Sometimes referred to as "chemo, "Chemotherapy is often used to describe drugs that directly kill cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is cancer-specific and is used to treat the cancer.

To shrink tumours before surgery or radiation therapy. To relieve symptoms (such as pain) To destroy microscopic cancer cells that may be present after the known tumour is removed surgically to prevent a possible cancer recurrence. To control tumour growth when cure is not possible.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a treatment for cancer that uses high doses of Radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away. It takes days or weeks of treatment before DNA is damaged enough for cancer cells to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months after radiation therapy ends.

Radiation Therapy is categorised as External Beam and Internal Beam.
External beam radiation therapy aims at giving Radiation from outside the body to the cancerous tumour.
Internal radiation therapy is the type of radiotherapy in which a source of Radiation is put close to or inside the tumour temporarily to deliver a high dose of radiation precisely in a very short period of time.

Simply put, a Mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is the best screening tool to detect breast cancer as early as even up to 3 years before it can be felt.

Both men and women are vulnerable to any form of cancer, but each gender is more vulnerable to certain types of cancer than the other. Listed below are the most commonly occurring cancers in men, as per the national cancer statistics (ref: cancerindia.org.in)

• Breast
• Colon and rectum
• Lung
• Prostate
• Oral Cancer

Cancer treatment options include:

• Surgery: The goal of surgery is to remove cancer or as much of the tumour as possible.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted drug therapy: Targeted drug therapy uses drugs to target molecular changes in the cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a drug treatment that uses the immune system to fight cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy).
• Blood and marrow transplant (BMT): A blood and marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, uses healthy stem cells either from your own bone marrow or from a healthy donor to replace damaged blood cells.
• Hormone therapy: Some types of cancer are fuelled by the hormones in the body. Blocking the production or effect of these hormones may cause the cancer cells to stop growing. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are sensitive to hormone therapy.

Vaccination for cancer is not available. However, you can be vaccinated against certain viruses which are known to cause specific cancers, such as HPV (Cervical cancer) and hepatitis C and B (Liver cancer).

• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer

• Avoid excessive fluids if the child has heart failure.
• Should have a nourishing diet and avoid excessive salt intake.
• Coronary Artery Disease and Degenerative heart disease.
• Animal products can increase cholesterol levels, especially Red meat.
• Plant products like vegetables, fruits, and nuts do not increase cholesterol at all.
• Carbohydrates (rice, sugar, wheat) should be taken in limited quantities as.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is essential for producing hormones, vitamin D, and digestive bile, but high cholesterol levels in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is produced by the liver and can also be obtained through certain foods, such as animal products.

Cardiovascular disease is treated in a variety of ways, depending on the severity of the disease, the type, and the individual's genetics and family history. Outlined below are a few of the most common treatment options.

• Medications: These are used to treat all types of cardiovascular diseases, including strokes, valve problems, heart attacks, and arrhythmias.
• Surgery: There are a number of surgeries used to treat cardiovascular disease. For example, a coronary angioplasty may be used in response to a heart attack, whereas a pacemaker may be placed in a minimally invasive surgery to manage and treat an arrhythmia
• Lifestyle changes: Some forms of cardiovascular disease are treated with simple recommendations to alter certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, diet, and exercise.

Alcohol is a type of drug known as a depressant that slows down the body’s central nervous system. After a person has had a few drinks, it immediately affects the way they think or act. Alcohol can make a person feel sleepy, less coordinated, and slow to react. And it can cause your brain to feel foggy as well as make you think and see differently. After years of drinking, alcohol use can cause stomach and intestinal problems, liver damage, nerve and muscle damage, heart problems, and brain damage. Alcohol can cause everything from blackouts to permanent loss of brain function and memory. Researchers have also linked longterm drinking to cancer of the throat, mouth, liver, esophagus, and larynx. Drinking alcohol can also lead to emotional and psychological problems such as sadness and depression. If a pregnant woman drinks too much alcohol, it can seriously injure her unborn baby and result in birth defects

• Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
• A headache which changes
• Loss of feeling or tingling
• Weakness or loss of muscle strength
• Sudden loss of sight
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle rigidity
• Muscle spasms or tics

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses small incisions and special medical equipment to access the spine and perform the procedure, minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue. Some treatments include:

• Discectomy - If a herniated or bulging disc is placing pressure on a nearby nerve, a discectomy can be performed to remove part or all of the disc material.
• Spinal Fusion - This procedure permanently joins two adjacent vertebrae into one solid bone, eliminating painful movement and providing stability at that joint.
• Laminectomy - The back part of the vertebrae, called the lamina, can be removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
• Foraminotomy - By widening the openings where the nerves leave the spinal canal, this procedure helps improve symptoms of nerve root compression.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance because it is elective.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. In general, reconstructive surgery is performed to improve function, but may also be completed to approximate a normal appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is typically covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

The decision is based on a number of factors, including the patient's desires, reasons for the surgery and overall health.

For example, are you doing it because you feel your breasts are too small relative to your body contour or are you unhappy with the size and firmness of your breasts following pregnancy, breastfeeding or major weight loss? Unevenness between the breasts can also be a motivating factor. Your surgeon can help you make the right decision during your pre-surgical appointments.

Botox, medically known as botulinum toxin type A, is an injection that is generally used in cosmetic procedures to reduce signs of aging. Botulinum toxins are basically neurotoxins that are capable of causing muscle weakness by blocking its nerve signals. As a result, the muscle becomes unable to contract which gives it a more smooth appearance by eliminating any wrinkles or fine lines.

Botox injections can be used to fulfill a wide variety of cosmetic desires. Some of the most commonly discussed uses of botox include:

• Reducing wrinkles between the eyebrows
• Reducing wrinkles around the eyes
• Improving the appearance of horizontal creases in the forehead
• Lifting corners of the mouth
• Removing ‘cobblestone’ skin on the chin
• Correcting a gummy smile

Robotic technology has allowed many disciplines to incorporate robotic surgery into their operative management of many cancers, including lung, esophagus, gynecologic (ovarian, endometrial), urologic (kidney, bladder, testicular), and gastrointestinal cancer (stomach, pancreas, colorectal), to name some.

In general surgery, robotic systems can be used for various purposes, such as performing minimally invasive surgeries, removing tumors, repairing organs, and other surgical procedures. Not all general surgeons are trained in robotic surgery, and surgeons who perform robotic surgeries undergo special, additional training

Proton therapy is a radiation therapy that uses tiny particles called protons. Protons are excellent cell killers, but because of the way protons deliver their energy, proton therapy does not damage as much healthy tissue as much as photon therapy. Therefore, a higher dose of radiation can be targeted at the tumour without affecting many normal healthy cells.

Proton therapy can be effective in treating many types of tumours, including tumours of the brain, head and neck, central nervous system, lung, prostate and gastrointestinal system. Proton therapy is often the preferred option for treating solid tumours in children because protons can be controlled precisely so there is less radiation of normal tissues, helping prevent serious complications and lessening the chance of secondary tumours. Proton beam therapy is the preferred standard for many tumours, including:

• Ocular tumours, including intraocular melanomas
• Tumours that approach or are located at the base of skull such as Chordoma and Chondrosarcomas
• Spine tumours - Primary or metastatic
• Hepatocellular cancer
• Paediatric solid tumours - primary or benign tumours in children
• Brain and spinal cord tumours - Malignant and benign
• Advanced and/or unrespectable head and neck cancers such as Cancers of the paranasal sinuses and other accessory sinuses; e.g. adenoid cystic carcinoma, Advanced Nasopharyngeal cancer and Advanced cancer of the buccal mucosa
• Retroperitoneal sarcomas
• Re-irradiation cases- where radiation is being considered for the second or third time to the same site

The above sites have sufficient evidence available currently, that there is a definite benefit in using proton therapy. However, many other cancers may also have a benefit when proton therapy is used, especially when compared to conventional X-ray therapy. These include:

• Oesophageal cancers
• Breast Cancer
• Oropharynx Cancer
• Salivary Gland cancers
• Lung Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Sarcomas
• Tumours in the base of the skull

When you meet with your cancer care team, your oncologist will give you the options that will be most effective in treating your type of cancer. Together with your cancer care team, you can decide on the treatment option that’s right for you. Proton therapy will be most beneficial to:

• Paediatric patients
• Those whose tumour is very close to critical structures
• Those who are receiving radiation for the second or third time
• Those who have a long life expectancy after radiation and are at risk for second cancers to develop during their lifetime.
• Those with inherent conditions which predispose them to excessive toxicity or higher risk of second malignancy after radiation.

However, these are not the only patients who may benefit from proton therapy. Your radiation oncologist will discuss with you in detail the benefits of proton therapy for your particular cancer type and site.