Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Why It Is Important To Engage Men In Breast Cancer Conversation For Timely Detection

Updated Oct 12, 2024 | 05:30 PM IST

SummaryEngaging men in breast cancer awareness is crucial for early detection and support. Expanding the conversation to include men strengthens awareness, empowering them to take proactive steps for their health.
Why It Is Important To Engage Men In Breast Cancer Awareness

Why It Is Important To Engage Men In Breast Cancer Awareness

October being a breast cancer awareness month, shouldn’t be the only time when awareness or education has to be done for the masses. Due to the current Lifestyle, it is important to annulate people about diseases that are life-threatening. The prevalence of cancer has become rampant and it is high time we take charge of our health in our hands.

The word cancer, itself is so scary, it has the power to destroy you, and your loved ones and disrupt your life. Why don't we understand the disease, educate people, and create awareness to save mankind and be responsible?

It is very important to understand that humans are born with 5% predetermined genes, and we have the power to make our genes stronger and more resilient.

Inculcating the natural cosmic elements like sunshine, walking on the grass, pranayama practices in the morning, breathing exercises to improve blood circulation which will improve oxygenation levels, following a dincharya, spending time in nature, eating well-balanced nutritious meals that are creative, healing and curative, practicing yoga, walking, sleeping well, managing our stress levels will make a difference in shaping our lives. These elements when we follow in our life can keep many lifestyle diseases at bay. Just simple corrections in our lives will help us to bring out the best version of ourselves and will build our longevity, immunity, and vitality.

Traditionally it is viewed as a women’s health issue, breast cancer awareness has often excluded men, even though they can also be affected by the disease. Engaging men in breast cancer awareness is crucial, as breast cancer can affect men, albeit at lower rates than women.

By broadening the conversation to include men, we not only empower them to advocate for their health but also strengthen support systems for those affected by breast cancer which is very important as a society that we live in.

Awareness campaigns should utilize language and visuals that resonate with men. Highlighting male breast cancer cases, sharing stories of male patients, and emphasizing the importance of early detection can make the message more relatable. This helps to bring the community closer and creates a bond among them that is lacking in many aspects.

Today's social media holds great power and is available to everyone with just a click away. The generation is so dependent on technology, the internet we can surely use it to make an impact and create awareness of certain diseases.

Social media platforms can be the most effective tools for spreading awareness. Campaigns that encourage men to share their stories, post about the importance of breast cancer awareness, or participate in challenges can help reach diverse demographics.

Educational Initiatives can do wonders too providing resources that educate men about breast cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors can empower them to take proactive steps in their health care. Workshops or online webinars can be useful in disseminating this information, especially in the workspace.

Organizing events that include both men and women can foster a sense of community and shared responsibility. Charity runs, workshops, and educational seminars that involve both genders can create an inclusive atmosphere where children should be called too as they are the future of tomorrow.

"Raising cancer awareness empowers individuals with the knowledge to recognize early signs, seek timely treatment, and ultimately save lives, as it is rightly said “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE” because prevention and early detection are the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer.

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Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better? Why Olympians Are Injecting Hyaluronic Acid - Explained

Updated Feb 7, 2026 | 10:43 AM IST

SummaryOlympians are reportedly injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises to gain extra suit surface area in ski jumping, dubbed “Penisgate”. While it may increase girth and flight distance, experts warn of risks including pain, deformity, infection, sexual dysfunction, and tissue loss.
Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better? Why Olympians Are Injecting Hyaluronic Acid - Explained

Credits: Canva

What won't people do to get that gold. In the quest for so, Olympians re injecting hyaluronic acid in their penises. The reason? For skiing, it helps them fly better and further.

In January, a German newspaper, Bild reported that jumpers were injecting, what now is dubbed as Penisgate in their penis. The newspaper claimed that athletes inject the acid in the penis before they are measured for their suits.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: What Does Penisgate Do To The Penis?

Hyaluronic acid is used for cosmetic surgery, especially as a filler. Surgeons have also used it for penile girth enlargement. This is exactly why it is being used by the Olympians.

Injecting hyaluronic acid will increase the penile girth. However, experts point out that this means, one has to insert a lot of it in the penis to have this worked out. It is not a permanent solution, and can only last up to six to 12 months, depending on the absorption.

Inserting this will increase the penile girth or the penis circumference by one or two centimeters. As per the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, the surface area of their suits during competition could be increased by this, which increases their flight in the air, reported BBC.

"Every extra centimetre on a suit counts. If you suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further," said FIS ski jumping's men race director Sandro Pertile, reported by BBC.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: Why Are Olympians Injecting Their Penises With Hyaluronic Acid?

Ahead of each season, ski jumpers undergo measurements using 3D body scanners and are required to wear only elastic, body-tight underwear during the process.

Regulations allow suit measurements a tolerance of just 2–4 cm. As part of this assessment, athletes’ crotch height is also recorded. The suit’s crotch height must match the athlete’s own measurement, with an additional 3 cm permitted for men.

Hyaluronic acid injections into the penis can last for up to 18 months.

Athletes have previously faced scrutiny for attempting to boost performance through alterations or manipulation of their suits.

Does Bigger Penis Help You Ski Better?: What Are The Risks Of Injecting Hyaluronic Acid In Penis?

Experts caution that penile injections using hyaluronic acid can pose serious short- and long-term risks.

They warn that improper technique or incorrect dosing may lead to pain, disfigurement, deformity, infection, inflammation, altered sensation, and sexual dysfunction. In rare cases, infections can worsen, causing tissue death (gangrene) and even loss of the penis.

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COVID Vaccination Is Not Linked To Reduce In Childbirth, Says Study

Updated Feb 7, 2026 | 02:00 AM IST

SummaryA Swedish population-based study published in Communications Medicine found no link between COVID-19 vaccination and reduced childbirth or increased miscarriages. Researchers say falling birth rates during the pandemic are more likely due to demographic shifts, economic uncertainty and pandemic-related behavioral changes.
COVID Vaccination Is Not Linked To Reduce In Childbirth, Says Study

Credits: iStock and Canva

A large population-based study from Linköping University in Sweden has found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination caused a decline in childbirth during the pandemic, countering persistent rumors that mRNA vaccines affect fertility. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Communications Medicine.

The study was conducted amid widespread misinformation, particularly on social media, suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. These claims gained traction as several countries, including Sweden, recorded a drop in birth rates during the later stages of the pandemic, prompting questions about a possible link to vaccination.

“Our conclusion is that it’s highly unlikely that the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 was behind the decrease in childbirth during the pandemic,” said Toomas Timpka, professor of social medicine at Linköping University and one of the study’s authors.

Why Researchers Investigated the Claim

Since the early months of the pandemic, unverified claims about vaccines and fertility have circulated widely online. When official data later showed fewer babies being born in some regions, researchers decided to examine whether vaccination could plausibly explain the trend or whether other social and demographic factors were at play.

Read: Ahmedabad Toddler Swallows Hulk Toy, Showed X-Ray, Doctors Remove It Via Endoscopy

To address the issue, the research team carried out an extensive analysis using real-world healthcare data rather than surveys or self-reported outcomes.

Study Looks at Nearly 60,000 Women

The study analyzed health records of all women aged 18 to 45 years living in Region Jönköping County, a region with a total population of around 369,000 people. This amounted to nearly 60,000 women included in the analysis.

Between 2021 and 2024, about 75 per cent of these women received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers examined data on childbirths, registered miscarriages, vaccination status and deaths using official healthcare records, allowing for a comprehensive comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Importantly, the researchers adjusted their analysis for age, recognizing that age is one of the most significant factors influencing fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

No Difference in Births or Miscarriages

When childbirth rates were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated women, the researchers found no statistically significant difference. The same held true for miscarriage rates among women who became pregnant during the study period.

“We see no difference in childbirth rates between those who have taken the vaccine and those who haven’t,” said Timpka. “We’ve also looked at all registered miscarriages among those who became pregnant, and we see no difference between the groups there either.”

These findings align with several earlier international studies that have similarly found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and reduced fertility.

Other Factors Likely Behind Falling Birth Rates

According to the researchers, the decline in childbirth observed during the pandemic is more plausibly explained by broader demographic and social trends.

People currently in their 30s, the age group most likely to have children, were born in the second half of the 1990s. That period was marked by economic challenges and lower birth rates in Sweden, meaning today’s pool of potential parents is smaller than in previous generations.

In addition, pandemic-related factors such as health concerns, economic uncertainty, delayed family planning and lifestyle changes during lockdowns may have contributed to fewer pregnancies.

One of the study’s key strengths is its large, representative sample drawn from an entire region rather than a selected group. By using verified healthcare records and accounting for age-related effects, the researchers aimed to minimize bias and improve reliability.

The study received financial support from several sources, including the Swedish Research Council.

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These Are The 2 Major Reasons For Cancer, Says WHO

Updated Feb 6, 2026 | 11:00 PM IST

SummaryIn 2022, nearly 20 million cancer cases were recorded worldwide, with numbers expected to surge by 2050. A WHO study says over 38 percent of cancers are preventable, with tobacco and alcohol the leading causes, alongside pollution, infections, obesity and inactivity globally.
These Are The 2 Major Reasons For Cancer, Says WHO

Credits: Canva

In 2022, there were almost 20 million new cases of cancer and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths worldwide, noted the National Cancer Institute (US). By 2050, it is predicted that the number of new cancer cases will rise to 33 million per year, with deaths rising to 18.2 million. While there are many reasons for cancer, a new comprehensive study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that there are two major habits that are the leading cause of cancer.

As per WHO, more than 38% of cancer cases worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine and it suggests that millions of diagnoses each year could be avoided through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and environmental improvements.

WHO Study Says These 2 Major Habits Could Cause Cancer

Tobacco Use

As per the Association of Tobacco Use and Cancer Incidence, in India, the risk of any cancer with smoke and smokeless tobacco is 2.71 and 2.68, respectively. The study noted that risk of cancer due to tobacco use is consistent especially in India. Site-specific analysis showed higher risks of respiratory system cancers of 4.97 and head and neck cancers of 3.95.

As per several studies, including Cancer Research UK and National Institutes of Health (NIH), tobacco causes approximately 2.5 million cancer deaths globally, every year. This means, it accounts for 1 in every 4 global cancer death. It is also linked to 16 to 20 different types of cancer.

The WHO ranked it as the top reason for cancer, which is responsible for 15% of all global cancer cases. The impact is more in men, leading to 23% more new diagnoses.

Alcohol Use

The WHO study ranks it as the second most significant lifestyle factor that accounts for 700,000 new cases annually, leading to 3.2% of global cancer cases.

As per the National Cancer Institute (US), alcohol consumption is a significant, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for an estimated 741,300 to 750,000 new cancer cases worldwide in 2020. It is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Even light-to-moderate drinking contributes, with about 185,100 cases annually tied to consuming two or fewer drinks per day.

What Are The Other Causes Of Cancer As Per WHO Study

Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer, particularly in heavily polluted regions. In East Asia, for instance, around 15 per cent of lung cancer cases in women are linked to poor air quality. Experts say this underlines the urgent need for cleaner energy and stricter pollution controls.

Infections are another significant contributor, accounting for about 10 per cent of new cancer cases globally. High-risk strains of the human papillomavirus are the leading cause of cervical cancer, while stomach cancer is often linked to infections associated with unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Other important risk factors include high body mass index, lack of physical activity and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, all of which continue to drive cancer rates across different populations.

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