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Managing fear of cancer recurrence

There is always a fear in cancer survivors that the cancer will come back. Though we cannot control whether the cancer will come back, we can control how much this fear will affect our life.  This is Dr. Murali Subramanian, Medical Oncologist in Bangalore, this blog is dedicated to the various ways cancer survivors and how to manage the fear of cancer recurrence.

Tips for coping with the fear of recurrence

We know that living with uncertainty is never easy. However, it is important to remind yourself that fear and anxiety is normal factors of survivorship. Worrying about cancer recurrence is normally most intense the first year after treatment. In most patients, this worry usually gets better over time.

I will today share with you a few ideas to help you or your loved one cope with the fear of recurrence:

  • Recognize your emotions. It is recommended that you never hide your emotions. Many cancer survivors I have seen try to hide or ignore negative feelings like fear and anxiety. When you ignore them, it only allows them to become stronger over a period of time and more overwhelming. We usually recommend our patients to talk about their fears with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. When you talk out loud about your feelings, it may help you figure out the reasons behind your fears. You will be able to know why you are feeling this way- the fear of having to repeat cancer treatment, losing control over your life, or facing death. Another way our fighters have coped with fear is by writing down their feelings.
  • Don’t ignore your fears. It is normal to experience fears. So do not be hard on yourself for not being brave enough. By criticizing yourself for these emotions will only suppress your strength. Accept your feelings and focus your energy on managing them. Know that these emotions cannot always be managed and may increase temporarily. It may flare up before follow-up visits and if you hear other’s stories. Your fears may never come true.
  • Do not worry alone. We know that most people lead busy lives and may not always be there to hear your concerns. Hence we suggest our fighters join support groups. People in these groups are usually more understanding and less judgemental. Joining these groups also allow you to exchange practical information and helpful tips. The experience often creates a sense of belonging that helps survivors feel less alone.
  • Reduce stress. Every person deals with stress differently. Finding ways to manage the stress that suits your personality will help lower your overall level of anxiety. You could try different ways of reducing stress to find out what works best for you. This could include:
    • Quality time with family and friends
    • Focus on hobbies and other activities you enjoy
    • Meditation and other relaxing techniques
    • Exercising
    • Reading a book or watching a comedy movie
  • Be well informed. Some people tend to worry that every ache or pain is an indication of cancer recurrence. Remember that most cancers have a predictable pattern of recurrence, hence talking to your doctor can tell you clearly about the chances of cancer coming back. Being informed will help you get rid of unnecessary fear and anxiety. You must know about what symptoms to look out for.
  • Talk with your doctor about follow-up tests. Follow-up visits should not be avoided as they are intended to check for a recurrence of cancer. Your follow-up visit may include physical examinations or medical tests to keep track of your recovery. Having a regular schedule of follow-up visits can help you get a sense of control.
  • Make a healthy lifestyle choice. Healthy habits like eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep help people feel better both physically and emotionally. Avoiding unhealthy habits, like smoking and excessive drinking, helps people feel like they have more control over their health. You might find yourself overwhelmed by fear or anxiety even after your best efforts to cope with it.
Cancer Recurrence | Top Medical Oncologist in Bangalore
Cancer Recurrence | Top Medical Oncologist in Bangalore

But if you are feeling the below feelings for a prolonged time, please talk to your doctor or visit Top Medical Oncologist in Bangalore:

  • Worry or anxiety that gets in the way of your relationships and daily activities or prevents you from going to your follow-up appointments
  • Feeling hopeless about the future
  • Having trouble sleeping or eating well
  • Not participating in activities you used to enjoy
  • Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
  • Feeling that you have nothing to look forward to
  • Being unusually forgetful

If you are concerned about anything on this list, talk with your doctor or write to me. This is Dr. Murali Subramanian, Medical Oncologist in Bangalore.

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Importance of mammogram in the prevention of breast cancer

Breast Cancer Treatment Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian has explained the importance of mammograms in the prevention of breast cancer in this blog. Thank you for the overwhelming messages all of you have been sending me. It motivates me to provide more and more information. This is Dr. Murali Subramanian, Best Medical Oncologist in Bangalore. I have received several queries regarding the prevention and tests of breast cancer. Hence, I have decided to talk about mammograms today and if every woman should take this test.

Time and again I have stressed on the need to finding breast cancer early and subsequently getting the right treatment. This can prevent deaths from breast cancer. We have seen over the years that breast tumour, if detected early, when it’s small and not spread to different parts, is easier to treat with successful results.

Hence I recommend getting regular screening tests, as it is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early.

What are the screening tests?

Before experiencing any symptoms,it is possible to detect tumours in the breast,if you go for regular screening. Screening in simple terms refer to tests used to find a disease in patients who don’t have any symptoms. Early detectionrefers to finding and diagnosing a disease earlier than if you waited for symptoms to start.

When we find presence of a tumour in breasts during screening, it is usually small and confined to the breast. Doctors usually consider the size of a breast tumour and how far it has spread to predict the prognosis.

We recommend women between 40 and 44 to start getting screened with a mammogram every year.

Women between 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

Women 55 and older can choose to mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.

All of you who is considering going for mammogram must be aware of the procedure and know what the tests can do.

Mammograms

Mammograms are a screening test for breast cancer in which low-dose x-rays are used for detection of tumours. If you can get a mammogram done every year, it can help find breast cancer at an early stage. At this stage it is easier to treat cancer. A mammogram has been beneficial in detecting early tumours. According to a study conducted over decades of research it has been found that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early. These women are less likely to need aggressive treatment like surgery to remove the breast and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured.

Mammogram | Breast Cancer Treatment Bangalore
Mammogram | Breast Cancer Treatment Bangalore

Remember that just like other tests, Mammograms are not perfect. They have missed some cancers. Also, doctors may suggest additional tests to confirm the results. Have you heard of over diagnosis? You might be diagnosed with a cancer that never would have caused any problems had it not been found during screening. I am telling you all this as it is important for women getting mammograms to know what to expect and understand the benefits and limitations of the test.

Recently, a new type of mammogram called digital breast tomosynthesis or 3D mammography has become much moe popular. You can check with your doctor if they do provide this test and if this is the right choice for you.

It is seen that 3D mammography appears to lower the chance of being again having to go back for follow-up testing. It also appears to find more breast cancers.

3D mammograms often cost more than 2D mammograms and that needs to be considered too before deciding.

Clinical breast exam and breast self-exam

Clinical Exams | Breast Cancer Treatment Bangalore
Clinical Exams | Breast Cancer Treatment Bangalore

By now I hope all of you are aware of the benefit of regular physical breast exams done by either a doctor or by women themselves. It is seen that breast cancer is detected after a woman finds a certain abnormality in her breast, usually not during a proper routine self-examination but when they were having a bath or dressing.  I would like to stress here that women should be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and if they find anything out of the ordinary, any small changes or signs, they should consult a doctor without further delay.

While you can visit a doctor for regular check-ups, a self-examination at home is also recommended. I hope I have answered most of your queries. Please feel free to write to me in case you need details on more specific topics. I will try to answer all of you.

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Podcast

Coping with cancer – Day to day life

Best Cancer Doctors in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian

This is Dr. Murali Subramanian, a medical oncologist, practicing in Bengaluru. Welcome back to my podcast channel “ cancer care” 

Dealing with cancer is obviously a life-changing event for most people fighting cancer. Stories of brave heart cancer-fighters are worth reading and listening to as it can be a time to reduce regrets and make new priorities. Their lives are a true inspiration for many as they learn to live each day as normally as they can. It is all about enjoying the simple things you like to do.

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Podcast

Common cancer in Indian women

Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian

In this Podcast, we will try to highlight about common cancer in Indian women.

Listen to the podcast audio down below to know more about “Common cancer in Indian Women” by Dr. Murali Subramanian, Best Medical Oncologist in Bangalore.

Also check out other podcasts:

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Common types of cancer in Indian women

Best Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian

A lot of women in India have approached me to give information regarding cancers that are most common in Indian women particularly. I hope after reading to this blogs more women will be aware of the symptoms of these types of cancer and take steps to prevent it.

There are 5 most common types of cancer in Indian women . But these life-threatening cancers can be prevented if detected and treated at an early stage. It is important to go for annual cancer screenings. This would help reduce the mortality rate and also improve the quality of life of the patient after cancer treatment.

Cancer in Women | Best Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian
Cancer in Women | Best Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian

The 5 most common cancers affecting India women to be aware of:

1. Breast Cancer

It is the most common cancer affecting women in India. It accounts for more than 25% of all cancers. 1 in 26 Indian women could develop breast cancer. In the rural areas, the number is on a lower side but in the cities it is about 1 in 20 women. Women of any age can develop this cancer.

Symptoms:

  1. Inward turned nipples
  2. Lump in one or both the armpits or breasts
  3. Soreness & discharge in the nipples
  4. Discharge from nipples
  5. Change in the shape and size of the nipples or breasts

Preventions:

  1. A woman with a family medical history of breast cancer needs to be more cautious .Remember that it is easier to treat breast cancer if diagnosed at an early stage. It is important for women over the age of 40 years to go for mammograms.
  2. It is important to self-examine to feel the lumps or any other abnormalities in the breasts. Every woman must check for any variation in size or shape of the breasts. If you feel there is something abnormal, you must consult a doctor immediately. You must do self-examination once every month.

2. Cervical Cancer

It is the second most common cancer found in Indian women. Cervical cancer accounts for about 20% of all cancer cases in Indian women. In this case, rural women are at more risk of suffering from cervical cancer than urban women. This is more common in sexually active women. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused due to the presence of Human papillomavirus or HPV, which is a sexually transmitted infection. Other causes of cervical cancer include tobacco , AIDS, poor nutrition, genital infection,weak immune system, multiple sexual partners, long term use of contraceptive pills.

Symptoms:

Unfortunately, in its early stages, cervical cancer does not show any symptom. However, with the advancement of cancer, the following symptoms may occur:

  1. Vaginal discharge
  2. Pain during sex
  3. Abnormal vaginal bleeding during sex, after menopause or between periods

Prevention:

  1. Practice safe sex to lower the risk of infection and getting this cancer.
  2. Avoid smoking to prevent cervical cancer.
  3. Go for PAP tests and follow up with the doctor.
  4. It can also be prevented by getting vaccinated for certain HPV infections. It is advisable not to use birth control pills for a long time to prevent cancer of the cervix.
  5. Maintain healthy body weight and eat a healthy diet with more organic fruits and vegetables.

3. Oral and Lip Cancer

It is one of the most common cancers affecting Indian women. Women over the age of 50 years are more prone to oral cancer.

Symptoms:

  1. Small lump inside the oral cavity
  2. Erosion surrounding the gums and lip
  3. Loss of sensation inside the mouth
  4. Abnormal patches in the mouth or throat
  5. Bad breath and loosening of teeth
  6. Problems in speech
  7. Severe and unexpected weight loss
  8. Painful sores

Prevention:

1.Maintain proper oral hygiene and visit a dentist regularly. Also you can conduct a self-examination of the mouth.

2. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco and eat cancer-fighting foods.

Ovarian Cancer | Best Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian
Ovarian Cancer | Best Cancer Specialist in Bangalore | Dr. Murali Subramanian

4. Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer mostly affects women when they are above 50 years. Ovarian cancer usually affects those women who never had children or those who had children after 30 years of age. Moreover, women with a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, are more prone to this cancer.

Symptoms:

  1. Pelvic pain
  2. Digestive problems & abdominal swelling
  3. A sense to urinate all the time

Prevention:

Regular health examinations and relevant tests can help.

5. Colorectal or Colon Cancer

Women with a family history of colon cancer or suffering from inflammatory bowel disease are more at risk of developing colon cancer. Other causes are obesity high-fat foods, being inactive, and smoking. Women between the age group of 40 and 45 years are mostly affected.

Symptoms:

  1. Fatigue
  2. Abnormal weight loss
  3. Abdominal  cramping
  4. Blood in the stool
  5. Rectal bleeding
  6. Change in bowel movements like constipation, diarrhoea

Prevention:

  1. Make healthy lifestyle changes and start eating healthy foods that include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
  2. Also, you can start taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements after consultation with your doctor.
  3. Maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol consumption and no smoking could reduce the risk of colon cancer.
  4. Limit the intake of red meat and exercise in order to prevent colon cancer.

Conclusion

Data shows that cancer is increasing in Indian women .Going for cancer screening once a year after the age of 35 is highly recommended to detect and getting treatment for this disease at an early stage.