Detecting cancer early significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment, as it often prevents the disease from spreading to other parts of the body. While screenings, like mammograms and colonoscopies, are essential for detecting many types of cancer, knowing your body and recognizing changes can also be incredibly valuable. Self-exams—simple screenings you can perform at home—allow you to monitor your body for early signs of potential issues.

Although these exams don’t replace medical screenings, they offer an added layer of self-awareness and health monitoring that could potentially help detect certain cancers in their early stages.

Dr Supratim Bhattacharyya, Consultant - Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Cancer Centres said, "Early detection of cancer is among the most important factors to achieve a better prognosis and long-term cure. Detecting cancer at home involves being aware of generalized cancer symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or lasting pain. A few more specific symptoms include painless breast lump for breast cancer, bleeding with stool or unexplained Anaemia, altered bowel habits for colorectal cancer, non-healing ulcers of oral cavity cancer, size/ shape/ colour/ border asymmetry of moles, indicating skin cancer, etc. It is imperative to be vigilant and to consult a physician in doubt."

Self-exams can be an empowering way to take charge of your health. They involve straightforward steps that familiarize you with your body, making it easier to notice unusual changes. Here’s a look at self-checks for four types of cancer that you can perform at home.

Getting to Know Your Body: How to Perform a Self-Exam

Regular self-exams can help you detect skin, oral, breast, and testicular cancers early. Learning these step-by-step techniques will guide you through what to watch for and how to inspect each part of your body thoroughly.

Skin Cancer

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a spot that looks different, changes, itches, or bleeds can be an early warning sign of skin cancer. If you notice any unusual skin spots, consider consulting a board-certified dermatologist for a professional evaluation. Here’s how to perform a skin self-exam:

1. Examine Your Body in a Full-Length Mirror: Start by examining your front and back in a full-length mirror. Then, check the right and left sides of your body with your arms raised.

2. Inspect Your Underarms, Forearms, and Palms: Bend your elbows to look at your forearms, underarms, fingernails, and palms.

3. Check Legs, Toes, and Feet Soles: Look at the backs of your legs and feet, as well as the spaces between your toes, toenails, and the soles of your feet.

4. Examine Your Neck and Scalp: Use a hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck and scalp. Part your hair to look more closely at your scalp.

5. Review Your Back and Buttocks: With the hand mirror, examine your back and buttocks for any unusual marks or spots.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be harder to detect because there are no widely recommended screening tests for the general public. However, the Mouth Cancer Foundation emphasizes that regular self-exams could save lives by catching warning signs early. It’s advisable to do a monthly check if you’re over 16 years old. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

- Lips: Use your fingers to pull your upper lip up and your bottom lip down, checking inside for sores or color changes. Feel around for any lumps or changes in texture.

- Gums: Gently use your fingers to feel both the inside and outside of your gums.

- Cheeks: Open your mouth and pull each cheek out one at a time, inspecting for red or white patches or any tenderness.

- Tongue: Pull your tongue out gently and check each side for ulcers or swelling. Lift your tongue to examine its underside.

- Mouth Floor: Look under your tongue and press along the floor of your mouth to feel for lumps or swelling. Check the roof of your mouth as well.

Breast Self-Exam

Breast self-exams can help detect changes in breast tissue that may indicate early signs of breast cancer. Here’s how to perform both visual and manual exams:

1. Visual Exam: Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips. Check your breasts for any changes in size, shape, or skin texture. Lift your arms above your head and repeat.

2. Manual Exam while Standing: Use your right hand to examine your left breast, pressing firmly in circular motions across all areas, including the underarm.

3. Manual Exam Lying Down: Lie on your back, place a pillow under your shoulder, and use your opposite hand to feel each breast.

Testicular Self-Exam

Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers among young men. A quick self-exam, especially during or after a warm shower, can help detect lumps or unusual textures early. Here’s how:

1. Gently roll each testicle between your fingers, feeling for lumps or changes in size.

2. Pay attention to lumps, swelling, or soreness. A painless mass or a feeling of heaviness can be early signs.

If you notice any suspicious changes during a self-exam, consult your doctor. A change doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, but early detection is key to effective treatment, and follow-up tests can provide clarity and peace of mind. These self-checks, alongside routine screenings, can play a vital role in safeguarding your health.

Did you know that among the 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease, nearly two-thirds are women? This means women are almost twice as likely as men to develop the condition. While longer life expectancy partly explains the difference, research shows that hormonal changes after menopause, genetic factors, and certain lifestyle patterns also increase risk.

As a result, understanding the early warning signs and taking preventive steps is especially important for women, who face a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s as they age.

Women and Alzheimer’s: Why The Risk Is Higher

Dr. Brij Lal Choudhary, Consultant Neurologist at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, points out that Alzheimer’s is often seen as a condition of old age, but women are disproportionately affected. Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women, making it almost twice as common in women compared to men. While longer life expectancy plays a role, other factors, such as hormonal changes after menopause, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle patterns also increase risk.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Women Should Watch

Memory loss: Forgetting recent events, appointments, or familiar names, with lapses gradually worsening.

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• Difficulty managing tasks or problem-solving: Struggling with daily responsibilities, finances, or planning may indicate cognitive changes.
• Confusion: Feeling disoriented over simple or familiar activities.
• Mood or personality changes: Sudden anxiety, frequent irritability, or withdrawing from social life.
• Language difficulties: Trouble finding the right words or expressing thoughts clearly.

Increased Risk of Alzheimer's in WomenStudies consistently show that women are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to men. For instance, a Swedish study involving 16,926 participants found that, starting around age 80, women were more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's than men of the same age. Similarly, research in Taiwan indicated that over a seven-year period, women had a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer's compared to men. A European meta-analysis revealed that approximately 13 women out of 1,000 developed Alzheimer's each year, compared to only seven men, as per Harvard Health Publishing.

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While the longer life expectancy of women contributes to this disparity, it doesn't fully explain the difference. Even among individuals of the same age, women are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's than men. This suggests that factors beyond longevity, such as hormonal changes, genetic predispositions, and immune system differences, may play significant roles in the increased risk for women.

How to Reduce Risk and Protect Cognitive HealthAlthough Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed, several steps can help lower risk and support brain health:

• Regular cognitive screenings to monitor changes over time.
• Mental stimulation through reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.
• Physical exercise to improve blood flow and overall health.
• Managing blood pressure and blood sugar to reduce vascular-related risks.

We all experience occasional forgetfulness or feel a bit scatterbrained from time to time, often attributing it to stress, a busy lifestyle, or simply getting older. However, repeated lapses in memory, confusion, or difficulty performing everyday tasks can sometimes signal the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Recognising these warning signs early is crucial, as timely awareness and intervention can help manage the condition more effectively and improve quality of life.

As we observe World Alzheimer’s Day 2025, it’s the perfect moment to learn about Alzheimer’s, understand its early indicators, and know what experts recommend paying attention to.

What Is Alzheimer’s?

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For most people, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s, according to the National Institute on Aging. Current estimates indicate that over 6 million Americans aged 65 and older may be living with Alzheimer’s. Age remains the greatest known risk factor, and with the population aging, the number of cases is expected to rise.

Stages of Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s disease progresses gradually, with symptoms worsening over time. It is generally divided into three stages: early (mild), middle (moderate), and late (severe). In the early stage, memory lapses and confusion begin to interfere with daily life. During the middle stage, challenges with language, reasoning, and daily activities become more pronounced. In the late stage, individuals may lose the ability to communicate, require full-time care, and become highly dependent on others. Understanding the stages helps families and caregivers plan support and interventions more effectively.

Alzheimer’s vs Dementia

Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

• Persistent Memory Loss: Forgetting recent conversations, events, or important dates more often than usual, affecting daily life.
• Difficulty in Planning or Problem-Solving: Challenges with tasks like handling finances, following recipes, or keeping track of everyday responsibilities.
• Impairment of Spatial Memory: Forgetting familiar routes or even one’s way back home.
• Changes in Mood or Personality: Increased irritability, withdrawal from social activities, or unexpected anxiety and depression.

Blood pressure monitoring plays a key role in managing hypertension. For patients whose numbers are well controlled through lifestyle changes or medication, the question often arises: how often should they be checking at home? While regular monitoring helps track progress and detect changes early, checking too frequently can increase stress or lead to unnecessary worry. On the other hand, checking too infrequently may delay important adjustments in treatment. Below, we take a look at how much frequency is important to check your blood pressure.

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring: How Often To Track Your Readings

When you have controlled hypertension, checking your readings at home with a validated monitor is important but doing it properly matters just as much. The CDC and American Heart Association recommend measuring at the same times each day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. Take at least two readings, spaced 1-2 minutes apart, then average them.

Avoid caffeine, smoking, or exercise in the 30 minutes before taking a reading. Sit quietly for five minutes beforehand, keep your back supported, feet flat on the floor, arm at heart level, cuff on bare skin, and don’t talk during the measurement.

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How many times per week? For people with stable, well-controlled blood pressure, checking 3 to 4 times per week may be sufficient. If just starting home monitoring or adjusting treatment, doctors may ask for readings over a week (3-7 days) to get a clear picture.

What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a method doctors use to track and understand high blood pressure over an entire day. Hypertension is diagnosed when the upper reading (systolic) is 130 mmHg or higher, or the lower reading (diastolic) is 80 mmHg or higher.

Unlike the usual check-up at a clinic, where a doctor measures your blood pressure once or twice with a cuff, ABPM gives a more complete picture. For this test, you wear a cuff on your arm that’s connected to a small device strapped to your waist or shoulder. The device automatically takes your blood pressure at regular intervals, every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and about once an hour at night, while you carry on with your normal activities, including sleep.

By the end of 24 hours, your doctor has dozens of readings instead of just one or two. This allows them to see your average blood pressure, how it changes throughout the day and night, and whether there are any unusual patterns. The device also records your heart rate, which adds more detail to the overall assessment.

Why Monitoring Matters Even When Blood Pressure Is Controlled?

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Tracking your blood pressure helps detect these patterns early, allowing timely adjustments in treatment and preventing long-term complications such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage. According to the American Heart Association, even small, consistent changes in readings over time can provide critical insights for maintaining cardiovascular health.