Common Cancer - Treatment Terms

Adjuvant therapy: Treatment given after the main treatment to reduce the chance of cancer coming back by killing any remaining cancer cells. It usually refers to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and/or immunotherapy given after surgery.

Alternative medicine: Therapies and products used to treat cancer without conventional (standard) treatments. Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine.

Bone marrow transplant: A medical procedure in which diseased bone marrow is replaced by healthy bone marrow from a volunteer donor. Learn more about bone marrow transplantation.

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Learn more about chemotherapy.

Clinical trial: A research study that tests new treatments and/or prevention methods to find out whether they are safe, effective, and possibly better than the current standard of care (the best known treatment). Learn more about clinical trials.

Complementary medicine: A diverse group of treatments, techniques, and products that are used in addition to conventional treatments (also called integrative medicine). Learn more about complementary and alternative medicine.

Hormone therapy: Treatment that removes, blocks, or adds hormones to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells (also called hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy)

Immunotherapy: Treatment that is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer (also called biologic therapy). It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function. Learn more aboutimmunotherapy.

Neoadjuvant therapy: Treatment given before the main treatment. It may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy given before surgery to shrink a tumor so that it is easier to remove.

Palliative care: Palliative care is any form of treatment that concentrates on reducing a patient’s symptoms or treatment side effects, improving quality of life, and supporting patients and their families (also called supportive care). Learn more about palliative care.

Protocol: A formal, written action plan for how a clinical trial will be carried out. It states the goals and timeline of the study, who is eligible to participate, what treatments and tests will be given and how often, and what information will be gathered.

Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells (also called radiotherapy). The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants near the cancer cells, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Learn more about radiation therapy.

Regimen: A treatment plan that includes which treatments and procedures will be done, medications and their doses, the schedule of treatments, and how long the treatment will last

Standard of care: Care that experts agree or guidelines show is the most appropriate and/or effective for a specific disease

Surgery: The removal of cancerous tissue from the body through an operation. Learn more about cancer surgery.

Targeted treatment: Treatment that targets specific genes, proteins, or other molecules that contribute to cancer growth and survival. Learn more about targeted treatments.

UNESCO Berlin Entrepreneurship Summit 2014

Teach For India - Kids day out

The Teach For India kids having a great time celebrating Hard Rock Cafe New Delhi Founders Day..

We celebrated HRCs founders days at all their outlets in NCR with partners Teach for India. 

These were all 4th and 5th class girls from MCD govt schools in Saket. Most of them living in a not so good locality of Khirki Village, which overlooks the lavish and grand Select CityWalk mall with just this road in between, dividing the classes. 
Infact most of them had not been to any mall before this, let alone enjoying the hospitality and gastronomical delights of a great place of like HRC.


The only difference between me (when I was at their age) and the them is that thanks to being a Army brat, I was got my education at one of the best schools in Delhi and my parents paid for tuitions/ IIT coaching if and when required. 
Infact I think that’s good mistake of mine of not making it to any great engineering college. No offence to a billion engineering friends. I haven’t heard of a person doing any wonders in their field of engineering in India. The ones who are super successful are either doing it (wonders in engineering) for a 1st world country or are into Finance or Marketing. 

I was attending boring yet the most intellectual discussion among the officers all the time. From discussing global economy to national politics, yes Army officers love to do that post couple of drinks. 
And yes I was getting this exposure at the age of 15 (a moment when your are not so young to go watch TV in the ‘Mess TV room’ with the kids but not old enough to start drinking and enjoying these heavy duty discussions). 


And still I never bothered to really study too hard but thanks to a good upbringing and exposure I now proudly call myself a Business Analyst - Investment Banking with the Information Technology Industry. Now wonder how many of them these girls will achieve something like that. Or would you or I would have achieved if we were born in a poor family. 
All this disparity because they were born on the other side of the road.
You can have look at the pictures and would surprised to know that all these girls are well spoken in English, very disciplined, smart and get great grade in their class. Only difference between their class section and the other section is that they are getting a great quality education thanks to Teach for India, its fellows and the Team. 

This only goes to prove that in spite of the same school and same economic background but a better quality of education, there is a sea of difference in the level of confidence, grades and understanding of the topics with its real life implicational and uses. Its not just mugging up fact and factory producing 99%er. No offence Sarthak Agarwal. 
Its just that we were born in an country where one has to get 90+ or you are a looser. And unfortunately what can we do since we are just too many and also running only in a few known directions. Parents still hesitate to send their kids to non engineering/medical/financial domain. 


And before you write if of as an article to promote some one. Let me be very clear Yes I am trying to promote one thing - the fact that you could help make somebody’s a little life better. So just do it, in whatever ways its is comfortable to you. And please don’t give self-assuring reasons to I dont have the time, thats just some bullock's excreta. 
There’s always time to do the good thing. Infact I feel sorry that I dint think and act on these lines before but I guess its never too late to be able to help someone. 

Life is unpredictable and it would throw some curved balls once in a while but the fun thing in to keep on going and doing great stuff that brings you real happyness (apologies for the spelling mistake here). Its not the air-miles but the smiles that matter.
One of the girls towards the end of the day told me that I will have my birthday party here one day (remember we were celebrating HRC birthday). This brought a mile long smile on my face after a very long time. See atleast this girl got that exposure and may be some day soon she would invite me for her birthday party there. (Anything for free food) This is the joy am talking about.


Please contact me for any CSR tie ups and specially Hospitality-Partnerships etc.
Also I would like to mention the great work all the TFI folks are doing specially Annie James to take me in the team and guiding and supporting me all the time.

Please vote - bit.ly/1xavxil

Rahul Yadav
Volunteer - Hospitality: Development 
Teach for India

The great benefits of JUICING!!

Like plenty other trends and meal plans and diets, is juicing just a passing fad or is there really something to it? 

I consume a couple of fruits and cooked vegetable every day, do I really need to juice in spite of it? 

Does juicing really help accomplish better health, more energy, beautiful skin and so on?

The best person to probably answer these questions is a person who juices. That’s why I am writing this blog entry. I have been juicing for about 3 years now, and I have taken it to a completely different level about a year back. Juicing has completely changed my life and not a day goes by without me consuming a glass full of vegetable  juice every morning!

Before coming to the benefits I have experienced through juicing, let me first address the question as to why one must include a daily glass of juice into their diets.

Health authorities state that an adult must consume 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. How many of us really achieve this target? It is almost impossible to consume so much fruit and vegetable in a single day. For starters, juicing helps achieve this daily target and that too in a single serving. The process of juicing basically involves the juicer extracting the juice from the fruit/vegetable and separating out the fibre. 

What you therefore consume is freshly squeezed juice with abundance of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients without the fibre obstructing the flow in the bloodstream.

This juice is digested much quicker (as less as 20 mins) because of the fibre being extracted. Your body is therefore instantly energized.

Moreover, several micro-nutrients present in vegetables are destroyed while cooking at high heat. Juicing helps retain all the goodness present in the fruits and vegetables.

Juicing is the most convenient for people who are not too high on daily consumption of fruits/vegetables because of their taste buds not getting impressed by the earthy taste of fruits/vegetables 
(don’t most of us belong to this category ;) 

A glass full of vegetable juice can taste really good by adding some sweet/tangy tasting fruits like apples, strawberries, ginger and herbs like mint. You therefore not only get to consume your daily requirement of fruits and vegetables through a juice, but also a pretty decent tasting one!

Incorporating juicing into my daily diet has definitely helped boost my immunity. I always feel energetic, my craving for sleep has reduced and I feel fit like never before. It also helps eliminate toxins from the body and is a much needed relief after a toxic night of partying! 

I experiment with various fruits and vegetables to get the desired health benefits such as improved immunity, beautiful skin, detox, digestion, cancer prevention, anti-inflammatory benefits, prevention of heart diseases etc.

If you are ready and convinced to get onto the juicing bandwagon, then here are some things you should keep in mind:

1.     When juicing you should ensure you put in more vegetables and less fruits. This is because of the high natural sugar content present in juices. Filling your juice up with strawberries, kiwis etc will shoot up the sugar content which doesn’t do you much good. Hence include vegetables like spinach, beet root, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, cucumber (try including more and more greens). I usually add an apple/ cucumber and/or carrot to sweeten my juice and give it a good refreshing taste. Also, I love adding mint (pudina) and add a small piece of ginger to add some spice. To gain some tips on how to create a wholesome juice you can refer (here).
2.     When putting in fruits/vegetables into your juice, ensure the quantities are only so much that can be consumed immediately and not left for later (not even a few hours). Juice that is kept open (or even in a refrigerator) tends to get oxidized which is harmful for the system due to the formation of bacteria.
3.     Always always wash the fruits and vegetables properly. It is said that cooking at high heat tends to kill the bacteria and therefore with juicing you have got to be extra cautious as you are consuming raw/uncooked vegetables and fruits. A great tip for washing fruits and green leafy vegetables is - taking a spray bottle, adding in 1cup vinegar and 3 cups of water. Shake it well. Now just spray the fruits and vegetables with this solution and then quickly give it a rinse. This is known to be a very effective method to wash the produce that goes into juices and smoothies. 
   
4.     Drink up your juice (especially green juice) first thing in the morning. This is the most effective time to consume a glass full of juice as the vitamins and minerals are straight away absorbed by the bloodstream. If you are not able to consume it in the morning then wait for at last 2 hours after a meal to have a glass of juice. Follow it up with breakfast after 20 mins.
5.     Try and rotate your recipes, especially green juice recipes as much as possible.  
6.     Juicing is a wonderful addition to ones diet and also helps reduce cravings. The one investment you may have to make is on purchasing a good juicer. Remember, a blender/mixer present in your kitchen does not make juices but smoothies. Smoothies are also a great beginning to a healthier lifestyle. 

Need help with some beginner recipes, click (here) and get started!

If you are undergoing an active cancer treatment, and are having chewing, swallowing, or digestive problems, or are struggling with excess weight loss due to cancer, juicing may be a good option for getting valuable nutrients into your body. This should be in addition to the four-five cup servings of fruits and green vegetables in your everyday diet. It is advisable to consult your nutritionist on what vegetables to juice for added benefits. Wheatgrass is a great option to add to your juice.

About the Author:

Raashi Shrawat Prakash is a an avid health  enthusiast  and resides in California. She was previously working as an HR consultant in  Gurgaon for 3 years.  She is extremely passionate  about health & fitness.  Her  hobbies include yoga, reading, blogging about  health  issues and refining  her culinary skills by experimenting  with healthy  dishes. 

Bio-link: http://healthylivingink.wordpress.com/

teamyoddhas - Thanks Raashi for a very informative article. 

You can also contribute. Contact us at: teamyoddhas@gmail.com

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Caregiver - The unsung Hero of every Cancer Batttle

Nobody should fight cancer alone. Everyone deserves a loving caregiver. In the midst of ones life’s biggest battle, one needs an advocate, a rock, and a safe harbor. 

Caregiver (Hindi - देख रेख करने वाला)

(definition on wiki) :- Is an unpaid or paid relative or friend of a disabled individual who helps that individual with his or her activities of daily living. Though in India it simply becomes the closest relative.  

People often talk about the fighter fighting the disease but the caregiver goes through much more as he / she needs to be the strongest at all times. He/she truely is the Unsung Hero of every Cancer battle.

Caregiving is not just hand-holding, it is hard work and it’s okay to cry, being sad is fine at times. But on the other hand let yourself be happy, look into a support group via the cancer center. Connect here on our site www.yoddhas.com and discuss with other caregivers what they are doing. 

Cancer and its treatments are havoc upon the human body. Your cancer warrior needs every bit of your attention as he or she would have mood swings, pains, restlessness, loneliness etc. You must focus on the task to complete the mission and get the fighter to fight and sail through.

You’ll be scared, a lot. You will be in doctors’ offices and clinics and hospitals. You’ll see too many very sick people. Do not let negative thought come in your mind. You need to remain calm  and firm. You need to learn to ask a lot of questions. If you don’t understand something, ask again and again if need be. You and your loved one need and deserve to know exactly what the team has in mind. 

Knowledge is the antidote to fear. You as the caregiver are the key link between what your loved one feels and thinks, but may not be able to say at the time to the doctor’s and the team. Also you would be expected to almost become half doctor. You would be expected to have an understating of the medicines etc.

You are surrounded by people who want to help, but have no idea, none, of what needs to be done, so ask for help when required. No one set of caregiver guidelines is correct. You know your own circumstances better than anyone. When in doubt, listen to yourself, give yourself permission to trust in your judgment. You are smart and capable and worthy of this great thing.

Most importantly, when you are with your loved one, listen with all your heart. Your cancer warrior needs you, needs you weak, strong, your wisdom and your touch. Regardless of how this cancer journey turns out, you exit at the other end a person of greater wisdom, compassion, and heart. 

Do not lose hope at any point of time and don’t let any negative thought weaken you and people around you. You must have faith at all times. Remember, there will be days that will bring bad news, you must be ready to handle it well for yourself and your warrior and keep the smiles on, always..

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Meeting a Cancer Patient - Some points to keep in mind.

There's a lot of talk of cancer these days. What if your friend or a relative is going through this dreaded ordeal. At some point in your life, you will want to visit a friend or loved one with cancer. It is scary as Hell.

What to say? What to do? How do I help? You want to help, but we don’t know how. What are the rules for a visit with a cancer warrior? Are there any ?

So I have put down some basic points for Calling on the Cancer Warrior:-

1.)  No Denying - It is a little odd.

Its natural to not be sure as to what to say or do when meeting a Cancer patient for the first time. So firstly try and meet the person normally. Dont be looking for horns on his head. Or look down upon him to figure out, as to how bad is his health. Somehow a cancer patent figures out whats in your mind. And for God sake, remove that feeling of Pity from your face. You are there to meet him. He is the same person that you know, Just be normal. 

Just to be clear, I not asking you to be pretty cool and act as if all is well and keep it super light. Sorry but that also is not the case here. So start normal, and gauge the scene. Let the patient talk. Ask basic questions.

2.) Make absolutely, positively, 100% certain you are healthy.

Whether from the chemo, the stress of the illness, or their cancer itself, many cancer patients have compromised immune systems. A little cold  that you have could have serious repercussions for the health of a cancer patient. Also avoid taking your kids to him because they generally have some cold or infections going on. 

Remeber a Cancer patient and his family takes utmost care to keep the house neat and clean and you could have just used a public toilet. So respect the others weakened immunity and act accordingly. So Wash your hands as you reach the house. Ensure you dust your shoes a little. 

3)  Make contact in advance- Fix it up.

Check if he is in good health to meet. Also, the patient is no VIP but trust me, he is going to make his plans as per yours. To take that nap as per your visit time. So respect the other persons time. It anyways good manners. Cancer, and cancer treatment, are exhausting beyond words. How exhausting? Picture yourself as you lie on the couch with your face turned towards the seat cushions. You hear something interesting on the TV, like IPL match. Now, try and imagine that you lack the energy to turn your head towards the TV to see what is on. Yep. That bad. Sometimes worse.

3)  Carrying flowers - Sorry but no need. 

Before you bring anything with you, contact the patient’s caregiver to figure out if the gift would be of any use to the patient. Radiation and chemotherapy play havoc with the senses. What to you is a lovely scented bouquet of flowers might kick off three hours of retching and vomiting for your friend. In addition, many people become highly sensitive to pollen during treatment. A plant might be nice. But ask.

We Indians love to gift food. Dont get something the patient may love to eat but cant. I hated it when my friends got me a box Mitai. Ask if there is anything special you could bring, and anything specific you should avoid. Because for eg An Apple (i-pads etc are welcome anytime) may be a perfect gift to any person recovering from any ailment but due to low immunity my doctor has told me not to have Apples. My brother brought me some x-box CDs once. Trust me, it was the most useful gift at that time.

4)  "Be Positive" - Yes. But dont go overboard. Avoid forced optimism.

Don’t be a cheerleader. “You’re going to be fine. I just know it.”

“Bullshit,” says the patient. “I might freakin’ die. That’s why they’re bolting my head to that goddam table and irradiating my skull. That’s why my body is slowly being carved to pieces. That’s why I get bags of ugly chemicals pumped into my body. You don’t know shit about my illness. I’m laying here, feeling like if I blink 2% too hard, my eyeball is going to fall out of my face, and if I swallow without thinking on it first, I’m going to be curled up in a ball in the bathroom for the next two hours heaving my guts out, 'You’re going to be fine. I just know it?’ ” - No Thank you.

Ok the above was a little uncalled for. Well these mood swings could really be a bitch sometimes. Please forgive a patient if you see him go through a rant. Its the meds and not you. Sudden mood swings are known side effects of chemotherapy. We can be Dolly Bindra at times.

Also don’t play the pity card. Don’t tell a story about your distant cousin's best friend's Aunt who’s a cancer survivor. Fact is, in the midst of my cancer, I don’t care. I’ve got my own problems right here, thankyouverymuch. As cancer fighters and survivors, we’re good at finding our own inspiration. Hang out with me, that’s all I ask.

5)  Physical contact. Ask first.

Cancer hurts. Sometimes, the pain cannot be imagined. Sometimes, a hug can be agony. Sometimes, you need a hug, a bit of human warmth and contact to remind you that you’re not alone. 

For example, some times I go ahead with the handshake and some times I avoid it, depending on how far I am from Monday (my regular chemos days) So dont feel odd and simply ask.

6)  Dont become that all GYAN and Advice giving Guru.

You must do Yoga, Pranayam, Dancing, Skating, Power Yoga, Some tree worship, meditate entire day, stop every thing and just do Yoga, like just right now or maybe hang on a tree upside down. Well thanks but again no thanks. Do feel free to provide your advice but please dont go about pushing it. I am sure the patient (who does want to get well) is doing all that he can do to get well. Which includes the non medical things. Just dont push him too much.

6)  Be there now.

If your friend wants to talk; then talk.See what kind of mood he is in. He maybe in a great mood or maybe just in middle of a long week of being low. Listen, really listen, to what they’re saying. They’re talking with their eyes, and body language, as well as their words. Pay some attention. 

They like/love your company. Trust me. The fact that you took out time and came to meet, means a lot. And they know it. All they need is your support.

You do realize, don’t you, that you too, are stressed? You do realize that your angst fills the room? It is hard to watch someone suffer, someone in fear, someone in pain. Let your heart fill with compassion, not pity, and join with them in your heart for a few moments. Don’t share your heartache. Let go of your pain and watch them relax along with you.

“He who attends on the sick attends on me.” - Buddha

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