Cancer prevention:Living life meaningfully

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

#Have Vitamin D

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.