The Times Network India Health Summit & Awards 2025 hosted a moving session on “Breast Cancer and Beyond: Stories of Strength, Science and Survival.” The conversation brought together actress and breast cancer survivor Chhavi Mittal and Dr. Sumant Gupta, Senior Consultant & Head of Medical Oncology, Hematology, BMT & Director at Metro Cancer Institute, and moderator Pooja Jain, Special Correspondent, Times Network.

Chhavi Mittal's Journey of Taking Charge

Chhavi Mittal opened the session with a candid reflection on her cancer journey. She shared that the first step was not immediate resilience, but acceptance. “Initially, I thought there must be a mistake. Maybe my lifestyle or diet had gone wrong, and if I corrected it, it would go away. But the moment I accepted the diagnosis, I could begin asking the right questions and take charge of my recovery,” she said.

She described herself today as “Chhavi 2.0, a stronger version of myself,” and stressed that every cancer journey is unique. “No two cancers are the same, and no two patients’ reasons are the same. What mattered for me was focusing on lifestyle, routine, and the steps I could control.”

Recurrence, Fear and Moving Forward After Fighting Cancer

Addressing one of the most pressing concerns, "recurrence," Dr. Sumant Gupta explained that about 10–15% of breast cancer patients face the risk of the disease returning. “The first five years are the most critical. After that, the chances reduce significantly, almost to the level of the general population,” he said. But for patients, he noted, living with the fear of recurrence is often harder than the treatment itself. “What helps is a combination of medical vigilance and lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Science today has evolved to preserve not just survival, but also the quality of life.”

Chhavi echoed this sentiment, adding that fear should not overshadow living. “I was fit, disciplined with my diet, I breastfed both my babies, and still, I got cancer. If it recurs, it recurs. I choose not to live under the weight of ‘what if.’ Faith has to be stronger than fear,” she said.

The Role of Caregivers

The discussion also highlighted the silent strength of caregivers. Chhavi shared how her husband supported her journey by giving her space to heal, physically and emotionally. “Sometimes the biggest strength is just allowing your partner to walk their own path and being there quietly,” she said. Dr. Gupta added, “Cancer does not happen to one person alone—it happens to the whole family. Caregivers play an equally important role, from ensuring treatments are followed to supporting the patient’s mental health.”

Shifts in Cancer Treatment

Dr. Gupta explained how oncology has transformed over the decades. “Earlier, treatments were aggressive and destructive. Today, we focus on conservation and holistic care. Surgeries are less invasive, chemotherapy side effects like nausea and hair loss are managed far better, and innovations like scalp cooling and precision drugs have changed patient experience,” he said. He underlined that the focus has shifted from just survival to quality of life, ensuring that patients emerge from treatment with dignity and confidence intact.

A Survivor’s Perspective

Closing the session, Chhavi left the audience with a powerful message. “Breast cancer was the best thing that happened to me. It jolted me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to grow. At one point I stopped comparing myself to who I was before cancer. I began taking one day at a time, and that changed everything. Today, I stand stronger, not in spite of cancer, but because of it.”

At a recent Times Network Health Summit, a panel of experts explored the mental health challenges facing India’s youth. With increasing pressures from academics, social media, and career expectations, young people are struggling with stress, anxiety, and emotional instability. To have a deeper conversation on this Panelists Major General Vikram Dev Dogra, Dr. Praveen Gupta, Neurologist, and Actor and Wellness Entrepreneur Pooja Bedi, along with our moderator Kalpana Sharma shared insights and practical strategies for coping in an increasingly demanding world.

The Generation of Overload

Major General Vikram Dev Dogra reflected on the differences between his generation and today’s youth. “Today, young people have access to more information, more opportunities, and more distractions,” he said. While this opens doors, it also brings challenges like mental stress, anxiety, and identity struggles. Constant screen time and social media pressure make balance rare, while decision-making and comparison often fuel stress.

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

Dr Praveen Gupta emphasized that mental health challenges differ from mental illnesses. While mental health struggles affect many young people, clinical conditions require professional care. He noted that stigma and denial often prevent timely intervention, even among educated individuals. He said, "Open dialogue and early awareness are key to preventing crises and promoting long-term well-being."

Building Inner Connections

Panelists talked about the importance of building deep, meaningful connections. Pooja Bedi explained, “Small connections are good, but inner connections, spending time with friends, joining health camps, or even regular meetups, strengthen your mental health network.” These connections improve resilience and emotional adaptability, sometimes adding years to life.

Hobbies, Exercise, and Resilience For Mental Wellness

Developing hobbies and maintaining routines were identified as crucial tools for mental wellness. “When we grow older, routines can become monotonous. Hobbies give your mind something to look forward to daily,” Bedi said. Physical exercise was described as the single most important tool for brain health. Just 50 minutes of activity a day can improve blood flow, enhance cognitive function, and protect against conditions like dementia. Combined with hobbies and social connections, this creates a strong foundation for mental resilience.

Positivity as a Choice

Happiness, the panel emphasized, is a conscious choice. “Positivity is a mindset,” Bedi explained. “Every day, you choose whether to be happy or not. Spreading positivity starts with personal choice.” She also introduced her initiative, Happy Soul, which offers courses, meditations, and practical tools to enhance mental wellness. Interested individuals can visit poojabedi.com for upcoming sessions focused on meditation, manifestation, and personal growth.

The Role of Awareness and Action For Mental Health

The discussion concluded with a reminder that mental health challenges require both awareness and action. Limiting technology, encouraging open dialogue, growing hobbies, exercising, and making genuine social connections are all practical ways to maintain emotional balance. As Dr. Praveen Gupta noted, the key lies in early detection, honest conversations, and building resilience to adapt to life’s changes.

Today at Times Network India Health Summit and Awards 2025, a special panel discussion focused on “Battling Dengue in India: Crisis, Control & the Promise of a Vaccination”. The panel brought together three experts: Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic, Senior Consultant Paediatrician & Nephrologist, Padma Shri awardee, Dr. K. Madan Gopal, Advisor and Head of Public Health Administration, National Health Systems Resource Centre and Dr Atul Kakar, Chairperson of the department of Internal medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Together, they shared insights on how India can fight the growing dengue crisis.

Dengue Testing And Underreporting

Dr. Sanjeev Bagai began by explaining the challenges of testing. He noted that the NS1 antigen test, one of the most common diagnostic tools, does not turn positive until the end of the first day of infection. This often leads to false negatives if testing is done too early, adding to underreporting. He further talked about how many rural cases are never tested or are simply classified as “viral fever,” further skewing national numbers.

From a Seasonal Illness To A Perennial Problem

Dr. Madan Gopal stressed that dengue can no longer be considered a post-monsoon illness alone. “Over the decades, it has evolved from being a seasonal problem to becoming a perennial health threat,” he said, highlighting factors like rapid urbanisation, water stagnation, waste management failures, and climate change. “We need civic, community, and government surveillance working hand in hand to prevent mosquito breeding and control outbreaks,” he added.

Recognising The Dengue Symptoms

Dr Atul Kakar agreed that public awareness of warning symptoms is critical. Severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, back pain, and high-grade fevers should alert both patients and healthcare providers. Dr. Bagai explained that the infection passes through four phases, acute febrile, critical, plateau, and recovery. Importantly, he warned that a fall in fever does not signal recovery. Dr Bagai told us, “Instead, this is often when platelet counts dip, and complications can arise.”

Managing the Patient Burden

On hospital preparedness, Dr. Madan Gopal underlined that 70–80% of dengue cases can be managed at home with proper hydration and monitoring. He emphasised building capacity in both public and private healthcare sectors to identify warning signs early and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions that overwhelm facilities.

Dangers of Self-Medication During Dengue

Dr. Bagai strongly cautioned against relying on home remedies or inappropriate drugs. “Yoga, papaya leaf juice, or herbal concoctions do not cure dengue,” he said. He also warned against taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or antibiotics, as these can worsen bleeding risks and damage the liver or kidneys. The only safe medicine for managing fever, he stressed, is paracetamol along with adequate fluids.

Long Dengue

A critical takeaway from Dr. Bagai was that dengue does not end with the fever. He pointed to new research showing long-term complications, including higher risks of cardiac issues, autoimmune conditions, kidney damage, and neurological problems—sometimes lasting for months after infection. This “long dengue syndrome,” he said, is an emerging challenge that must be factored into health planning.

Dengue Vaccine

When asked about the future of a dengue vaccine, Dr Bagai was cautious. He explained that while early vaccine trials have taken place, the long-term efficacy is poor, with protection falling sharply after four to five years. “Some vaccines work only in the early stages of infection and fail against later serotypes. Others carry the risk of worsening the disease due to the body’s unpredictable immune response,” he said.

Dr Bagai added that dengue’s overlap with other viral exposures, including influenza, COVID-19, and Zika, complicates vaccine development. “The worst thing you can do is give a vaccine that ends up triggering a more severe infection. Some global studies have shown exactly that an increase in hospitalisations among vaccinated individuals,” he warned.

Instead of banking on a vaccine anytime soon, Dr. Bagai stressed that prevention must remain the priority. “The safest and most effective protection is to keep mosquitoes out of your homes, manage water storage, and prevent breeding grounds. Vaccines for dengue are still a far, far distance away,” he said.

Dr. K. Madan Gopal agreed that while research continues, community action, civic surveillance, and strong preventive measures remain India’s best defence in the near term.

The panel concluded that India’s fight against dengue requires:

• Early testing and accurate diagnosis to reduce underreporting.
• Mass public awareness campaigns on prevention and warning signs.
• Stronger civic action to control mosquito breeding.
• Responsible treatment with hydration, paracetamol, and medical supervision.
• Focus on vaccination research, given the presence of four dengue serotypes and risks of repeat infections.

Dr. Bagai summed it up: “Dengue is not just a seasonal fever anymore. It is a national health crisis that demands prevention, awareness, and scientific management, not myths or shortcuts.”

The partners of the Times Network India Health Summit are:

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Co-powered by- Novartis and All out

knowledge partner- MGR University

Supporting partner- FIT INDIA

Strategic alliance partner- OneXtel

Wealth Partner- Nuvama

Outdoor partner- Heights

A surprising number of people in the UK are giving more attention to their cars than to their own health, even though heart disease is the biggest threat to life in the country.

New research revealed that for many, booking a car in for its mandatory annual check-up (the MOT) is a routine priority. Yet, when it comes to vital check-ups for their own health, like a simple cholesterol test, a lot of people fall short. This is particularly worrying because heart disease remains the single leading cause of death in the UK.

The research suggests that we take the warning lights on a car dashboard more seriously than the potential warning signs—or the need for preventative checks—in our own bodies, putting comfort and convenience ahead of potentially life-saving health screenings.

Ignoring Warning Health Signs

The survey, commissioned by supplement brand Healthspan showed a startling gap between how Britons treat their vehicles and their health.

• Nearly two-thirds (66%) of people aged 35 to 54 faithfully book their cars in for an annual MOT (a yearly safety and emissions check).
• However, fewer than half of the same group have had their cholesterol checked in the last five years.
• Overall, almost half of the 2,000 people surveyed admitted they have never had their cholesterol checked at all.

Experts pointed out that people wouldn't ignore a flashing warning light on their car's dashboard, yet they often ignore the warning signs from their own bodies. He stressed that midlife is the most important time for checks on blood pressure and cholesterol, even for those who feel perfectly fine.

What Health Concerns Matter More To People?

The survey revealed that people's worries often focus more on appearance and immediate concerns than on serious health risks like heart disease.

• Women's top worries included wrinkles and weight gain around the middle, ranking higher than heart health.
• Men's primary concerns were erectile dysfunction and having a "beer belly," which they worried about more than heart disease.
• Surprisingly, one in five Britons admitted that loneliness worried them more than being ill.

Why Does Cholesterol Matter?

Cholesterol is often called the "silent killer." While it's necessary for things like hormones and cell membranes, too much of the "bad" LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries. This dangerous build-up significantly increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The shocking truth is that you can be slim, active, and appear healthy, but still have high cholesterol. A nutritionist involved with the study was diagnosed with high cholesterol this year despite being fit and health-conscious.

One cannot assume they’re fine just because they look healthy. Knowing your numbers matters.

So, what is the solution for it? Managing cholesterol isn't just about cutting things out of your diet; it's about adding things in. Foods like oats, beans, nuts, olive oil, and plant sterols can actively help lower your cholesterol levels.

What Test Do You Need To Know Cholesterol Numbers?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a cholesterol test, also called a screening, is a very simple blood test that checks the different types of fat, or lipids, in your blood. It gives your doctor a complete picture of your heart health risk.

LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol

Too much LDL can cause a sticky substance called plaque to build up inside your arteries, making them narrow. This buildup greatly increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

HDL ("Good") Cholesterol

HDL actually helps your body get rid of the bad cholesterol. Having higher levels of HDL is protective and helps lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Triglycerides

This is a type of fat your body uses for energy. High levels of triglycerides, especially when combined with low "good" HDL or high "bad" LDL, can also increase your risk for a heart attack and stroke.

Total Cholesterol

This is simply the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. This number is a summary of all the fats in your blood, calculated from your HDL, LDL, and triglyceride results.