Friday, December 19, 2014

Basic Cancer Terms

  1. Acute: Refers to symptoms that start and worsen quickly but do not last over a long period of time
  2. Benign: Refers to a tumor that is not cancerous. The tumor does not usually invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
  3. Biopsy: The removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis. 
  4. Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue found in the center of large bones where blood cells are formed
  5. Cancer: A group of more than 100 different diseases that can begin almost anywhere in the body; characterized by abnormal cell growth and the ability to invade nearby tissues. 
  6. Carcinoma: Cancer that starts in skin or tissues that line the inside or cover the outside of internal organs
  7. Cells: The basic units that make up the human body
  8. Chemoprevention: The use of natural, synthetic (made in a laboratory), or biologic (from a living source) substances to reverse, slow down, or prevent the development of cancer. .
  9. Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. 
  10. Chronic: Refers to a disease or condition that persists, often slowly, over a long period of time.
  11. Imaging test: A procedure that creates pictures of internal body parts, tissues, or organs to make a diagnosis, plan treatment, check whether treatment is working, or observe a disease over time
  12. In situ: In place. Refers to cancer that has not spread to nearby tissue (also called non-invasive cancer).
  13. Invasive cancer: Cancer that has spread outside the layer of tissue in which it started and has the potential to grow into other tissues or parts of the body (also called infiltrating cancer)
  14. Laboratory test: A procedure that evaluates a sample of blood, urine, or other substance from the body to make a diagnosis, plan treatment, check whether treatment is working, or observe a disease over time
  15. Leukemia: A cancer of the blood. Leukemia begins when normal white blood cells change and grow uncontrollably. 
  16. Localized cancer: Cancer that is confined to the area where it started and has not spread to other parts of the body
  17. Lymph nodes: Tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight infection, which is a part of the lymphatic system
  18. Lymphatic system: A network of small vessels, ducts, and organs that carry fluid to and from the bloodstream and body tissues. Through the lymphatic system, cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
  19. Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. Lymphoma begins when cells in the lymph system change and grow uncontrollably and may form a tumor.
  20. Malignant: Refers to a tumor that is cancerous. It may invade nearby healthy tissue or spread to other parts of the body.Mass: A lump in the body
  21. Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the place where the cancer began to another part of the body; cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and travel through the blood or the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes, brain, lungs, bones, liver, or other organs.
  22. Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating people with cancer. The five main types of oncologists are medical, surgical, radiation, gynecologic, and pediatric oncologists. 
  23. Oncology: The study of cancer
  24. Pathologist: A doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease
  25. Polyp: A growth of normal tissue that usually sticks out from the lining of an organ, such as the colon
  26. Precancerous: Refers to cells that have the potential to become cancerous. Also called pre-malignant.
  27. Predisposition: A tendency to develop a disease that can be triggered under certain conditions. For example, a genetic predisposition to cancer increases a person's risk of developing cancer, it is not certain that the person will develop it.
  28. Primary cancer: Describes the original cancer 
  29. Prognosis: Chance of recovery; a prediction of the outcome of a disease. 
  30. Sarcoma: A cancer that develops in the tissues that support and connect the body, such as fat and muscle. 
  31. Screening: The process of checking whether a person has a disease or has an increased chance of developing a disease when the person has no symptoms
  32. Secondary cancer: Describes either a new primary cancer (a different type of cancer) that develops after treatment for the first type of cancer, or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body from the place where it started (see metastasis, above)Stage: A way of describing cancer, such as where it is located, whether or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. 
  33. Tumor: A mass formed when normal cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body).
For further reference Visit - http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/basic-cancer-terms
and www.yoddhas.com 

Yoddhas Publications

In our quest to create a community for cancer fighters, we have received the support and attention of some news channels, organisations etc. Here are the links to some of the appearances made by Yoddhas in the media:

Yoddhas- Who we are and what we do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RdnlnGSEus
(There are a few more videos on the youtube channel)

Links to the write up on the inception of Yoddhas and it's journey thus far that featured in the 

Times of India: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Techies-cyber-battle-with-cancer-wins-UN-prize/articleshow/44936370.cms
http://www.indianfrontliners.com/article/16618-techies-cyber-battle-with-cancer-wins-un-prize/82-notice-board

AAJ TAK:

Did a feature on how Yoddhas has fostered a community for cancer fighters and survivors. Here is the link(in hindi):                                                                                           
http://bit.ly/RahulAajTak                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                   

Next100.org 

is a website that celebrates 100 extraordinary men and women across the globe. They published a story on the founder of Yoddhas, Rahul Yadav two months ago. Read the story by clicking on the link below:
http://bit.ly/rahul100


CNN IBN's Citizen Journalist Show: 

Gives the quintessential aam admis of our country the platform to put forth their stories. On the 22-23 of Novembe,2014, CNN IBN's citizen journalist was Rahul Yadav.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRMVikA6yEw
http://cj.ibnlive.in.com/yoddhas-battle/41019/

Causes.com 

is a website that helps citizens discover, support and organize campaigns, fundraisers, and petitions around the issues that impact them and their communities. Below is the link for the coverage on Yoddhas on this website:
https://www.causes.com/posts/931381

Indiegogo.com 

helps social entrepreneurs raise funds for their cause. You can start a campaign and activate your community through this website. To support yoddhas please visit this page.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fight-against-cancer-help-and-support-rahul-yadav

Here are some pictures taken at the 

Berlin Entrepreneurship Summit 2014 (Google Share drive):
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8r0aur626FHeEJJTW0zNDNCWjQ&usp=sharing


The Entrepreneurship Competition held by the UNESCO 

aims at encouraging ideas that make the world a better place. You can express your support for Yoddhas by voting for our initiative on the following web page:
http://bit.ly/yoddhas
https://www.youth-competition.org/groups/entrepreneurship-competition-2013/contests/1/449/


Feel connected to Rahul Yadav via his blog:
http://rahulyadavpark.wordpress.com/


Blogs from Symbiosis Institute of Management Pune.
http://thesimswayoflife.wordpress.com/author/simspune/

Additional links:
http://www.pinterest.com/rahulyadavpark/motivations-yoddhas/
http://community.blrstartups.com/u/38572/
http://www.careerride.com/current-affairs-on-awards.aspx
https://showyou.com/v/y-YJ-MCNW3oeI/yoddhas-the-warriors-fight-cancer
http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=kxJ-kISvVs8

Monday, December 1, 2014

Acute shortage of Bone Marrow Donors in India

Ghaziabad: At least 1.25 lakh patients require bone marrow transplants every year but only 500 are fortunate to go through the process as there is a dearth of donors in the country, Research dean of AIIMS Narendra Mehra said here today and appealed the youth to come forward for the noble cause.
Bone marrow is required to help patients with blood cancer and other disorders.
"There is a dearth of bone marrow in India as it needs 1.25 lakh bone marrow transplants every years due to acute shortage of donors," Mehra said.
With great difficulty, only 500 bone marrows are transplant every year, he said, adding that there are only 3,000 people who have volunteered themselves as donors.
"A pool of bone marrow donor has been created. Awareness drives are required to inculcate knowledge in youths about donating bone marrow," he said.
Dr Mehra was addressing a programme organised in an institute here.

Article from : http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/acute-shortage-of-bone-marrow-donors-says-aiims-research-dean_1507292.html