Cancer diagnosis often happens very late, whether it is due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, unidentifiable symptoms or simply missing cancer screenings. As a disease that affects many people globally, over the years, cancer treatments have gotten much more advanced, with people educating themselves with symptoms or subtle signs to ensure their health and well-being.

Pancreatic Cancer is the 10th most common diagnosed cancer in the US with 67,000 American expected to be diagnosed with it in 2025, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Pancreatic Cancer UK explains that the survival rates of pancreatic cancer are not very optimistic, as often they are diagnosed very late, and by the time it happens, the cancer becomes quite advanced.

To help people understand the disease better and recognize signs, Dr Ahmed Ezzat, a general surgery registrar at Imperial College Trust, explains three subtle signs of pancreatic cancer that you shouldn’t ignore.

Watch for These Three Subtle Clues

Catching these signs early can be very important for your health and survival. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. Current data shows it has the lowest survival rate among all common cancers, with less than 7% of people surviving for five years. Less than 10% of all patients diagnosed will make it to 10 years. That's why it's so vital to recognize the early signs. Do not miss these three signs.

Changes in Blood Sugar

One subtle sign is low blood sugar levels, which might show up as unusual hunger pangs. You might also suddenly develop Type 2 diabetes, or if you already have diabetes, your blood sugar levels might become very hard to control. This happens because the pancreas makes insulin, which controls blood sugar. If the pancreas isn't working right because of cancer, it can't make enough insulin, leading to unstable blood sugar. If you notice this, you should see your doctor urgently.

Unexplained Abdominal or Back Pain

Another important sign is pain in your belly or back that you can't explain. This pain might feel worse when you lie down or eat, and it could get a little better if you lean forward. If you experience these aches, it's crucial to get them checked out by your doctor.

Jaundice

The third subtle sign to be aware of is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or eyes. This is most easily seen in the whites of your eyes. Jaundice happens when a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in the body and can be caused by many things, including liver disease or cancer.

Other Important Symptoms to Note

Most people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed at a late stage, when survival rates are much lower. In fact, if pancreatic cancer is found at an early stage, the chance of surviving for one year is six times higher than if it's found at stage four. That's why being aware of these subtle symptoms and seeking medical advice quickly could make a life-saving difference. Besides these three key signs, other red flags for pancreatic cancer include

• Indigestion (like feeling bloated)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling or being sick
• Getting blood clots in a vein
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

On World No Tobacco Day, Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit, Senior Director of Medical Oncology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, sheds light on how tobacco affects women differently than men. While the overall dangers of smoking are well known, Dr. Rajpurohit emphasizes the need to understand the biological, hormonal, and social dimensions that make women more vulnerable to tobacco-related diseases and challenges in quitting.

Biological Differences Make Women More Sensitive to Nicotine

“Women metabolize nicotine more slowly than men, which results in prolonged exposure to its harmful effects,” says Dr. Rajpurohit. This slower metabolism, combined with hormonal changes across a woman’s life—such as during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause—can heighten nicotine’s addictive properties.

For instance, estrogen, a key female hormone, may increase sensitivity to nicotine, making it harder for women to quit. “This also explains why withdrawal symptoms might be more severe in women,” he adds.

Higher Risk of Certain Diseases

Women who smoke are more susceptible to certain diseases than their male counterparts, warns Dr. Rajpurohit.

Lung Cancer

Though men historically had higher rates of lung cancer, the gap has narrowed as more women took up smoking. “Women are not only developing lung cancer at younger ages, but they may also face more aggressive forms of the disease,” he says, pointing to biological differences in lung structure and function.

Heart Disease

Smoking significantly raises the risk of heart disease in women, especially those using hormonal contraceptives. “Smoking can cause the arteries to harden and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. When combined with birth control pills, the risk becomes even higher,” he explains.

Reproductive and Pregnancy Complications

Smoking affects fertility and reproductive health. It can lead to complications such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. “Women in their childbearing years should be especially cautious, as smoking during this period can have lasting effects on both the mother and child,” Dr. Rajpurohit stresses.

He also highlights severe pregnancy-related risks like placental abruption (where the placenta detaches from the uterus) and placenta previa (when the placenta blocks the cervix), both of which can endanger maternal and fetal health.

Hormonal Imbalance and Fertility Issues

Nicotine disrupts hormonal balance, impacting ovulation and menstrual cycles. Women who smoke often report irregular periods and find it more difficult to conceive. “The damage is not just temporary—prolonged tobacco use can lead to long-term reproductive challenges,” says Dr. Rajpurohit.

Why Women Find It Harder to Quit

Quitting smoking can be a more difficult journey for women due to psychological, hormonal, and social factors.

“Many women smoke to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. This emotional dependence can complicate their efforts to quit,” Dr. Rajpurohit explains. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can also influence cravings and mood, making it harder to resist smoking.

Additionally, women may lack adequate support from family or peers. “Social encouragement plays a huge role in smoking cessation, and women often find themselves without the backing they need,” he says.

To help women quit, he recommends a tailored approach involving behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and personalized quit plans. “These strategies must take into account individual stressors, emotional needs, and social settings,” he adds.

Secondhand Smoke and Societal Pressures

Women are often exposed to secondhand smoke in domestic environments, putting them at risk for the same diseases as smokers. “The dangers of passive smoking are real and can lead to respiratory illness, heart disease, and even pregnancy complications,” says Dr. Rajpurohit.

He also draws attention to how societal norms and advertising have historically influenced women’s smoking behavior. “Tobacco companies once marketed cigarettes to women as symbols of empowerment and liberation. Unfortunately, this portrayal led many to underestimate the health risks,” he notes.

In certain cultures, smoking among women may be normalized or not taken seriously, which further prevents intervention and support.

Empowering Women Through Awareness and Support

“Women face unique challenges when it comes to tobacco use, and we must address them with empathy and targeted strategies,” Dr. Rajpurohit concludes. On World No Tobacco Day, he urges women to seek help and become aware of the specific risks they face.

For those struggling with tobacco addiction, he recommends consulting healthcare professionals and exploring support systems that cater specifically to women’s needs. “The goal is not just to quit but to stay tobacco-free for life,” he says.

“I thought having done it all before, second time around I’d know exactly what to expect from the 4th trimester. But my expectations were all shot to hell in June when, 10 days after Louie was born, I was diagnosed with skin cancer.”

Hannah Penn, a mother, as well as a working professional, who has been in her industry with 17 years of experience, never thought the devastating diagnosis of cancer was in books for her. Being diagnosed with skin cancer shortly after her second child's birth, she expressed her gratefulness for the quickness of the diagnosis and the swift way it was dealt with.

“I write this today eternally grateful and lucky enough to have had successful surgery, catching the cancer before it spread to further organs. The first urgent operation was carried out within 40 minutes of me being diagnosed”

News like this can be difficult for people to handle, shaking them to the core. However, Hannah took it in stride, and not only tackled the disease, but she also started working on ways to stop this.

As a worried mother, she looked into risk factors, causes and who are at risk for it. It was them that she came across statistics that showed that construction workers, who made 8% of UK’s workforce, were the most at risk. In fact, 44% of deaths associated with melanoma were occupational deaths of construction workers. Understanding the severity of this, she worked with a group of professionals to create a protective vest of sorts that could aid a lot of workers and keep them safe.

An Innovative Approach to Cancer: UV-Alert Vest

Hannah and her team, from Pablo Creative Agency, came up with the UV-U-SEE logo and "The Higher Vis Vest." These vests have a special silicone patch filled with material that changes color in the sun.

As the sun's strong UV rays get stronger, the patch changes from white to pink and then to red. This color change tells the worker and others nearby to put on sunscreen and be careful not to get sunburned. It's a simple way to remind them to protect themselves right away.

Hannah explained that getting cancer treatment while having a very young child was really hard for her. She worried about how the treatments might affect her baby, especially since her cancer was growing while she was pregnant.

This personal struggle made her look into facts about cancer risk. She was trying to find out if her children would be more likely to get melanoma because she had it. That's when she found surprising information about construction workers. She realized that if she had a way to see her own danger, these workers needed one too.

How Her Illness Uncovered The Critical Gap In Safety

Hannah was really surprised that there were no rules for skin protection on building sites, given how risky it is. Since nothing like this existed, she decided to create her own product. She felt that everyone facing such a high risk needed a clear way to see the danger they were in.

Besides construction, Hannah thinks this idea can help anyone who spends a lot of time outside, like people working at music festivals, athletes playing sports, or even just people going to the shops.

Hannah strongly believes that skin cancer can be prevented in most cases – about 86%. With the right steps and awareness, many lives can be saved. She said melanoma is like a "silent killer" that's easy to ignore. She was lucky her cancer was found in time and hopes her invention will help save other people too. Her team was very passionate about using their skills to highlight this deadly risk in construction and change how people act.

Personal hygiene is something our parents would insist upon in our youth. Teaching kids the value of keeping clean and keeping yourself healthy is something that a parent must do. While kids may sometimes be resentful of the constant nagging to keep clean, most of us grew to understand that it was an important life lesson. However, do adults carry forward the same level of cleanliness into adulthood?

A recent survey shows that half of adults are cutting corners with their dental care. Surprisingly, one in five even choose a quick swish of mouthwash instead of brushing their teeth.

Common Shortcuts and Their Reasons

The study was commissioned by Philips Sonicare, involved 2,000 adults. The study revealed that not only do 45% do not floss, 41% brush only once a day, but 12% have even used a finger as a makeshift toothbrush.

Another surprising finding of the study was that nearly 20% of adults brush for less than the recommended two minutes, only freshening their breath instead of truly cleaning their teeth.

However, why would someone sacrifice their sanitary health? Laziness, lack of time, and feeling unwell are common reasons for these shortcuts. A concerning one in 10 adults admitted to never having cleaned between their teeth with floss in their entire adult lives. An expert from Philips Sonicare, which sponsored the study, noted that many adults neglect oral hygiene, often unaware of the significant health consequences until it is too late.

Oral Hygiene and Social Perceptions

The research also highlighted that most people, about 79%, believe others judge them based on their oral hygiene and the appearance of their teeth. In fact, 42% assume someone does not take care of themselves if they have discolored teeth, bad breath, or other oral issues. This suggests a strong social stigma associated with poor dental health.

Impact on Life and Dental Visits

Poor oral hygiene has held many back, with 23% saying it prevented them from doing things like talking to people (46%), going on a date (29%), or posting photos showing their teeth on social media (27%). Nearly half believe it impacts romantic relationships, and 38% think it affects their job prospects. Despite this, only a quarter visit the dentist yearly, and 34% have never seen a hygienist, with one in ten not even knowing what a hygienist is. As a result, 41% have had a filling, 27% a tooth pulled, and 17% a root canal. Yet, 72% still believe their oral hygiene is generally healthy.

Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Neglecting daily brushing, flossing, or hygienist check-ups can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and even more serious conditions like heart disease. To ensure proper cleaning, it is recommended to brush for two minutes, possibly using an electric toothbrush with a timer or listening to a song for timing.

Tips for Oral Hygiene

Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day: Most people brush for less than a minute, which isn't enough. Aim for a full two minutes, ideally in the morning and before bed, for a thorough clean.

Use a fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride helps make your tooth enamel stronger and prevents cavities. After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but avoid rinsing your mouth right away to let the fluoride work longer.

Be gentle, don’t scrub: Brushing too hard can wear down your tooth enamel and hurt your gums. Some electric toothbrushes have a sensor to tell you if you are brushing too hard.

Don’t forget the gumline and back teeth: Plaque often builds up along the gumline and on your molars. Tilt your brush at a 45-degree angle to effectively clean along the gumline.

Change your electric toothbrush head every 3 months: Old, worn-out bristles clean less effectively and can even hold bacteria. Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed.