Cancer is the abnormal growth or division of a living cell. Irregular cells in the human body can form cancerous growths, or tumors, which tamper with the healthy functioning of the body's normal cells, affecting vital organs as well as the immune system.

Prevention
Cancer is the abnormal growth or division of a living cell. Irregular cells in the human body can form cancerous growths, or tumors, which tamper with the healthy functioning of the body's normal cells, affecting vital organs as well as the immune system.

The old age "prevention is better than cure" is very closely related to cancer as Prevention is The Best Protection against Cancer. One should be familiar with the warning signs of the disease and have regular medical checkups and cancer screenings

Cancer of the Breast, Prostrate, skin, and colon/rectal cancers are all detectable by screening procedures. In addition, one should avoid smoking, excessive drinking and over exposure to the sun. One should follow a healthy life-style by eating wisely and exercising regularly.

WARNING SIGNS

Change in bowl or bladder habits A sore that does not heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, foreign body sensation in the throat, alteration of the voice or a nagging cough. A lump in the neck is another important sign that may represent a cancer in the lymph nodes or in the thyroid or salivary glands. Obvious change in a wart or mole.

At Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, a co-ordinated multi disciplinary approach has been adopted in the treatment of patients suffering from cancer. A new high energy Liner Accelerator with Multi-leaf Collimeter Virtual Simulator new treatment planning

Our X-knife is being upgraded with the installation of Micro Multileaf Collimeter so as to target only localized area of cancer without damage to the healthy tissue.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals offers the service of Genetic Counseling to families who are predisposed to certain cancers.

Genetic Counseling or "Cancer risk counseling"
The term "Genetic counseling" means different things to different people. Some place emphasis on the counseling and supportive aspects and see it as an opportunity to talk over problems connected with having healthy children or passing on hereditary conditions. Others see it more in terms of obtaining factual information about genetics, particularly the risks involved and test available. Perhaps the best approach is a combination of both these aspects, when not only is information exchanged but also support and help can be offered in making what can often be difficult decisions.

What does genetic counseling include?

Inheritance pattern of blood tests to identify abnormal gene carriers. An accurate family history Physical examination Risk assessment D.N.A testing Psychosocial issues Options for prevention.

Avoidance of certain risk factors

Certain risk factors are known to increase the incidence of cancer. Avoidance of these known carcinogens helps in preventing cancer.

Smoking
Smoking is the single most important cause of cancer. It accounts for about 90% of lung cancer. The risk of developing Cancer is reduced by stopping smoking and decreases substantially after 5 years. There is no cancer epidemic except for lung cancer due to smoking.

Alcohol
Alcohol has been consistently been related to risks of Squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth, oral pharynx and larynx. Even small amounts of alcohol seem to increase the risk of breast cancer.

Dietary Imbalances
Lack of sufficient amounts of dietary fruits and vegetables. High intake of fruit and vegetables is related to a reduced risk of lung cancer and cancer of the upper Gastrointestinal tract.

Hormonal factors
These are influenced primarily by lifestyle.

Beetal nut (pan or pan masala) Chewing of pan or pan masala is known to increase the incidence of oral cancer. Oral cancer is common in India and Sri Lanka mainly due to beetal chewing and partially to eating hot curries with chillies.

Family predisposition and chromosomal abnormalities.

The Leukemia Lymphoma Clinic

Leukemias are a group of disorders where there is uncontrolled growth of blood cells.

Lymphomas are a diverse group of cancers of the lymphatic system.

The Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals run a special clinic for evaluating and treating hematological malignancies. This helps in establishing a correct diagnosis, which is critical. Diagnosis is based on immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry studies and cyto genetics. This leads to a very comprehensive approach to diagnosis and planning appropriate management.