Of all forms of cancer, breast cancer has the highest rate of incidence in India. Data says that one in every 22 women develop it. Sadly, the latest cancer statistics in India states that out of every two women who develop breast cancer, one dies. Unlike what has been observed across the world, the strata…
Some of the greatest love stories go unseen, unheard and undocumented, simply because they’re ordinary couples living their lives. So this Valentine’s Day, we try to showcase such stories—everyday people and their extraordinary love! After completing his undergraduate studies, when Sachin Kumar, native of Kerala’s Pothukal town signed up for an accountancy course in Nilambur,…
Imagine biting into gooey brownies, chocolate pastries and delectable cupcakes, that are not only tasty but also nutritious. If this is the stuff that your dreams are made of, you can thank Senthil Kumar Balu, a 33-year-old Chennai-based cancer researcher and home baker, for turning them into reality! In his conversation with The Better India,…
In 2018, cancer took more than seven lakh lives in India. These are excluding the two million more who continue to live and suffer from the deadly disease. According to the estimates by the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR), the death toll is expected to rise to 8.8 lakh by 2020. This rise is not…
The statistics for cervical cancer in India do not look good. According to 2016 National Health Portal statistics, the country has more than 436.76 million women above the age of 15 who are at risk of developing the disease. Nearly 74,000 Indian women lose their lives every year to cervical cancer, which, according to medical…
Did you know that in India, every year, around 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and because of the disparity in income and wealth across the country, only about 22 percent make it to hospitals for treatment? What is even more tragic is that at the time of diagnosis, most of these children are found…
A mother’s love and support can help a child conquer the highest mountain, swim the deepest ocean and overcome the most impossible of tasks. For Dr Rekha, her mother’s support took her from living in a Mumbai chawl to becoming a respected cancer researcher! She writes about her journey and her mother’s unrelenting support in…
It is a common misconception about lung cancer across the globe and in India is that cigarettes are the only reason behind its occurrence. While smoking has been proven to be a major causative factor, it doesn’t necessarily mean that non-smokers are entirely safe from the often fatal pulmonary disease. In fact, according to a…
Swayam Prabha, a Bengaluru-based woman, was diagnosed with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, eight years ago. The name “BRCA” is an abbreviation for “BReast CAncer gene.” Every human has both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Despite their names, the BRCA genes do not cause breast cancer and are normally cancer suppressors. The BRCA mutation…
When you are suffering from a deadly disease like cancer, emotional, mental and financial support is always welcome, and two teenage sisters based in Dubai are showing their love and support to young cancer patients in Mumbai in a unique way. Mehr and Shenaya Bhatia have decided to help young cancer warriors—by selling packs of…