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What is an oncology doctor? Get to know about it!

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  Once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, he/she turns to the internet to learn about the anticancer drugs and treatment protocols and navigate to find a specialist who can treat cancer, what we call an ‘oncology doctor’.  What is an oncology doctor? An oncologist or oncology doctor is a person who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. They act as the main health care providers who help to design treatment plans, and coordinate with other medical specialists to provide supportive care.  What does an oncologist do? An oncologist role is centred towards complete cancer treatment from diagnosis to follow up. He/She will help to:  Confirm a cancer diagnosis using specialized tests Detect the type, location and stage of cancer Provide a list of possible treatment plans and set recommendations for selecting the best treatment option Help to manage the symptoms as well as side effects associated with both disease and treatment Discuss the disease, treatment and survival with family
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Know cancer 7 warning signs and symptoms!

When any deadly disease such as cancer attacks a person’s body, it may respond and tell something is not right through a series of signs and symptoms. These general clues can help to spot a disease at the earliest and thus further prevents its complications.  If you notice some unusual signs and symptoms , you should reach your doctor immediately. Here is a list of 7 warning signs and symptoms of cancer which may warrant a visit to your healthcare provider.  1. Lumps: It can be defined as a localized area of swelling which is often painless. It can occur in soft tissues, lymph nodes, breast or genital areas. Any hard immovable lump that is not tender, is growing rapidly and also persists for longer than a few weeks can be an early sign of cancer.  2. Changes in skin: Any unusual changes in skin such as moles, freckles or warts that may change in size, color, or shape can mark the occurrence of skin cancer. You should consider ABCDE checklist about the skin changes: Asymmetry: One ha
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Cancer Immunotherapy: Widening horizons of cancer treatment

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For years, it has been known that the immune system plays a crucial role in destroying mutated cells and fighting against infections. However, mutated cells may surpass the immune system destruction in some scenarios, leading to tumours and cancerous growth. So here comes cancer immunotherapy in action. Cancer immunotherapy is the most rapidly advancing treatment option that enhances the immune system's ability to recognize and attack mutated cancer cells in the body. It also helps produce additional components such as cytokines which boosts your body's natural ability to fight against cancer cells.  There are various types of immunotherapies, at present, which may work in different ways such as: Immune checkpoint inhibitors: It includes drugs that inhibit cancer cells from activating the immune system (immune checkpoints) and increase the body's defence to destroy cancer cells. Examples are nivolumab, ipilimumab, avelumab etc. FDA has approved most of the immune checkpoint
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Location: SCO 84, near Vatika park, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana 134109, India
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Get to know important things about cancer chemotherapy!

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You must have heard about cancer chemotherapy and might have a lot of queries about this treatment option. The word ‘chemotherapy’ is commonly used for medicines and drugs to treat any infectious disease. However, this term is commonly associated with cancer treatment.  Chemotherapy is widely used for controlling cancer, reducing its symptoms and curing it in some cases.  It works by blocking the growth and multiplication of cancer cells in the body, thus avoiding its spread from one specific location to other parts of the body (metastasis). It can also destroy cancer cells which have spread to distant locations.  It can either be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. It constitutes: Traditional or standard chemotherapy which uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells Neoadjuvant chemotherapy which is used prior surgery or radiation therapy to shrink cancer cells or tumors Adjuvant chemotherapy which is use
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Location: SCO 84, near Vatika park, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana 134109, India
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Living with cancer? Discover 7 essential cancer treatments!

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  Patients should be aware of various cancer treatments and their effectiveness, after a cancer diagnosis . Knowing about possible treatment options for your specific type may help to cope and fight against cancer. The treatments of cancer vary for every patient and are strictly dependent on some specific factors such as health status of the patient, type, location stage and spread of the disease. Most of the cancer treatments such as surgery are focused on killing or removing cancerous cells from the body (primary treatment), reduce the chances of recurrence of cancer (adjuvant treatment) and relieve the side effects associated with cancer and its treatment (palliative treatment).  Advances in cancer research have evolved various novel treatments which boost the body’s defense system against cancer. The major types of cancer treatments available are:  Surgery: It is the most commonly used treatment and usually employed in about 60% of the patients with cancer. There are various types
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Location: SCO 84, near Vatika park, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana 134109, India
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Breast cancer: What you should know?

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  Everyone contains at least a small amount of breast tissue composed of connective and fatty tissues. In women, it consists of specialized milk producing glands (lobules) which are further connected to nipples by a series of small channels (ducts). Any abnormal growth within breast tissues can lead to breast cancer .  What is Breast cancer? Breast cancer occurs when any of the cells of breast tissues grow uncontrollably creating a mass of cells and formation of tumor. This cancer is the 2nd most common gynaecological cancer after skin cancer and 2nd leading cause of death after lung cancer among women, according to NCI (National cancer institute) data. It may also occur in 1% of men.  It originates in the breast or can invade nearby lymph vessels and other parts of the breast. This cancer spreads to other surrounding tissues such as skin or chest wall and other parts of the body through the bloodstream (metastatic breast cancer) in some cases.  Causes and risk factors  The exact caus
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Location: SCO 84, near Vatika park, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana 134109, India
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Cancer causes you need to be aware of!

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  Abnormal cell growth in the body starts with precancerous variations to malignant tumours, which leads to cancer development. While some cancer causes remain unknown, others have been associated with one’s genetic makeup, poor lifestyle choices or even environmental carcinogens . Studies have shown that there is no one cause to be accountable for the growth of cancer instead it is an amalgamation of numerous factors. Without much ado, let’s read about some of the major causes of cancer: 1. Changes in the genetic makeup: Changes or alterations in the genetic constitution called ‘genetic mutations’ could cause a cell to become cancerous. The factors that may contribute to genetic mutations are as under: Inborn or a family history of gene mutations: These genetic mutations are hereditary or are inherited from the parents. This type of mutation comprises a small percentage of cancers. After birth gene mutations: These types of mutations account for a majority of cancers that are not her
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Location: SCO 84, near Vatika park, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana 134109, India
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