Choosing the Right Hospital

When you know that you are diagnosed with Cancer you need to get the best possible medical treatment. Every patient has a dilemma in choosing a hospital and doctor. This is the most important decision that has to made. There are Hundreds of hospitals hospitals in India, but how to decide which one ?

Here are some suggestions given by the members of  Yoddhas patient support group-

About 80% of the patients agree that the primary aspect should be considered is the doctors of the Hospital.

But, How can one know the doctor is good enough of any specific hospital?

Stay away from doctors who hide facts and avoid questions. Best doctor is one & only preference who can take any bold decision if needed. The doctor should be easy to approach and must have full knowledge about your treatment every time you visit.

The success rate ,reputation and experience of the doctor should also be considered.

Choosing a Good Hospital

It is important that the hospital is equipped with modern and advance technology. The administration and the nursing staff is also a deciding factor.

It is always a good choice to select a hospital which that has experience in treating your type of Cancer. Most big and reputed hospitals have more experience with different kinds of cancer and offer more services to the patient.

The following hospitals are shortlisted based upon the positive reviews given by the patients –

Tata Memorial Hospital

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital

Medanta Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon

Prince Aly Khan Hospital

Omega Hospitals ,Hyderabad

Christian Medical College & Hospital ,Vellore

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ,Pune

BLK Super Speciality Hospital

Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital

Apollo Hospital, Bangalore

Fortis S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai

Army Hospital Research & Referral

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi

 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

 Omega Hospitals

Max Hospital, Saket

Manipal hospital, Bangalore

Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals,Kolkata

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute

 Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, India

 Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,Newdelhi

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital , Mumbai

Action Cancer Hospital ,New Delhi

Yashoda hospital . Secunderabad

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital pune

Narayana Healthcity

Max Hospital Patparganj

Cmc Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Jehangir Hospital, Pune

Fortis Hospital, B.G Road, Bangalore

Hinduja Hospital ,Mumbai

Mahaveer cancer and research center,Jaipur

Saifi Hospital,Mumbai

Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai

Nanavati hospital

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta

Kailash Cancer Hospital Muni Seva Ashram,Gujarat

Fortis Hospital,Gurgaon

Hinduja Hospital

INS Ashwani,Mumbai

Sahyadri Hospital,Pune

Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital

Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur

Arthemis Hospital ,Gurgaon

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH)

Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre

Yashoda Hospital, Ghaziabad

Appolo Hospital

Disclaimer:                                                                                        

The above information was extracted based upon the reviews given by the Patients of Yoddhas support community.Please take your choice wisely.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
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 Author- Akshith Vijay Kumar

WIGS TO THE RESCUE

For many cancer patients, hair loss is the most distressing and feared side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. If you don't want anybody to know you're losing your hair, wigs may be your answer.

Chemo preferentially affects rapidly dividing cells.  Because cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, they will be affected by chemo first.  Many cells like in the hair follicles are also rapidly dividing.  They get affected by chemo as well.  That is why mouth sores and hair loss are so common in chemo patients.
Because the question of hair loss concerns many people facing chemotherapy, there were some attempts made to save the hair on the scalp during chemotherapy by using ice or binding the scalp.  The result was that chemo was not getting to the places it needed to reach to eradicate the cancer.  So avoiding hair loss from chemo can actually lead to leaving cancerous cells in the scalp.
Such attempts were stopped when it was realized that it was detrimental to cancer patients.  The good news is that hair that falls out due to chemo does grow back.  Sometimes it is of different texture, at least initially.

Covering up hair loss due to chemo can range from wigs to hats to bandannas, whatever is most comfortable and least irritating for you.  It is temporary.  Hair usually grows back after chemo is finished.  You don't want anything that will irritate or abrade the skin during chemo as any abrasion or scratch can lead to infection at the time when the body is most vulnerable.

A wide range of factors will influence your choice of wigs: human hair or synthetic; short or long; custom- or machine-made.

• Synthetic wigs are the most popular choice and most widely recommended type of wig for cancer treatment wearers.Most people prefer synthetic hair. It's easier to maintain and less expensive. Synthetic hair also dries faster than real hair. Well-made synthetic wigs may look real. Major drawback of synthetic hair is they fry when exposed to heat. So no curling irons or blow dryers unless they are specifically designed for wigs. Hot rollers can be used, but only at low settings. And avoid exposing the wig to any intense heat sources such as an oven. The blast of heat will cause frizzing. Synthetic hair wigs that are usually worn are extremely uncomfortable, itchy and expensive. The cost of one such wig is about Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000.

• Real hair is human hair. The majority of hair is collected from women in Asia who have long, good quality hair. The hair is then treated and dyed into a range of colours.  Real hair wig needs more care than synthetic hair. As each time it is washed it normally needs blow-drying and styling to look good. Natural hair wigs, meanwhile, come at price of approximately Rs.17,000.

             

• Machine-made wigs are the least expensive and most widely available. Wefts of hair are sewn together in a straight line, cut and assembled into a wig. Many look extremely realistic as long as they are not parted, pulled back or otherwise altered. Some people find these wigs more comfortable because the construction creates vents that allow air to circulate to the scalp.

                                         

• Hand-made wigs look the most natural of the prefabricated choices because individual strands are knotted on to a skullcap rather than wefts of hair being sewn together. These wigs can be parted and styled with accessories because there is no chance the vents will be exposed. The hair also falls and moves more naturally.

                                     

• Custom-made wigs are almost indistinguishable from natural hair. They are usually not a viable option for cancer patients, as they are extremely expensive and generally take more than two months to complete. Make sure that you have final approval on the choice of hair and style

                                         

         

   

Take a look at this little girl who is donating her hair for the sake of the cancer patients:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwQZggdZrOo

Emily James is just your typical little 3 year old princess. She loves nail polish, frilly dresses and when she can get her hands on it, mums lipstick. Emily’s parents suggested the idea to Emily to cut her hair and donate it for cancer wigs. They sat down and explained to her that to donate her hair, she would need to cut it fairly short, and that it would be a long time before she had long hair again. They looked at pictures together of little kids with no hair, they looked at pictures of wigs and they also looked at shorter styles - and she still wanted to make the donation.

Places where the cancer patients can find wigs in India are:

Hair aid:  http://www.hairaid.org.in/

Allure hair:http://www.allurehair.co.in/

Raj hair intl: http://www.rajhairintl.com/

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

Author- Akshay Shaligram

5 REASONS THAT CURB PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT CANCER AND 5 TIPS TO OVERCOME THEM!

Every 1 in 10 cancer patients feel reluctant in talking about cancer and related symptoms which can be stern most of the time. Here are reason and tips so that there is a good way to bring in confidence and be the one you want to be!

       WHY NOT TALKING ABOUT CANCER? 

• People expect that they are never getting this disease 

Most of the people in the world think that they are the last ones to procure this disease.  In the gender category of men, almost a quarter of men have never told to their relative or a friend about the cancer in them 

• The word Cancer is believed to be a ‘Taboo’

Even in the 21^st century taboo still exists and one of taboos would be cancer (which is a myth) and when they are diagnosed with the disease, they tend to freak out because they think they are ‘unclean’.

• It is my body and what happens to it is my business

      This attitude might bring in the selfish element whereas in reality it results in depression. There is a no-use-talking-to-anyone feeling that gives birth in some people because everyone around them seems useless to them.

• Fear of being isolated

      Most of the cancer patients do not talk to others about cancer because they fear that they would never be understood instead be judged.     
  

• Fear of posing as a sympathy figure in the society

There is always a fear that they would be figured as a sympathy symbol and that he or she will not be able to lead a normal life ahead.

WHY IS THERE A NEED TO TALK ABOUT CANCER?

1.       None of us are immune to cancer

There wouldn’t be anyone who is completely immune to the disease and accepting that fact would bring a confidence and positivity.

2.       Talk about it and the taboo will be diluted

Only by opening up a dialogue can the taboo surrounding it be diluted and can get more people will feel like talking more about and be aware of those facts.

3.       Everyone will help you, just give it a try!

Talk to the people who you trust and believe in (can also be someone who is in the same state) .

4.       Need not always be a hero

Even when people look up to you as a hero, there can be times when you have to remove the mask of being a hero and let your feelings flow. Be who you are because sometimes we all need a support and be proud to accept it!

5.       Ignorance is never bliss!

Ignoring symptoms will not help you in any way; it can only push you down. Talk about symptoms and how you feel every day.

Silence always comes in with fear and being a hero is not to be silent but talking about it and bringing up a change. It doesn’t matter if you don’t talk…..but imagine if your one talk can make even a small difference…..it will even save a life…BE THE CHANGE!

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

Author: Shruti Manmadhan Nair                                         Co-authored by Rahul Yadav

                                         

Beware of breathing! All you need to know about Lung Cancer.

What is that something that you do every second of your life? 

Breathe!   
Without this action it is impossible to survive. 

This breathing action is done with the help of the lungs and it is the most active organ of the human body. It is very essential to maintain its health at all times. Knowing what you inhale in your everyday lifestyle is important. An unhealthy lung leads to many infections and also Cancer. Lung infections are curable but not Cancer. It is always better to prevent than to cure any disease.

Lung Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in one or both of the lungs. These cells or tumors reduce the lung’s ability to provide bloodstream with oxygen.

A total number of 1,370,000 people have died of lung cancer which is more than the number of deaths caused by any other type of cancer. 

 

Some important facts:

• Lung Cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer around the globe.  
•  Most people die of Lung Cancer compared to other type of Cancer such has breast,colon and prostate Cancer. 
• Smoking is responsible for 90% of all cases of Lung cancer. 
•  More than half of the Lung Cancer patients pass away within a year of diagnosis. 
• Passive smoking increases the chances of Lung Cancer for about 20-30%

What are the causes and symptoms of Lung Cancer?

 

Causes:

• Smoking causes Cancer, smoking kills.
•  Exposure to tobacco smoke or passive smoking increases the chance of lung cancer.
•  Air pollution also causes Lung cancer. Air containing carcinogens and exposure to this increases the risk. 
• Smoke coming out of burning coal contains carcinogens is a significant risk of developing Lung Cancer. 
• Low intake of foods rich in beta-carotene.

Symptoms: 

• Loss in appetite and reduction in body weight. 
• Cough that does not quit. 
• Feeling weak or tiredness. 
• Chest pain which gets intense when coughing, laughing or heavy breathing. 
• Abnormal changes in loudness of the voice. 
• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing Blood.

Treatment for Lung Cancer:

 

 The treatment for this Cancer depends upon the type of lung cancer that the person is diagnosed with. The tumor is located and the stage of the cancer is identified. General health of the patient is also taken in consideration.

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are common treatments used for lung cancer. These treatments are used alone or together.  

Home remedies: 

The patient experiences shortness of breath. To cope up with this there are few tips:

• Choose an activity such has music or meditation or any other activity that help you to relax. Fear makes it only harder to breathe. 

    

• Use your energy effectively. Save your energy for important tasks. Remove the non-essential tasks from your day.

      

• When you are in shortage of breath focus your mind on breathing.

                    

 Some other useful tips:

• Do not dehydrate your body. Take small sips of water frequently in a day. 
• Dry ginger or ginger-tea to reduce nausea. 
• Brush your teeth after you vomit which help to avoid tooth decay. 
• To have a good sleep avoid caffeine.

Tips for treating Constipation:

• Drink enough fluids to keep you hydrated. 
• Avoid alcohol containing drinks. 
• Increase your physical activity by exercise as advised by the doctor.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

Praise the Yoddhas; Support the Yoddhas ; Love the Yoddhas!

Cheers!

Author- Akshith Vijaykumar