Every year in October, we observe breast cancer awareness month and for the longest, to me, it was just an important health month to spread awareness about it. However, things changed for me, and it changed twice.

"It Is Just A Lump"

The first time my life changed was back in June 2018, when my mother, a resident of Delhi, Dilshad Garden to be specific, 48 years old, discovered a lump in the left side of her chest. This is when I was just about to start my bachelor's from the University of Delhi. As excited as I was to live the university life, there was a lingering anxiety.

My mother, while resting one day, felt something on her chest. She tried to feel it, but could not. No one teaches women to touch themselves. It is still a taboo, and remains so when campaigns around breast cancers call breasts everything else, but what it really is - breasts!

This was also when my father was not in town, she called him and shared what she just found in her chest. He suggested to go see a gynaecologist. My mother went to someone she trusted, a gynaecologist, even I know of. The doctor asked her to get a breast X-ray, however, it had no clear results.

After a medical examination, the doctor asked her to get a mammography done and suggested that she see a different doctor, but did not tell her who to consult. My mother was confused, "I did not even know it could be something serious, I thought it's just a lump," she said as she narrated the story to me.

"I went to Savita Vihar because there was no imaging lab that had mammography services around our house," my mother told me. However, the mammography results were also not clear. "It was clear that lump existed, but no one was ready to tell me if it was cancerous. Then I was suggested to get a fine needle aspiration (FNA) done," she explained.

As fancy as it sounds, the procedure is not so fancy. FNA is done using a thin needle and syringe to extract fluid from a suspicious area of the body and is then diagnosed to rule out any cancerous condition. "We got this done in Preet Vihar because that was the only nearby place where FNA was performed. When we got the reports, it had numbers, but no one told us what it was. The guy who handed the reports came out with a long sad face. Even though we did not know if it was cancer, his expressions were enough of a hint," she said.

With the reports, my mother and my father went to a family doctor, a general surgeon of a nursing home in Laxmi Nagar, which now remains closed. This was though far from our house; it was close to Preet Vihar, where she had gotten her FNA. The doctor suggested that she get her lump removed. "This is when your dad asked him if he should take me to a hospital to an oncologist because we were doubting if it was cancerous. But the doctor said there was no need and that it would take us ages to get one appointment with a doctor in big hospitals, so we just got it removed. We sent it for biopsy at two different imaging labs," she recalled.

The "C" Word

The reports came out from both the labs, and there it was. My mother had Stage 1 breast cancer, but was not told, till after her first surgery. She then finally went to Max Hospital in Vaishali and consulted an oncologist. "The doctor there said that I would be put on medications, but that would be enough, I was happy that there won't be any surgeries," she said.

However, life had other plans. Her new doctor also suggested that she get her lump sample transferred to Max Hospital from the previous imaging labs for another biopsy. "After the biopsy at Max Hospital, I was told that there were cells which could still be active around the area of my left breast where the lump was found. The doctor said that if we hadn't removed the lump, then they could've performed a comprehensive test around the area on my breast where the lump was detected to see whether cells were multiplying. If they were, they would have taken care of that in just one surgery. However, the only way to know now whether any cells are multiplying is through another surgery," she explained.

This was an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), where a lymph node from her armpit was to be removed and sent for biopsy in the middle of surgery. If it came positive then the nodes would be removed from her armpit, if it came out negative, then the area would be stitched, with just one of the tested samples of lymph nodes removed.

While the tests were negative, which meant no cells were active, this surgery made her weak. She could not lift her left arm and had numbness around her left hand for more than one year.

Cancer Never Truly Goes Away

Even though she was cancer-free, she was now suggested radiation therapy. "It was a difficult time because it was painful and it felt like my body was burning. I smelled like burnt flesh. I would feel really hot even when the AC was on," she said.

She was then prescribed medicines that lowered her estrogen levels. These medicines were called "life-saving drugs" and were prescribed to her for 5 years. I remember getting these medicines every three months from a CGHS-designated medical dispensary, near RK Ashram Marg at subsidised rates because otherwise they were very costly.

The medicines lowered her estrogen levels because estrogen stimulates hormone receptor-positive breast cancers to grow, lowering the estrogen level can help slow the cancer's growth or help prevent it from coming back. However, this did not sit well with her menstrual cycle.

Due to low estrogen levels, her periods became irregular, however, it did not ring any bell because she was anyway nearing her menopausal age. Upon one of the regular checkups, it was found that her uterus which was supposed to be 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick, grew 6 times its original size. "This happened because low levels of estrogen messed up my periods and instead of bleeding out, all the blood was collected inside my uterus. The doctor suggested that I get a uterus cleaning done every month, or get it removed. To me, removal sounded more feasible than to visit the hospital every month," she explained.

After my mother got her uterus removed, she bled uncontrollably and had to be operated again. This led to two abdominal operations on the same day, creating a lump or swelling near the site of the scar. This later led to a hernia, leading to another operation. Meanwhile, she was still on her medications, and it was slowly affecting her memory, she started to forget things.

Sometimes I would come back from college in the afternoon and she would open the door and go back to sleep and would forget in the evening that I was home. She would wake up in shock seeing me at home, asking when I came. It was a difficult time. I had never seen my mother like this. She was always smart and had the best memory. She was like our Google map before it was even a thing. Now she could not remember if her daughter was back home.

These medicines had other side effects too, like weak bones, lack of calcium, high blood pressure and other hormonal imbalances. Due to her hernia, her spermatic veins also swelled and caused varicose veins.

However, like any other phase, this too had to pass and it did. After 5 years of continuous pain, weaknesses, surgeries, and all of us trying to be there for her, in April 2023, after all her tests were done, she was finally off her "life-saving drugs". She will soon turn 55, and is living her life, travelling between India and Japan, with the three kids she loves the most, which includes not my sister and I, but a rabbit, and two Indies that our family adopted!

The Second Time My Life Changed

Hearing her narrate her story changed my life because, before today, I did not know that she was misled till she had her first surgery. I did not know that the stigma around breast cancer was so strong that not only did people not mention it, but medical professionals too did not guide her. Maybe there would have been one less surgery or maybe her hand wouldn't have gone numb for one whole year had she been guided and her diagnosis been done right.

Touch Yourself!

One thing she told my sister and me is what she learned from her radiologist at Max Hospital. "When she asked me how I got to know about the lump, I told her I just randomly noticed one day. She asked me, 'Randomly? Do you not check yourself?' I told her that nobody checks themselves, women are not taught to do it. How will they know they have breast cancer? There should be more awareness and people should come out to talk about it."

This is not a remote area where people are not aware. This is the capital city. Still, due to a lack of awareness, there was a delay and ambiguity that guided my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. This is why, breast cancer awareness month for me, is the utmost important period to spread awareness.

To All The Women:

Her radiologist's advice was: If you are a menstruator, check your breasts and armpits for any lumps on every 3rd day of your period.

If you have hit your menopause, then select any date of a month and check your breasts on that date every month.

We have all had that mini meltdown finding a clump of hair in the shower drain or a brush full of hair after combing hair. While blaming stress or the changing seasons feels comforting, experts warn that your body might be sounding a nutritional alarm. Yes, your hair loss might be less about the weather and more about what is missing from your plate.

Listen to What Your Body’s Saying

“Seeing a lot of hair strands on your pillow cover feels distressing,” says Dr Khushboo Jha, MBBS, MD, Chief Dermatologist Consultant at Metro Hospital and Founder of One Skin Clinic, Faridabad, “but you need to listen to your body. It’s the way it communicates that your body is struggling with some deeper concern, probably nutrient deficiency.”

Hair, it turns out, is a high-maintenance tissue. It’s fast-growing and metabolically active, demanding a steady supply of nutrients. But it’s not considered essential for survival. So in times of nutritional crisis, your body reroutes vitamins and minerals to more important organs like your heart or brain, leaving your hair stranded without support.

“If your diet is insufficient, especially lagging in iron, vitamin D, Vitamin B complex such as vitamin B12 and biotin, zinc, protein, etc., hair will be the first one to suffer,” says Dr Jha.

Why Vegans, Crash Dieters, and IBS Patients Should Pay Extra Attention

Dr Ameesha Mahajan, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Founder of Eden Skin Clinic, agrees. “Vegetarians or vegans are more prone to deficiencies, especially when it comes to vitamin B12, iron and protein deficiency,” she says. And it’s not just about what you eat, but also how well your body absorbs it. “Impaired gut absorption disorders such as coeliac disease or IBD… can lead to extreme hair thinning,” Dr Mahajan adds.

Crash diets and eating disorders like bulimia nervosa don’t do your strands any favours either. These behaviours disrupt the body’s nutritional balance and can prematurely push hair into the shedding phase.

The Medical Jargon You Didn’t Know You Needed: Telogen Effluvium

One particular fallout of nutrient shortfalls is telogen effluvium, a name for hair falling out sooner than it should. Dr Mahajan points to iron deficiency anaemia as a common trigger. “It is strongly associated with telogen effluvium, a condition where hair prematurely enters the shedding phase,” she explains.

In other words, if you’ve been feeling unusually tired and your hair is thinning, it might be more than a coincidence; it could be low iron or another nutrient throwing your hair growth cycle off track.

Don’t Pop Just Any Pill

Before you go on a supplement shopping spree, both experts urge caution. “Before self-prescribing supplements, experts urge a full nutritional workup to identify what’s missing,” says Dr Jha. Overloading on certain vitamins can do more harm than good.

Dr Mahajan agrees. “It’s best to get blood parameters checked for any nutrient deficiencies before beginning any supplement to be sure.”

So yes, multivitamins are tempting but flying blind could backfire. Know what you’re low on before topping up.

Eat for Your Hair: What to Load on Your Plate

Both dermatologists suggest nourishing your scalp from within. Dr Jha recommends “a diet loaded with whole grains, legumes, millets, dairy products, nuts, seeds, etc.,” noting these support not only hair health but also overall wellbeing.

Dr Mahajan says that these foods “help to restore the lost nutrients, making the hair denser and thicker.” Think of them as edible armour for your follicles.

Still Losing Hair? Time to Dig Deeper

If your hair continues to vanish despite eating all the right things, don’t ignore it. “If still you face symptoms, consult a dermatologist for ruling out hormonal or other health conditions,” advises Dr Jha.

Dr Mahajan adds, “If you still suffer from hair fall, despite making changes in your diet, it’s time to consult a dermatologist, as it might be due to some hormonal disruption or any other autoimmune-related cause.” Because sometimes, hair loss isn’t just about what’s missing but what’s going wrong beneath the surface.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and while technology has evolved to the point where predicting heart attacks is possible, the medical world still struggles to put this into practice. Experts point to both promise and pitfalls in predictive cardiology, revealing why such life-saving tech is not yet a mainstream reality.

The Tech Is Here, But We Are Not Using It Enough

Dr. Vikrant B. Khese, Cardiologist at Jehangir Hospital, Pune, says the idea that we can predict heart attacks before they happen is both “exciting and frustrating, because while the technology exists, its real-world implementation remains limited.”

He explains that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have incredible potential in this field. These tools can analyse vast datasets, such as blood pressure, lipid profiles, ECGs, imaging, and even genetic markers, to uncover patterns that might be invisible to the human eye. “These tools can detect subtle risk factors that may be missed in routine clinical practice. However, several challenges continue to hold us back,” he says.

One of the biggest concerns is the source of the data feeding these algorithms. “The majority of AI models are trained on Western datasets that do not reflect the unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors of Indian or Asian populations. This creates a mismatch, resulting in lower accuracy and reliability for non-Western patients.”

Dr. Khese adds that cardiovascular disease is deeply multifactorial. It is not just about clinical metrics. “Stress, socioeconomic status, cultural diet patterns, air pollution, and unstructured physical activity all influence risk but are difficult to quantify in a dataset. AI still struggles with these intangible but crucial variables.”

And even when predictive tools are developed, another hurdle lies in the healthcare system’s ability to use them. “Data-driven predictions can only be as good as the data input. In India, inconsistent electronic medical records, underreporting, and fragmented healthcare systems make it harder to gather high-quality longitudinal data, limiting the AI's learning potential.”

Crucially, there is also a behavioural gap. “Even when prediction tools exist, they are not routinely used by clinicians due to scepticism, lack of training, or workflow disruption. Bridging the gap between innovation and implementation is a major hurdle.”

According to Dr. Khese, technology must complement clinical judgement, not replace it. “AI is a powerful tool but not a standalone solution. Until we combine high-quality, representative data with clinical wisdom and system-level integration, the promise of predicting heart attacks before they happen will remain underutilised. The future lies in synergy; technology must empower doctors, not replace them.”

Prediction Tools Exist—But We’re Waiting for Symptoms

Dr. Vijay D'Silva, Medical Director of White Lotus International Hospital and Clinical Advisor and Mentor of Heartnet India, backs this view and draws attention to major international trials. “Research from the University of Oxford has suggested that a global trial of an AI tool that can predict the 10-year risk of heart attack has shown that in about 45 per cent of patients with chest pain, treatment could be improved,” he shares.

“Early detection of cardiac risk allows timely treatment and monitoring that can help reduce the mortality rate,” he says, explaining that most coronary blockages are asymptomatic. “Some present with chest, arm or jaw pain on exertion (angina pectoris). Few present as a heart attack or sudden death. People seek treatment after a heart attack when the damage is already done.”

According to Dr. D’silva, “With the help of the right tools, it is now possible to predict a heart attack before it occurs.” Among these tools are blood tests, ECGs, and advanced risk calculators such as the AHA PREVENT calculator, ASCVD Risk Calculator Plus, QRISK3, and SCORE2.

He points out how the 2023 AHA PREVENT calculator estimates 10-year cardiovascular risk in individuals aged 30 to 79, and 30-year risk in adults aged 30 to 59. “Early-stage detection of CVD minimises the cost and also reduces the CVD mortality rate,” he says.

This tool divides patients into four risk categories, each with its own treatment strategy:

• Low risk (<5%): Maintain healthy lifestyles and reassess every five years.
• Borderline risk (5–7.4%): Lifestyle changes and monitoring of risk-enhancing factors like BP, sugar, weight and lipids. CAC scoring can further stratify risk. Annual reassessment recommended.
• Intermediate risk (7.5–19.9%): Calls for lifestyle management, preventive medication (statins or aspirin), stress testing and CT coronary angiogram. Yearly reassessment is needed.
• High risk (≥20%): Requires intensive lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, imaging and close follow-up.

Despite these advances, Dr D'Silva says, “The gap lies in implementation. Most people still wait for the symptoms to appear before seeing a doctor. Heart attacks, unfortunately, strike without any warning, especially in women and younger patients, where symptoms can be atypical.”

He stresses that predictive cardiology is not yet standard in clinical practice. “People who are at risk seek care when symptoms arise. But in cardiology, symptoms often come too late. Up to 50 per cent of heart attack victims had no prior warning signs.”

Why Risk Calculators Are NotFoolproof

• Patients with LDL cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL
• Those with familial hypercholesterolemia
• Patients with type 1 diabetes
• People with other risk-enhancing factors like family history of early cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory diseases (psoriasis, RA, lupus), or early menopause

The Way Forward

Dr. D'silva concludes, “The ability to predict heart attacks is advancing continuously, but we need public awareness and equitable access to make predictive cardiology more standard.”

In short, we can predict heart att but until we normalise risk screening, improve data systems, and bridge the clinical gap, too many heart attacks will continue to catch people and systems off guard.

When strands clog your shower drain or your brush looks full every time you run it through your hair, panic is a natural response. Hair loss, or alopecia, is not just a cosmetic concern; it often hints at something deeper. And yet, thanks to internet half-truths and old wives’ tales, myths about alopecia spread faster than a viral meme. On World Alopecia Day, we turn to experts to separate fact from fiction while spotlighting the hidden medical conditions that might be behind the hair fall.

It is Not Just "Shedding Season": Medical Reasons Behind Hair Loss

Autoimmune Disorders (Alopecia Areata):

Hormonal Imbalances (Thyroid Disorders and PCOS):

Nutritional Deficiencies:

The good news? “Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions can help restore hair growth and prevent permanent damage,” he assures.

Wigging Out Over Myths

Myth 1: “Only men experience alopecia.”

“While male pattern baldness is more commonly discussed, women are equally susceptible to alopecia due to hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, and nutritional deficiencies,” says Dr Gangurde. Yes, ladies lose hair too and not just from brushing too hard.

Myth 2: “Stress alone is responsible for hair loss.”

While stress is definitely not good for your scalp’s health, it is not the lone cause. “Alopecia usually has multiple triggers, including genetics, autoimmune conditions, and underlying medical issues,” explains Dr Gangurde. Translation: stressing about stress causing hair fall might make things worse.

Myth 3: “Alopecia is always permanent and untreatable.”

This one might be the most damaging myth of all. “Many forms of hair loss, especially those caused by hormonal or nutritional factors, are reversible with timely medical intervention,” says Dr Gangurde. PRP therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes can all turn things around if you act early enough.

Do Not Just Shed Tears, Seek Help

If your hair has been thinning or falling out in clumps, resist the urge to DIY it with oils, serums, or social media hacks. “If you experience sudden or persistent hair loss, consult a dermatologist or trichologist promptly,” advises Dr Gangurde. “Early intervention can address the root cause, prevent progression, and in many cases, restore healthy hair growth.” Remember that alopecia is not just a surface-level issue. And with the right diagnosis, it is often more fixable than you think.