In the last two years, many significant advancements have occurred and witnessed, as far as cancer treatment is concerned, and one change that has come in the oncology sector is proton therapy. Proton therapy is a highly advanced form of radiation treatment that gives targeted treatment with important reductions in long-term side effects.

As we try to grasp the complexities of the treatment as well as its implications for patients, we spoke with Dr Sapna Nangia, Director and Head of the Neck and Breast Department of Radiation Oncology at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre.

In this article, Dr Nangia speaks on how proton therapy works, its benefits over conventional radiation therapies, its suitability for children and adults, and the promising results that have been produced for patients globally.

What is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is one form of radiation treatment that uses protons, or positively charged particles, to treat cancer. Unlike other types of radiation, such as X-rays, that traditionally were used for irradiation, proton therapy uses targeted irradiation delivered right onto the cancer cells to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues. "Proton therapy lets us deposit radiation more precisely, sparing normal tissues to a much greater degree," Dr Nangia emphasized. That is, this precision enables the treatment of cancers located near critical organs without risking collateral damage most likely to cause severe side effects.

Is Proton Therapy Treatment less side effectively?

One of the major disadvantages of the traditional forms of radiation therapy is that it often damages the normal tissues around the cancerous area, and thus, a lot of side effects are observed-the inability to swallow, skin irritation, and extended complications later on. By proton therapy, the beam stops precisely at the location of the cancer. "Thus, by sparing normal tissues, we're not only improving the comfort of a patient during treatment but also enhancing their quality of life post-treatment," says Dr Nangia.

Patients who are treated with proton therapy are expected to lead normal lives and work again. This is one of the biggest benefits for cancer survivors. According to Dr Nangia, "Much later in life, patients who have undergone proton therapy are more likely to return to their routine occupation and regimen without further complications following radiation treatment." This makes the proton therapy a yet more significant advantage for cancers in sensitive parts such as the brain, neck, and liver, as noted.

Role of Proton Therapy Treatment for Kids

Proton therapy becomes all the more important in the case of pediatric patients with cancer. In treating children, oncologists have to take care of the immediate effects of cancer treatment; they also have to focus on the future impact on the child's developing body. As Dr Nangia puts it, "When we treat pediatric cancers, we are not only addressing the present; we are planning for the patient's next 40-50 years of life."

Proton therapy means such growing tissues and organs receive minimized unnecessary radiation. The risk of secondary cancers years later because of radiation treatment is reduced. "Children who undergo proton therapy benefit hugely because the reduced radiation exposure lowers their risk of developing radiation-induced secondary cancers later in life," says Dr Nangia.

Since pediatric cancers make up the largest number of patients receiving treatment at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, the hospital has become a prominent facility in providing proton therapy to young patients. This also means not only a better survival prognosis but an healthier future for children and their families.

Proton Therapy for 'Targeted' Cancer

The treatment of more people with prostate, brain, head, and neck cancers is more commonly associated with proton therapy. However, it has also emerged as a promising treatment modality for breast and liver cancers. Dr Nangia is optimistic about the treatment of patients with breast cancer, especially at risk from cardiac disease.

"In patients at risk of cardiac disease due to the treatment of left-sided breast cancer, proton therapy can reduce the potential risk to the heart," she says.

Even in the case of patients who have liver cancer, proton treatment targets the tumors precisely and causes less damage to the healthy parts of the liver. This would reduce the chances of liver failure, a condition with which the patients usually suffer due to conventional radiation treatment for liver cancer. "The liver is a very sensitive organ, and proton therapy enables us to treat the tumor without compromising the remaining healthy tissue," adds Dr Nangia.

The most misleading thing about cancer treatment is that all radiation therapies can cause hair loss and other systemic side effects. However, explained by Dr Nangia, proton therapy is more localized, hence affective only in an area that is being targeted. "For example, if we are treating a tumor in the tonsil or neck, then the radiation is confined to the area; hair loss isn't a concern, unless the head or scalp is being treated."

She further elaborates that the localized aspect of proton therapy does not contribute to most of the systemic side effects chemotherapy and traditional radiation provides. So that patients could tolerate the treatment much better.

Positive Outcomes of Proton Therapy and Successful Patient Stories

Since its inception five years ago, at Apollo Proton Cancer Center we have provided proton therapy to 1,600 patients. Results are seen to be generally excellent, with patients returning to normal, cancer-free lives. Dr Nangia recalls that there was a very inspired case of a lady whose skull base tumor was inoperable. "Her tumor was compressing all the nerves of her eye, causing her complete loss of vision. After proton therapy, she gained partial vision and resumed her work as a software professional and leads a cancer-free life," said Dr Nangia.

Those success stories do not end there. Patients from more than 32 countries come to seek treatment to Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. They are Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepali citizens, among many more. It is thus witnessed that this cutting-edge treatment modality has acquired world recognition. For a majority of these patients, protons mean not only defeating cancer but also regaining quality of life after treatment.

It is a recently introduced technology in India with immense scope. According to Dr Nangia, "This technology is a boon to patients in India who had to go all the way to Europe or the U.S. for proton therapy." With specific programmes and substantive academic support, Dr Nangia and her team has been continuously pioneering the entry of proton therapy into more lives.

Increasingly, greater awareness on the benefits of proton therapy in cancer treatment will make this cutting-edge treatment approach accessible to more patients in India and neighboring countries with a good possibility of survival and opening up even better prospects in life.

Proton therapy is changing the landscape in the delivery of cancer treatments, offering an effective, highly targeted option that spares healthy tissues and minimizes long term side effects. It's a promising pathway to recovery for the majority of adult patients, not to forget pediatric cancer patients.

Thousands of patients in India are now given access to this advanced treatment, thanks to the pioneers like Dr Sapna Nangia. Ultimately, we must dream of a future where this cancer treatment shall be more precise, less invasive, and above all, more hopeful.

We have all heard the phrase ‘I have a gut feeling’ or ‘gut-wrenching’ experience and other variations of gut and our feelings. However, are they just phrases or do they hold some truth to them. There have been many studies that show how your mental health affects your gut and vice versa.

People have expressed how when they are scared or angry or anxious they often experience an upset stomach with other people also experiencing some sort of sudden reaction with heightened feelings whether it is a lurch or a sudden ‘drop’.

So, if these things affect your gut, then can helping your gut make you feel better? A new study shows that a happy gut could mean a happy you.

A recent study published in the npj Mental Health Research found that people who took probiotic supplements, which contain live microorganisms, reported feeling better emotionally over a month. Interestingly, these probiotics didn't seem to change people's overall mood as measured by standard psychological questionnaires.

The study explained that "negative feelings" can mean different things to different people. She believes this finding is significant because it suggests probiotics might help with whatever an individual interprets as a negative emotion, whether it's anxiety, sadness, or tiredness.

What Are Probiotics?

The types of microbes that thrive in our gut are largely determined by the food we eat and what those microbes do because of this, companies and researchers have developed probiotic supplements containing specific strains of live microorganisms. The goal is to see if these supplements can improve health. Probiotics, usually sold in capsules or pills, are defined as live microorganisms that provide a health benefit when consumed in adequate amounts. These beneficial microbes are also naturally present in some fermented foods like yogurt.

How Do Probiotics Directly Affect Your Mood?

The study involved 88 healthy individuals. For one month, half of the participants took a daily probiotic supplement, while the other half took a placebo (a dummy pill with no active ingredients). The probiotic used was a mix of nine different bacteria strains found in the Ecologic Barrier mixture from a Dutch company. Participants mixed a sachet of these bacteria with lukewarm water each day.

At the beginning and end of the study, everyone completed ten different questionnaires about their emotions and how they processed them, as well as one about any bowel issues. Participants also rated how positive or negative they felt each day on a scale and provided stool samples.

The results showed that both the placebo group and the probiotic group:

• Scored similarly on the mood questionnaires.
• Reported similar levels of good mood each day.

However, the group that took probiotics said their negative mood went down after just two weeks. This difference between daily feelings and the questionnaires suggests we might need better ways to measure mood changes.

How the Gut And Brain is Connected?

Harvard Health Publishing explains that our gut and our brain are closely linked, so much so that how we feel emotionally can directly affect our stomach and intestines, and problems in our gut can also send signals to our brain, influencing our mood. Think about how stress can give you "butterflies" or how worry can make you feel sick to your stomach – these common feelings show this strong connection because of this, when our gut is upset for no clear physical reason, it's important to consider how our stress and emotions might be playing a role, as our mental state can actually change how our digestive system works and how sensitive we are to pain in our gut.

Hypertension affects nearly 1.28 billion adults globally, it is a condition that can have different effects on your body. These effects range from elevated heart rate to severe damage to our body’s organs.

According to the World Health Organization, blood pressure is considered dangerous and high when the pressure levels in your blood range from 140/90 mmHg or higher. Interestingly, people with hypertension may often show symptoms and the only way to know is by checking your blood pressure. However, the effect of elevated blood pressure becomes apparent when different organs start getting affected by it.

You might know high blood pressure affects your heart, but it can also silently harm your eyes. The delicate blood vessels in your eyes are vulnerable to high pressure, and if left uncontrolled, this can lead to several conditions that cause vision loss. From damaging the retina's blood supply to harming the optic nerve, high blood pressure poses a significant risk to your sight. We spoke to Dr. Charu Dutt Arora, Geriatrics & Palliative Care physician, based in Delhi, as well as a member of Doctube, about hypertension and its unexpected effect on our vision.

Unexpected Side Effects of High Blood Pressure

Most people know high blood pressure is bad for the heart and can cause stroke. " Over time, it can quietly damage your kidneys, eyes, and even your brain without you realizing it" explained Dr. Dutt. Some people might feel tired all the time, have trouble sleeping, or have issues with intimacy, but they might not think it's related to their blood pressure. Older people might also get dizzy or fall more easily because of it.

How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Your Vision?

If your blood pressure stays high consistently, it can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This can lead to blurry vision, seeing spots (floaters), or even losing your vision permanently. People who've had high blood pressure for a long time or whose blood pressure isn't well-controlled are more likely to have these eye problems, according to Dr. Dutt, “People with long-standing or poorly controlled blood pressure are more likely to have these changes, especially if they don’t get regular eye check-ups. It’s something we often catch late—but it can be prevented with good control and timely screening.”

How Does Long-Term High Blood Pressure Impact Daily Life?

Dr. Dutt shares that high blood pressure doesn't just affect your health; it can change how you live every day. Many of my patients feel stressed or worried, especially when their blood pressure goes up and down or when they must take many different medicines. Some say they don't go out as much or travel because they feel too tired or must be careful about what they eat. “I've also seen older patients have problems with hearing, dizziness, or even memory. It's all connected. Dealing with a long-term illness like high blood pressure can also be hard emotionally and financially.”

Temporary vs. Permanent Vision Changes Due to High Blood Pressure

"Yes, it can cause temporary vision changes like blurriness or tunnel vision, especially during sudden spikes in blood pressure. These may settle once the blood pressure is under control. " Dr Dutt further explained how these changes might go away once your blood pressure is back to normal but if these spikes keep happening or if you ignore the symptoms, the damage to your eyes, especially the retina or the nerve that connects your eye to your brain, can become permanent. That's why it's so important to get your eyes checked regularly if you have high blood pressure.

How Are Screen Time and Vision Problems Linked To High BP

Looking at screens for too long isn't a direct cause of eye damage from high blood pressure, but it can make things worse. It can make your eyes tired, dry, and blurry, which can hide early signs of damage caused by high blood pressure. " Plus, if screen time affects your sleep (thanks to all that blue light), that can adversely affect your blood pressure control too. So yes, it’s something we should be mindful of, especially in patients who are already dealing with hypertension" So, it's something to be careful about, especially if you already have high blood pressure.

Dr. Dutt concluded that high blood pressure isn’t just limited to affecting your heart but affects many areas of one’s life. “With regular monitoring, the right treatment, and a healthy lifestyle, we can protect our visions as well as bodily health”

Pets are one of the best additions to families. While their form of communication may be different, they grow to share a special bond with us. Pets are recommended by many specialists, healthcare professionals, people who work with children development etc. While you may have come across many ‘why you should become a pet parent’ or ‘how your pets help children develop’ articles, one must make sure they check all potential points before making the leap.

Becoming a pet parent is a big deal, not just as a financial commitment, but it will also affect different aspects of your life like your social life, your professional life etc. Another aspect one should be aware of is the role it could play in affecting your child’s health. If you are wondering about pet hair and dander allergies, they are the least of your worries. There are other things that you should take precautions against and ensure proper steps, which will not only keep your kid safe, but also the pet, happy and healthy.

Pets Can Help Us Tackle Loneliness

According to the Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health traditional pets can lessen loneliness and quickly improve mental wellness in humans. While much focus has been on adults, newer research highlights the potential positive effects of pet ownership on children's emotional, cognitive, behavioral, educational, and social growth. However, this growth also comes with risks.

Even though pets are great, they can also bring germs into the house. Kids are more likely to get sick from these germs than adults. This is because kids might not have all their shots yet and their bodies aren't as good at fighting off sickness. Also, kids might get bitten by a pet they know because they have lots of energy and do things that can make the animal feel like it needs to protect itself.

Common Pet and Common Germs

Most people in America have "regular" pets like dogs and cats. We love them like furry friends, but they can carry germs that can make kids sick. Dogs, especially, can spread different kinds of bacteria that parents should know about, like Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium difficile, and Pasteurella.

If you have a puppy, there's a higher chance of getting a germ called Campylobacter jejuni. It's not always the dog's fault, though. Dogs often get this germ from eating leftover food from the kitchen. Then, the dog can pass it on to the child. Kids who get this might have diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Sometimes, the germ can get into the blood after the stomach problems start. Usually, the body fights it off quickly. But if a child has a weak immune system, the sickness might come back.

When dogs lick or "kiss" kids, they can easily pass on Clostridium difficile. This germ can also cause diarrhea and stomach cramps because it makes a big part of the gut swollen.

Dogs and cats have Pasteurella germs in their noses and throats. If a dog or cat scratches a child, these germs can get in. The most common problem is a skin infection called cellulitis. Sometimes, it can also cause infections in the brain, bones, or lungs.

Germs More Common with Cats

While both dogs and cats can give kids Pasteurella, some germs are more likely to come from cats. One common one is Toxoplasma gondii. Kids usually get it by eating or swallowing something that has cat poop in it. This can happen easily because kids are curious and might touch the cat's litter box. The sickness feels like the flu, with fever, swollen glands, body aches, and feeling tired.

Cats also often carry Bartonella germs, which they get from fleas or from other sick cats. Many healthy cats, especially kittens, have this in their blood. If a child gets Bartonella, they might have swollen and sore glands a week or two after being around a cat, a scab where the germ got in, and sometimes heart problems. Kids under 15 get sick most often, but it's also important to watch out if a child has a weak immune system.

Animals can naturally have germs that can pass to kids, especially those with weak immune systems. It's important for parents to know the signs of these illnesses and the germs that their pets might carry, especially if they have young children at home.