Monday Myth Buster | Survivor’s Solitude, Voices of Support MYTH: Once cancer treatment ends, survivors can return to normal life. REALITY: Survivorship can bring lasting challenges—health concerns, workplace barriers, emotional distress, and isolation. The end of treatment doesn't mean the end of support needs. Cancer survivors deserve more than congratulations. They deserve care, understanding, and ongoing support. CALL TO ACTION: Let’s make cancer survivor support programs a priority—in hospitals, workplaces, and communities. Share this post and help amplify survivors’ voices. #MondayMythBuster #CancerSurvivorship #CancerCare #SurvivorSupport

The Rising Burden of Cancer Care in India With 1.56 million new cases and 900,000 deaths annually, cancer remains one of India's most urgent health and economic challenges. Key figures from recent coverage: • 60 people per 1 lakh affected by cancer • ₹7.5 lakh average treatment cost per patient • 70%–80% paid directly out-of-pocket • Hospital markups on non-scheduled drugs reaching up to 700% Proposed 30% trade margin caps aim to curb excessive markups, but experts emphasize that broader pricing policies are needed to address high base costs for essential life-saving therapies. #HealthPolicy #CancerCare #HealthcareIndia #PublicHealth #AffordableCare .

India has already achieved a 21% drop in TB incidence and a 92% treatment coverage rate, outpacing global averages. Joint Squad for Health (JOSH) initiative has been launched. This massive grassroots mobilization under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan unites thousands of MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets to eliminate TB once and for all. The Power of JOSH: 58,000+ youth volunteers activated 55 districts covered in 11 states/UTs in Phase 1 Jointly driven by Health, Youth Affairs, and Defence ministries Together, our youth are leading the charge toward a healthier tomorrow. pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.…

Dairy may actually be preventing certain cancers, rather than causing them.

Cervavac vaccine for HPV-caused cancers is approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), but it is officially licensed and recommended for a multi-dose schedule rather than a single dose. Approved Dosing Schedules for Cervavac: Ages 9 to 14 years: Administered in a 2-dose schedule (at 0 and 6 months). Ages 15 to 26 years: Administered in a 3-dose schedule (at 0, 2, and 6 months). Regulatory Status: DCGI Approval: The official Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) approved by India's regulatory authority specifies either a 2-dose or 3-dose regimen depending on age. While the WHO has broader global guidelines acknowledging single-dose options for certain HPV vaccines, Cervavac itself is formally evaluated and indicated for 2 or 3 doses by the manufacturer (Serum Institute of India) and regulators. WHO Prequalification: WHO prequalification allows the vaccine to be procured globally through UN agencies, and global discussions on single-dose efficacy continue, but standard clinical and national guidelines still mandate completing the full 2-dose or 3-dose course. @chipfoundation

A cancer survivor's journey after completing treatment involves physical healing, emotional adjustment, and establishing a new normal. Phases of Survivorship Extended Survivorship: Begins immediately after treatment ends. Focuses on adjusting to life post-cancer, managing side effects, and attending ongoing medical monitoring. Permanent Survivorship: Continues for the rest of the survivor's life as long-term wellness and periodic screenings take priority.#Cancer #Survivorship #Familysupport @chipfoundation

The recent @TheLancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats ranks obesity as the top cumulative threat to global health through 2100 ranks obesity as No. 1! Cumulative Burden: Obesity (defined as a cluster of high body mass index [BMI], poor diet, and low physical activity) accounts for an estimated 23.1 billion cumulative amenable Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) between 2025 and 2100. Top Tier Threats: The Commission organizes major catastrophic threats in a tiered structure rather than a simple linear list. Obesity leads the major risks alongside other critical forces like low educational attainment (16.1 billion DALYs) and income inequality (13.8 billion DALYs). Comparison: For scale, the cumulative expected burden of obesity far exceeds historical benchmarks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which generated roughly 500 million DALYs. Other Major Risks: The list of 15 major catastrophic threats also includes antimicrobial resistance, air pollution, climate change, poor mental health, and smoking. @chipfoundation thelancet.com/journals/lance…

DYK: 1 in 8 cancers are infection-related. Vaccinations are available for many infection-related cancers. @sciam - excellent infographic. scientificamerican.com/artic…

Crude (raw) cancer rates misrepresent actual disease risk by heavily favoring states with older populations and superior diagnostic reporting (like Kerala, which lists ~170 cases per lakh). The Gold Standard: When using the Age-Adjusted Incidence Rate (AAIR) to level the demographic playing field, Mizoram emerges as India's true cancer hotspot. Mizoram (Highest Risk): Driven by severe tobacco usage, betel nut consumption, and specific dietary habits, the Aizawl district spikes to an AAIR of 256.1 per lakh for men and 217.2 per lakh for women (a 1-in-5 lifetime risk for men). Kerala (Highest Reporting): Its high raw baseline reflects longevity (an aging population), lifestyle shifts, and advanced medical infrastructure that actively screens, detects, and records cases. Malwa, Punjab: While dealing with a genuine, heavily documented surge in environmentally-linked cancers from pesticide and heavy metal groundwater contamination, its overall age-adjusted rate (~118–125 per lakh) is still surpassed by major metropolitan areas and the Northeast jamanetwork.com/journals/jam…

Cancer survivors appreciate the support from families and friends. They heal faster and avoid depression.

As they say, a well-begun task is half done. @Priya1111 The momentum has to be maintained and the vaccine should be included in the UIP.

3/3. Drug repurposing is promising because these drugs already have safety data, but clinical trials have to show whether any of this works in patients.

2/3. Separately, older mouse studies suggest sildenafil may protect myelin and promote remyelination in MS models. No one has shown this in people, and it’s not yet linked to the cholesterol mechanism above.

3/3. What do cancer and MS have in common here? Both show why drug repurposing is the future of medicine. Thousands of safe, FDA-approved drugs sit on pharmacy shelves right now—waiting to be unlocked as new cures.

1/3. Could Viagra stop cancer and help treat Multiple Sclerosis? A new study found sildenafil (Viagra) starves cancer cells by trapping cholesterol inside them, stopping metastasis. When combined with statins, the effect was even stronger. But the cholesterol connection goes way deeper. aacrjournals.org/cancerres/a…

Yet another microbe with positive cardiovascular benefits! @Nature

Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram have achieved 100% coverage under India's National HPV Vaccination Campaign, with the country crossing the 80 lakh (8 million) dose milestone. State-wise Progress Highlights 100% Coverage States: Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram. Above 90% Coverage: Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam. Above 85% Coverage: Karnataka. Above 60% Coverage: Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha. Highest Total Vaccinations: Uttar Pradesh leads all states with over 22 lakh doses administered. pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.…