I visited Kashmir in June 2014, before all hell broke loose. Once again paradise was bloodstained. Blames and counter blame. You really can’t imagine India without its beautiful soul. That’s Kashmir.
This idyllic valley is breathtaking, heartbreaking. The people are beautiful, the children are adorable.The mountains are majestic and there are flowers everywhere.
I wrote about my magical trip to Pahalgam.But I delayed writing about Srinagar .I met the beautiful Mrs Sita Paintal and her equally charming daughter Dr.Surita Sarda Paintal … at the heritage hotel Dar-Es -Salaam.Like all friendships between travellers who meet fleetingly.This was a message from the heavens.At eighty-six,Mrs Sita is a cancer survivor .She was diagnosed with Chronic myeloid leukaemia( a form of blood cancer 11 years back.She fought for her life and was then living disease-free.
She has also been the caregiver of two of her siblings, who battled breast cancer.
But unlike many her age she was not one to talk about her many pains and aches.Instead, she talked about living live meaningfully.Of appreciating life and beauty.She talks about how she is still driving and loves the independence her driving license gives her. She was ex-president Indian Cancer Society -Cancer Sahiyog.
When one is a caregiver for a cancer patient it is draining. Cancer Sahiyog helps these people. They give strength hope and a helping hand. Their team works towards giving them life skills to cope with and survive. Live life with cancer and live after cancer with purpose.
They are doing wonderful work by tying up with several hospitals like: AIIMS Institute Rotarian Cancer hospital Medanta FortisThey provide emotional support and medical support assistance: One lakh the first year and 1lakh 2nd year.You need all your investigstions ,doctors prescription in curative cancer to apply for help.Directly money is not given.
This helps in directing proper use of resources.Attending seminars giving lectures at conferences,visiting hospitals to help those who need her,Mrs Sita Paintal is an extraordinary woman.She visits various cities in India and outside to spread the message of a healthier life. The most important lesson I learned from her is to love life .To love what you can bring to the table ,in any relationship. Travelling all over the world sometimes alone sometimes with family. Planning on doing more.
Lifestyle Tips to live without cancer( with advice from Mrs. Sita Paintal):
- #Diet : Eat healthy always. Avoid fries, sugary, food. Drink plenty of water. Eat fresh fruits and veggies.High consumption of fruit and vegetables helps reduce the risk for lung cancer. have fish. Current evidence blames omega-6 fatty acids in the cancers and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids as being protective ( 1). Avoid or less red meat.Eat less salt. Low-sodium varieties.Avoid processed food.No smoking, drinking or any substance abuse
Related:
Alcohol :Effect on ear and mouth
#Exercise
Exercise lowers the risk for lung cancer .It also has a protective effect on colon cancer.
Breast cancer:Physically active women have about a 20-30% reduction in risk, compared with inactive women. 30-60 min. of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity is needed to decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Walk
I have written about the many health benefits of Vitamin D.It’s also cancer protective.But your serum level of Vitamin D should be around 30ng/ml.
#Get immunised:
HPV, Hepatitis B vaccination is a good preventive option.HPV causes cervical cancer and HBV is a risk factor in liver cancer.
#Avoid risky behaviours:
Practice safe sex. HIV , HPV,Hepatitis B, C are all STD. HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, liver HPV most often associated with cervical cancer.
Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected person:risk of HIV,HBV,HCV.
(If you have any drug abuse history talk to your doctor)
#Regular checkups
Breast self-examination can detect early lumps .Early detection goes a long way on improving chances of cure..Diagnostic screenings for various cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix and breast if needed.
#Other lifestyle measures:
- Meditate
- Sleep
- Pray
- Be grateful
- Have faith
Don’t forget to live and love life.
Mrs Sita Paintal taught me that.
How can you prevent cancer?
It is apparently simple and complex at the same time.
A natural food based healthy diet,exercise,avoidance of alcohol smoking drugs,controlling weight,decreasing stress all are possible.But it’s a choice.
The choice is yours.If awareness can help.Then maybe someone somewhere can help.Research shows any social movement is most successful when women are involved.That’s why I try to help women.Because I know you will spread the word.
Update
Mrs.Sita Paintal passed away peacefully in her sleep.
She had a family history of breast cancer which she was very aware of. But she herself had leukemia. She had always lived healthy.
So why ?
Unfortunately, cancer can be caused by hereditary genetic factors as well as sudden mutations.
Sientifically all cancer cannot be prevented 100%.
But living healthy, you can prevent those which are lifestyle-related like lung cancer, liver cancer, laryngeal cancer.
Mrs. Paintal is now amongst the angels. But her story lives on. That’s what I have learned.I am a doctor.I believe in scientific evidence. But I also believe in the power of the” mind”.
I believe miracles do happen. Because we see them every day. Believing you can live health is an inner battle.
Death is inevitable. But a life well-lived is an example.
What’s your experience with a healthy lifestyle?
Comment and let me know.
This post is a part of #Daily chatter day 13 at The Blogchatter.It’s also linked up at the Blogger’s pit stop.
Sharing is good Karma!
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Wow Great post on prevention of cancer
Very informative. Thank you
My moms been fighting multiple myeloma for the last 3-1/2 years. It’s a tough battle but there is always hope.
Yes there’s always hope for every thing.
interesting post it is with important tips 🙂
So sad she passed, but having a healthy lifestyle is a good thing to do. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Yes that’s the lesson I have learned too.Living healthy gives us a chance to live well.Thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing your tips and such a great reminder to enjoy life ! Great post!
Thanks Jasmine.Glad you like it.
I hate that damn word cancer! It has wreaked havoc on so many lives all over the world…SIGH
You are so right. But we can deal with it right?
Wow! serene and such a nice post .. i lost some one dear to me to cancer. Now i am trying medidation as part of my healthy lifestyle to battle stress…
Yes Sachin,meditation helps deal with loss .It’s a very positive way of dealing with stress too.
Healthy living is a great way to keep our body on track. Cancer is an ugly disease and have taken away many loved ones across the world. Still praying for a cure but these tips are a great way to be proactive with your health.
Yes Kara being proactive about your health,is the best way to live.
Someone I know is battling cancer and the battle is so real. There is no prevention for cancer but these tips will definitely help in living a healthier lifestyle and trying to keep it at bay.
Yes the battle is real.Sometimes we maynot increase the time line. But fighting it gives you hope.Somehow hope is miracle making.Even being a doctor I seriously believe we see miracles everyday.Just not able to comprehend.Hope your friend wina this battle.
You are right. Those mountains in your photos look very majestic. So beautiful. For our healthy lifestyle I try to always cook from scratch with fresh ingredients.
Thanks Ellen.It’s great that you cook from scratch.
Thank you for this list – they are very good suggestions, though I may not necessarily agree that cancer is preventable – on a scientific level. This list is very well done though, for general health and wellbeing 🙂 Things to definitely integrate into our daily lives! It seems that it was a blessing you came across this woman and I’m happy to hear that – we all need these moments in our lives. There are grounding and profound!
Interesting you said this .The lady whose story I shared passed away peacefully in her sleep .
She had a family history of breast cancer which she was very aware of.But she herself had leukemia. She had always lived healthy.So why ?
Unfortunately cancer can be caused by heriditary genetic factors as well sudden mutations.So yes scientifically cancer cannot be prevented 100%.
But living healthy you can prevent those which are lifestyle related like lung cancer,liver cancer,laryngeal cancer.
Also a healthy life can help you fight the disease .Really appreciate this feedback.
Eat lots of greens! that’s also a key 🙂
loved your tips.
Awesome advice… Great for just overall well being
There has been so much cancer in my family that I try eat right and exercise. These are good tips to prevent cancer.
Thanks Mile a for sharing. Yes living healthy is just good anyway????
Great piece of information shared! I knew someone who was suffering from Blood Cancer and she passed away last month. She was a fighter but gave up before this deadly disease!
Yes.These things happen to make us truly appreciate life????
Excellent tips on Lifestyle to live without cancer, along with exercise and eating right, yes indeed Meditation is very helpful, thanks!
Thanks Arvin
Cancer is such a rampant disease so these tips are great ways to live in order to remain healthy.
Yes health is our true wealth.????
What a great reminder to live healthy life. Thanks for sharing great post!
Thanks Jasmine.
We have been on our heathy living journey for a few years and i would add making your owm cleaning products, hand wash, etc or buying from a natural product company if budget will allow, also not drinking tap water get a good filter Alkaline water is the best as cancer is acidic and can’t survive in a Alkaline body.
Yes these are wonderful tips.I do try doing a lot of these .Actually cancer research is going into new territories. The healthier you are the higher your fighting chance. Thanks for the great tips.
thank you for sharing these great tips!
Hi Dr. Amrita,
It’s wonderful you use your knowledge to help cancer victims.
Thanks for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop last week. Great to see you here!
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Thanks Janice ,I think they help me learn.Learning from fighters gives us life skills which help us survive.
It’s important to take care of yourself for sure. Make sure you get checked for all things and like you should.
Cancer is so tricky and affect so many people…even the healthiest of us, but definitely keeping a healthy lifestyle makes your chances even lower. Great tips! Thanks!
Great tips on overall healthy life, but not sure about avoiding cancer. Sometimes it just happens, and it happens to healthy people and not. :/
Thanks for sharing your tips. While there’s no 100% solution to prevent cancer, it’s important to live a healthy life.
Those are good tips. I try to be as healthy as possible. There are just so many things to watch out for and it is so hard to pinpoint what exactly is the cause.
Too often we forget the caregivers. It is good to sometimes just remind them to hang in there and take care of themselves
Wee have been trying to make a lifestyle change to be more healthy. We’ve done little things like no longer cooking with table salt, I rarely if ever drink soda, and we’re now working out at least 4 times each week. Once we conquer these, I think I’ll push to add a few that you mentioned!
This is such great and meaningful advice. I know caring for cancer patients is difficult and draining as it runs in my family. It was great to read up on all your tips for ensuring my chances are limited.
Listening to a person with life experience and wisdom is always the way to go.
What a great post and reminder to enjoy life, and live and love well.
This is great. As a mother getting sick and leaving my babies is such a huge fear! I am gonna apply these tips to my life!
Thanks for sharing these amazing tips on cancer prevention. Kashmir is a beautiful place and somewhere I want to go as well.
Yes Kashmir was beautiful. Life’s lessons comes in strange places