The oncologist specialist team at BNH HCG Cancer Center, Mumbai)
Source: www.timesofindia.com
08.10.2013
She pedals in the
Himalayas for cancer awareness
Fashion designer Jaskeerat Bedi
rides a bike through the treacherous terrain of Himachal Pradesh to drive home the
message against breast cancer.
The 26-year-old from Delhi is one of the participants in the ninth edition of the six-day MTB Himalaya-2013, one of the world's toughest mountain biking events.
According to Mohit Sood, president of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association - the Shimla-based club organising the rally - Jaskeerat is the first participant to spread awareness about the deadly disease.
"I am participating in the event for the first time. The focus is not on retaining any title but to spread awareness about breast cancer, one of the most common malignancies in women in this state," Jaskeerat said.
The rally, comprising 70 intrepid cyclists, was flagged off from ShimlaSaturday. After passing through Mashobra, Kufri, Matiana, Narkanda, Hatu, Baghi, Khadrala, Tikkar and then again to Narkanda, it would culminate in the state capital Oct 3.
For Bedi, participating in the rally means conveying a message directly to the womenfolk, especially in rural areas: "Don't get shy and confined, defeat the myth that it (breast cancer) is not curable."
"When other rallyists are resting after completing every leg, I prefer to meet the locals," says Bedi, who is representing Delhi-based Forum for Breast Cancer Protection.
She is carrying literature and pamphlets for sensitising the people.
Portuguese bikers Luis Leao Pinto, the Titan desert MTB Marathon champion and ninth in world rankings, and Ricardo Rodrigues Martins, ranked 16th in the world, are among the 16 foreign participants from nine countries in the rally.
The highest point of the rally is the 3,400-metre Hatu peak, overlooking the tourist destination of Narkanda. On an average, a cyclist would pedal about 70 km daily, Sood said.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
08.10.2013
Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is
doing the right things
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