Name: Cancer Can’t Wait For Peace: Oncologist Dr Varun Goel Shares How War Disrupts Life-Saving Treatment
Uploaded: 2026-04-01T18:40:12+05:30
Duration: 3 min 33 s
Description: Cancer Can’t Wait For Peace: Oncologist Dr Varun Goel Shares How War Disrupts Life-Saving Treatment

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Health and Me

Health Conditions A-Z

Health & Wellness

Nutrition

Fitness

Health News

Ayurveda

Videos

Medicine A-Z

Checkups & Vaccinations

Care & Precautions

Diet & Nutrition

Infant 0 - 1 Year

Toddler 2-4 Years

Kid 5- 8 Years

Pre-Teen 9-12 Years

Checkups & Vaccination

Teen 13 - 19 Years

Parenting

goel-cancer

Cancer

iran war

cancer treatment

oncology

death

Cancer Can’t Wait For Peace: Oncologist Dr Varun Goel Shares How War Disrupts Life-Saving Treatment

cancer can’t wait for peace: oncologist dr varun goel shares how war disrupts life-saving treatment

Flu Vaccine: Why October Is A Good Time To Get Your Family Vaccinated

flu vaccine: why october is a good time to get your family vaccinated

Pope Leo XIV Will Undergo Lung Nodule Surgery: When Does Removal Become Necessary

pope leo xiv will undergo lung nodule surgery: when does removal become necessary

US Health Secretary Wants To Expand Vaccine Injury Reporting: Benefits And Risks Explained

us health secretary wants to expand vaccine injury reporting: benefits and risks explained

What Happens To Your Body When You Fast For Seven Days? A New Study Reveals Surprising Changes

what happens to your body when you fast for seven days? a new study reveals surprising changes

flu vaccine guide

best time to get vaccinated

flu vaccine side effects

flu vaccine

vaccine

When is the best time to get a flu vaccine? Doctors Dr. Bhawna Malik and Dr. Mohit Bhardwaj explain why October is ideal for flu vaccination, who needs it most, the vaccine schedule for children and seniors, annual flu shots, possible side effects, and precautions to protect your family this flu season.

Flu Vaccine Guide: Best Time to Get Vaccinated & Side Effects | Doctors Explain

flu vaccine guide: best time to get vaccinated & side effects | doctors explain

Prostate Cancer Is Rising in India. The Good News: Care Is Getting Smarter

prostate cancer is rising in india. the good news: care is getting smarter

PET-CT in Colon Cancer: When Can It Help?

pet-ct in colon cancer: when can it help?

donald trump

aspirin

aspirin dose

aspirin risks

aspirin side effects

Donald Trump says he takes aspirin daily, but should you? Doctors explain who may need aspirin, the right dose, bleeding risks, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and drug interactions. Learn why aspirin is not a one-size-fits-all medicine and why you should never start daily aspirin without consulting your doctor.

Donald Trump Takes Aspirin Daily: Should You? Doctors Explain Dose, Risks & Side Effects

donald trump takes aspirin daily: should you? doctors explain dose, risks & side effects

'Humanity Can Still Act': Lancet Warns Of 17 Global Health Threats By 2100

from climate change to amr to obesity: 17 global health threats by 2100, lancet warns

Why Two People With the Same Thyroid Cancer Can Need Completely Different Treatments

why two people with the same thyroid cancer can need completely different treatments

Breast Cancer: Know the Risks, Recognise the Signs & Get Checked

breast cancer: know the risks, recognise the signs & get checked

fatty liver

liver

Liver Cirrhosis

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Liver Health

Fatty liver can affect more than just people who drink alcohol or have obesity. Learn how insulin resistance, diet, inactivity and metabolic health can contribute—and why even thin people may be at risk. Doctors explain symptoms, diagnosis, lifestyle changes, weight loss and how fatty liver can potentially be reversed.

Fatty Liver Explained: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Reversal & Who Is at Risk

fatty liver explained: causes, symptoms, treatment, reversal & who is at risk

Decoding Unusual Rabies Symptoms: Why Can Rabies Cause a Fear of Water, Air or Wind?

decoding unusual rabies symptoms: why can rabies cause a fear of water, air or wind?

China Issues Plague Risk Alert After Suspected Death In Russia: Which Countries Are On Guard?

china issues plague risk alert after suspected death in russia: which countries are on guard?

world rabies day

rabies day

rabies day special

rabies

dog bite

India aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030, but major gaps remain in stray dog vaccination, sterilisation, funding, surveillance and public awareness. On World Rabies Day, Dr. Tukral explains why controlling rabies transmission at its source is critical, and what India needs to strengthen to reduce rabies deaths.

Rabies Elimination in India: The Biggest Gaps Explained

rabies elimination in india: the biggest gaps explained

US Woman’s Pancreatic Cancer Spotted On Routine Heart Scan: How It Saved Her Life

Rachel V Thomas

us-womans-pancreatic-cancer-spotted-on-routine-heart-scan-how-it-saved-her-life

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Spotted On Heart Scan

Heart Scan

breast cancer

chemotherapy

A routine heart scan helped doctors detect pancreatic cancer in a 72-year-old US woman before it was too late. Vicky Titcomb, a Cape Cod bookstore owner and great-grandmother, underwent the scan at Mass General Brigham in March 2025, before traveling to New York City to visit her son. Although she felt healthy, the scan revealed an abnormality on her pancreas. Further testing confirmed pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer, CBS News reported. “I felt like my life just switched in that moment,” Titcomb said. “It was a very weird feeling.” Titcomb had undergone treatment for breast cancer in 2012. In 2025, she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer as well as pancreatic cancer. Doctors also found a mass on her ovary, which proved benign after the ovary was removed. <h2>Why Early Detection Matters In Pancreatic Cancer </h2> Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread to other organs. Its five-year overall survival rate is 13%. The American Association for Cancer Research noted in its 2026 Cancer Progress Report that pancreatic cancer survival rates have shown little improvement despite advances in cancer care. Doctors at Mass General Brigham planned chemotherapy and radiation to shrink Titcomb’s pancreatic tumor before surgery. “I was told the size of the (pancreatic) cancer was about the size of a grape. The goal, to me, was trying to make this cancer a raisin,” she said. “That's the way I visualized it.” The plan was to perform a Whipple procedure, a complex operation that removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct. Only about one in five pancreatic cancer patients is eligible for this surgery. Titcomb’s early diagnosis made the operation possible. “If I had not had that scan when I did, the outcome would have been bad,” she said. <h2>Chemotherapy, Radiation And Surgery</h2> Titcomb began chemotherapy in June 2025, receiving eight doses over four months. She then underwent three weeks of radiation and additional chemotherapy. Surgical oncologist Dr. Thomas Clancy said she tolerated the treatment “very well.” The therapy shrank the pancreatic tumor enough for surgery. On November 4, Titcomb underwent surgery to treat her breast cancer. Just over two weeks later, Clancy performed a robotic Whipple procedure to remove the affected part of her pancreas and other structures. The operation was successful, and Titcomb said she was walking that night. She returned home after several days in the hospital. Although she was recovering well, Clancy recommended two more months of chemotherapy because pancreatic cancer can be aggressive. “There was a lot going on,” Titcomb said. “I just tried to cope with the day-to-day.” <h2>No Evidence Of Cancer After Treatment </h2> In March 2026, after further treatment, Clancy told Titcomb she had no evidence of cancer. She will continue to undergo scans every three months. “She’s living her life. I generally tell patients at this point, ‘You’re done with therapy ... you go about your days,’” Clancy said. “The goal is to not be thinking about it all the time.” Titcomb is returning to running her bookstore, which family members helped manage during her treatment. She is also spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, keeping in touch with those who live far away through photos, videos and phone calls.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

us woman’s pancreatic cancer spotted on routine heart scan: how it saved her life

Mississippi Student Deaths Put Kratom Under Scrutiny: How Dangerous Is It?

mississippi-student-deaths-put-kratom-under-scrutiny-how-dangerous-is-it

Mississippi Student Deaths

mississippi

Kratom

7 OH

mitragyna

kratom use

The deaths of two University of Mississippi students whose toxicology reports reportedly detected synthetic kratom-related substances have renewed concerns about the gas-station supplement and calls for a nationwide ban. Kratom is banned in at least eight US states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin. Several others, including Iowa and Idaho, are considering restrictions. <h2> What Happened In Mississippi? </h2>Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, died in separate incidents on September 21. Investigators found packaging associated with kratom-related products, including SMAX Pseudo-DHM, at both locations, according to court documents. A defense attorney for one of two men accused of selling narcotics connected to at least one death told a Mississippi federal court that one student died from the combined effects of multiple substances, including cough syrup, while the other died from inhalation asphyxiation, Action News 5 reported. Court records reportedly showed that both students had mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in their systems. However, the presence of these substances alone does not establish that they caused the deaths. <h2>Kratom Use And Related Health Concerns Are Growing </h2> Kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used for its stimulant and pain-relieving effects, it is now sold in the US as powders, capsules, teas and extracts. US poison centers recorded 3,434 kratom exposure reports in 2025, up from 258 in 2015, according to CDC data. Legislative efforts to restrict kratom have also intensified. An analysis by The Washington Post found that, among roughly 400 related bills considered across states, 108 proposed bans on kratom or related synthetic chemicals, while 258 focused on measures such as age limits, licensing and potency restrictions. <h2>Can Kratom Be Addictive? </h2> Kratom contains alkaloids, primarily mitragynine. At lower doses, it can increase alertness and energy; at higher doses, it can produce sedative and opioid-like effects by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain. Regular use can lead to physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, muscle aches, fatigue and sweating. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says evidence suggests that some people develop substance use disorder after using kratom, although its potential for abuse has not been fully characterized in well-designed human studies. <h2>Why Are Concentrated 7-OH Products Concerning? </h2> 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaf. Some commercial products contain concentrated levels and are sold as tablets, gummies and drink shots. The FDA has warned that these products have not been demonstrated to be safe or effective for any medical use. The American College of Medical Toxicology has highlighted concerns about opioid-like intoxication, respiratory depression, dependence and withdrawal. <h2>Kratom-Related Hospitalizations Are Rising </h2> According to a University of Virginia study, hospitalizations linked solely to kratom rose from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025. Poison centers recorded 901 exposures involving 7-OH between January and June 2026, compared with 593 during all of 2025. Although these figures highlight growing concerns, they do not establish that concentrated 7-OH products caused the increase in kratom-related hospitalizations. Kratom is not an FDA-approved treatment for pain, opioid withdrawal or any other medical condition. Its long-term health effects remain incompletely understood.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

mississippi student deaths put kratom under scrutiny: how dangerous is it?

World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 &amp; Even 15: How Treatment &amp; Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility

Nisha Pandey

world-arthritis-day-arthritis-at-42-62-even-15-how-treatment-rehabilitation-help-patients-regain-mobility

World Arthritis Day - Arthritis At 42, 62 & Even 15: How Treatment & Rehabilitation Help Patients Regain Mobility

World Arthritis Day

Arthritis

knee replacement

Childhood Arthritis

orthopaedics

orthopaedic surgeon

Arthritis rehabilitation

arthritis treatment

Arthritis can affect people at different stages of life, limiting their ability to walk, climb stairs or carry out everyday activities with ease. While treatment largely depends on the extent of joint damage and the patient's condition, treatment approaches ranging from joint-preserving surgery to knee and hip replacement can help restore mobility. Rehabilitation still remains an essential part of recovery. On World Arthritis Day, doctors explain how arthritis is treated and managed at different ages using real-life cases and highlighting how they assess joint damage, choose strategies and use physiotherapy to help patients return to their routines. <h2>Knee Preservation Before Replacement </h2> A 42-year-old man with grade 3 <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-knuckle-cracking-cause-arthritis-article-151074577" data-type="tilCustomLink">osteoarthritis</a> in his right knee had been experiencing pain and locking. His symptoms began after a knee injury six years earlier and worsened with time. X-rays revealed marked varus alignment, cartilage and meniscus damage. Earlier consultations had suggested knee replacement, but given his age, doctors opted for knee preservation surgery. Dr. Tapish Ravindra Shukla, Consultant Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, told HealthandMe that he performed three procedures in a single sitting: high tibial osteotomy to correct alignment and shift weight away from the damaged inner compartment, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) to treat the cartilage defect, and meniscus repair. The patient walked with a walker for approximately three weeks, began jogging at six weeks and was running by three months. The case brings us to an important point, i.e., assessing whether a damaged joint can be preserved, especially in younger patients who may otherwise face joint replacement early in life. Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/arthritis-day-stanford-researchers-explore-possibility-to-treat-osteoarthritis-without-knee-replacement-surgery-article-156323096" data-type="tilCustomLink">Arthritis Day: Stanford Researchers Explore Possibility To Treat Osteoarthritis Without Knee Replacement Surgery</a> <h2>When Hip Replacement Becomes Necessary? </h2> In another case, a patient developed pain in both hips after recovering from a major head injury. During prolonged rehabilitation, he had received steroids and anti-epileptic medication for an extended period. He was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis, a condition in which compromised blood supply damages bone and can lead to joint destruction. Initially, doctors performed core decompression to relieve pressure within the affected bone and attempt to preserve the joints. The patient experienced relief and continued his routine activities for nearly two years. However, following a minor slip and fall, the pain returned. Further evaluation and X-rays showed significant progression of arthritis, prompting a recommendation for total <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/is-your-back-causing-you-knee-pain-article-151212786" data-type="tilCustomLink">hip replacement</a>. Dr. P Keerthivasan, Senior Consultant and Spine Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai, explained to us the importance of understanding the condition, accepting when treatment needs to change and planning for recovery. Following hip replacement, the patient began mobilising the next day and progressed well during the immediate recovery period. The case illustrates that joint-preserving procedures may provide relief in selected patients, but progressive joint damage can make replacement necessary. Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/joint-pain-in-your-30s-and-40s-when-should-you-worry-article-156321171" data-type="tilCustomLink">Joint Pain In Your 30s And 40s: When Should You Worry?</a> <h2>Knee Replacement To Improve Quality Of Life </h2> A 65-year-old woman with osteoarthritis in both knees had severe pain and difficulty walking, climbing stairs and performing daily activities. She had become dependent on painkillers, raising concerns about potential kidney damage with prolonged use. Doctors recommended total <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/a-small-tweak-in-your-daily-walk-can-protect-your-knees-from-osteoarthritis-article-152483574" data-type="tilCustomLink">knee replacement</a>. Dr. Rishabh Tiwari, Consultant (JR), Orthopaedics, and Dr. Vivek Allahbadia, Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery, P.D. Hinduja Hospital &amp; Medical Research Centre, Khar, treated the patient using a minimally invasive technique in which the tendon was lifted rather than cut. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was also preserved. According to the doctors, these approaches can help reduce postoperative pain, limit bone loss and provide a more natural feel to the replaced knee. The patient could lift her leg on the night of surgery. The following day, she was walking with full weight-bearing, bending and straightening her knee, and using the washroom independently. Training to climb stairs began on the second day, and she was discharged that day. At one-and-a-half months, she could perform daily activities without pain and travel independently to nearby friends and relatives. The case stresses upon how surgical technique and early mobilisation can contribute to a patient's return to everyday activities. In another case of knee replacement, a 62-year-old woman with severe osteoarthritis in both knees had spent nearly four years avoiding stairs, temples and long walks with her grandchildren. Pain, stiffness and fear of falling had increasingly restricted her activities. “She stopped joining family outings because I couldn’t keep up,” she told her doctor. Dr. Bhushan Shitole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Director at Vencer Hospital, told us that he recommended robotic-assisted total knee replacement using an imageless robotic system. The technology creates a three-dimensional plan of the joint before surgery and helps the surgeon plan implant positioning according to the patient's anatomy. “Robotic planning lets us match the implant to the patient’s unique anatomy so the first steps after surgery are already better aligned,” Dr. Shitole said. “That first confident walk is often the real turning point.” Following surgery, the patient began walking with minimal support within days. Structured physiotherapy focused on strength, balance and gait training. By the end of the first month, she was moving independently at home. Three months later, she boarded a cruise she had postponed. “The robot didn’t just replace my <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fda-approves-new-drug-for-rare-disorder-that-turns-muscles-into-bone-what-is-fibrodysplasia-ossificans-progressiva-article-156235846" data-type="tilCustomLink">knee</a>. It gave her back the confidence to live the life she wanted,” Dr. Shitole said. The case highlights that recovery involves more than replacing the damaged joint. Regaining balance, strength and confidence is also central to returning to normal activities. <div type="Youtube" id="A3JrkVrx-pM" title="Flu Vaccine Guide: Best Time to Get Vaccinated &amp; Side Effects | Doctors Explain" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A3JrkVrx-pM/mqdefault.jpg"><url><![CDATA[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JrkVrx-pM]]></url></div> <h2>Severe Arthritis In Children </h2> Arthritis and joint destruction are not restricted to older adults. A 15-year-old boy with Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting skeletal development, developed severe arthritis in both hips. Pain and complex hip deformities made walking and everyday activities difficult. Because of his small skeletal anatomy and the complexity of the deformities, doctors opted for staged bilateral hip replacements. The surgical team used CT scans to create a three-dimensional printed model of the pelvis and specialised R.I Hip software to simulate the procedures virtually. This helped them select correct sized implants, plan positioning and anticipate physiological challenges. The two hip replacements were performed three days apart. The boy was able to stand and walk with support the day after each procedure. The treating doctor, Dr. Vaibhav Bagaria, Director, Orthopaedics- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, told us that rehabilitation played a huge role. “A successful joint replacement restores the mechanics of movement, but rehabilitation helps restore the confidence to move. Both are equally important for meaningful recovery, ” he said. Physiotherapy focused on progressive walking, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/mens-health-mastering-stiff-leg-deadlifts-article-151048353" data-type="tilCustomLink">muscle strengthening</a>, balance and functional independence, with the programme tailored to the boy's underlying skeletal condition. The case also highlights the additional considerations involved in treating young patients, including implant longevity and the possibility of revision surgery in the future. Across these cases, treatment ranged from procedures intended to preserve a joint to partial or total replacement of severely damaged joints. The choice depended on the patient's age, the extent of joint destruction, associated conditions and the likelihood of preserving function. Rehabilitation was central to each case. Early mobilisation helped patients use their joints after surgery, while physiotherapy helped with strength, balance, walking and daily independence. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

world arthritis day - arthritis at 42, 62 & even 15: how treatment & rehabilitation help patients regain mobility