cancer Archives

February 4, 2020 By Anusha Subramanian 2 Comments

‘I Am And I Will’: World Cancer Day

‘Cancer’ is considered a stigma word. One forgets that Cancer is not contagious however, the human mindset for eons has believed that cancer spreads and hence, one with cancer is looked at differently or is ostracized. Believe me, Cancer is not the end of the road. There is hope for people with cancer, provided both, the patient as well as the people around the patient are willing to help each other.

This is precisely what the World Cancer Day theme ‘I Am And I Will’ addresses. The campaign which began in 2019 is an empowering call-to-action that urges personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future. The campaign is built to resonate, inspire change and mobilize action long after the day has passed.

There are various ways to reduce the risk of cancer. Those with cancer need not worry as there is always hope at the end of the tunnel. Experts say that one of the best ways to reduce the risk of Cancer is by adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is said that you can reduce the risk of many common cancers such as bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, esophagus, kidney and liver by maintaining healthy weight, eating right and making physical activity a part of your daily routine.

‘I Am And I Will’ theme indicates that as an individual or as an organization, get involved in any way you can. Because together, we can create change. What you can do is:

Get Personal: Create your own custom social media post with your own personal message of the commitment and share it with the world.
Light up the World: As an organisation or even at an Individual level, you can make a statement by lighting up a significant landmark, monument or building to be illuminated on World Cancer Day in the colours of orange and blue in your city.
Spread the word: By writing a blog or an article in a newspaper or a video message.
Join the action: Join by showing up at an event near you and volunteer.
Create your own Event: Inspire others by hosting your own World Cancer Day event. From flash mobs, free screenings, record breaking attempts, conferences, fundraisers to fun runs.
One and all can get Involved: Whoever you are- a cancer survivor, co-worker, a carer, a friend, a leader, a health worker, a teacher or a student- you have the power to take action for a cancer free world.

(Source: www.worldcancerday.org)

We all can do our bit. I remember there is an organization in Mumbai called Ugam, a voluntary support group formed by Childhood Cancer survivors. UGAM means “To Rise” underscoring their determination to rise above all obstacles in life & be VICTORS. UGAM, based in Mumbai is the youngest unit of the oldest & most prominent NGO, The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) under its survivorship programme.

Ugam’s vision is to ensure that every childhood cancer survivor finds his/ her way to celebrate life after winning the battle with cancer. Ugam helps in self-empowerment of the survivors. It helps in fulfilling their dreams that were put on hold while they were battling this tormenting disease and the hardships of the treatment. Helping in overcoming social fears and hindrances, overcoming their physical and mental disabilities and moving ahead despite them, as well as providing educational and career related assistance and guidance.

Ugam provides a platform for them to talk about their experience and problems and help in building their confidence and self-esteem. Ugam tries and gives them a reason to lead a social and personal life in the future.
We at GOQii are advocates of healthy lifestyle and doing Karma. So let’s make a beginning!

To know more about cancer, you can tune in to our experts on GOQii Play for topics on nutrition, exercise and any medical information you may need. How do you plan on contributing to fight cancer? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

#BeTheForce

April 24, 2019 By Madhu Soni 2 Comments

The Power of the Indian Gooseberry

In a fast-paced world that rapidly drains us of energy, it is extremely important to be in the best of shape! In that pursuit, we are constantly searching for an elixir that will give us good health with least efforts.

What if we told you that you can have more energy, focus and overall good health? What if that magic elixir exists? Moreso, what if it is a fruit that you already know?

If you haven’t guessed it already, we are talking about the Indian Gooseberry or as it is popularly known – “Amla”. Since ancient times, it is used to cure various ailments, even if it is something as simple as aiding digestion to something as complex as fighting diabetes and heart disease.

The Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis or phyllanthus emblica) derives its name from the Sanskrit word “Amalaki”. This tree is a native of India and the neighboring South East Asian countries. The fruit is sour in taste but leaves a sweet aftertaste.

Let’s take a look at how it impacts health!

Boost Immunity: The Indian Gooseberry is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and A. It greatly increases white blood cells in our body and is an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic .It is like a powerful soldier that shields our body against various foreign toxins.
Fights Cancer: It has the potential to restrict the growth of cancer cells by keeping harmful free radicals at bay. The Indian Gooseberry also counter-attacks the side effects of anti-cancer drugs, radiation and chemotherapy.
Keeps Diabetes in Check: It helps regulate blood sugar levels in many ways. The chromium present in it is responsible for the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin and the polyphenol keeps the oxidative stress low, thus making the body more responsive to insulin.
Good for the Heart: The cardioprotective properties of the Indian Gooseberry due to the presence of Vitamin A and C, the chromium and iron help reduce cholesterol, increase HDL (Good cholesterol) and reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and strengthen the heart muscles.
Protects the Eyes: Regular use of the Indian Gooseberry can protect our eyes from cataract and short-sightedness. The impressive carotene content in it can keep night blindness away.
Promotes a Healthy Liver: It is diuretic in nature, which means that it increases the volume and frequency of urine and fosters regular bowel movement. It also helps in eliminating toxic metals and the ill effects of excessive medication. Thus, it protects the liver. It also provides relief in the case of urinary tract infection.
Fountain of Youth: The Indian Gooseberry supports longevity, helps smoothen wrinkles, fortifies the skin, prevents hair loss and greying and provides lustrous hair. Besides beauty, it is also a brain tonic which promotes clarity of thought and boosts memory.

The Not So Good Part of the Indian Gooseberry!

Since it is high in ascorbic acid, taking excessive quantities at night may erode the enamel in the teeth just like any other citrus fruit. Since it reduces diabetes, sugar levels may drop, so keep your doctor informed about it. He may change your medication. Being diuretic, excess amla consumption may cause constipation to a few.

How to Eat the Indian Gooseberry

The best way to have it would be raw. You can add rock salt and pepper to kill the sourness
Powder and tablets are a convenient way to have it, but to be taken under medical supervision
Indian Gooseberry juice either freshly made at home or store bought are great options
Chawanprash: a healthy way to include it. 1-2 tsp can be taken daily
Amla Murabba: Since it has a good amount of sugar, which acts as a preservative, you can wash off the excess sugar syrup just before eating
Eat it as a chutney, pickle or you can even opt for Amla Candies

To put it all in a nutshell, taken in any form, it is a simple yet effective way to good health. It is worth its weight in gold and this information shouldn’t be ignored but passed on to the next generation!

Want to know more about the Indian Gooseberry? Let us know in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

September 12, 2017 By Luke Coutinho 1 Comment

Are you a sugar addict?

At first we want to believe that we are not addicts. The very word ‘ addict ‘ makes us think ‘ Drugs ‘ or ‘ Alcohol ‘

But, did you know that sugar is sweet poison….it’s a silent killer. The effects of massive sugar consumption creeps in on us and suddenly strikes, in the form of a deadly disease or mood swings or depression or extreme fatigue, lowered libido etc…

There is too much to write about the dangers of white refine sugar or its other ‘disguises’.
The results though, of this consumption can be seen all around us.

~ Obese children and obese parents.

~ People with midriff fat or a ‘ tyre’

~ Bulging bellies.

~ Increasing cases of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression, and inability to sleep.

~ Hyper children

~Children finding it difficult to concentrate and focus in school.

~ Individual behaviors that stem from low self-esteem caused due to one’s looks

~ Depression and unhappiness caused because the’ scale does not move ‘

~ Supposedly ‘ fit’ people dying of heart attacks.

If you are told to give up sugar for 10 days, and it worries or angers you, you should accept that you are addicted to it

if your children cannot go 10 days without sugar, they are addicted.

If you can’t control your portions of sugar, for example: if you start with a piece of chocolate and end up finishing the whole bar or the cake or many cupcakes at one go (that’s me) you are addicted to sugar.

Some of the worst stages of cancer require the person to starve the body of sugar, and yet if the only pleading request from that person is to do anything, but not take away sugar from the diet then it definitely sounds like an addiction.

There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of sugar, but when you have a diet that comprises of packaged foods, outside foods and junk, you are in taking more sugar than your body can handle.

Here are three reasons why you should immediately make plans to cut your sugar intake –

Sugar makes you crave for more sugar and if you restrict yourself it leads to mood swings, behavioral changes and a feeling of ‘restriction’. Sugar starts the chain reaction of addiction and more sugar means more calories which in turn mean more weight.

Sugar is the chief cause of ‘ belly’ fat or love handles or Cellulite. It ferments in the body making the body acidic and giving rise to bloating and gas. We then tend to perceive these problems as something else, and end up doing a whole load of wrong things to beat the bloating and gas. For example, we cut down on beans, because we think that all that bloat and gas formation is because of these extremely healthy and nutritious beans. And, so we eliminate beans from our diet and fail to cut down on the substance that is the real cause, sugar.

Sugar makes the environment in our cells acidic.Almost all diseases breathe in an acidic environment. Enough has been said about that. If you feel you’re addicted, get aware of your consumption and slowly start reducing it over time.

Find sweet substitutes, or set small milestones to reach your goal of consuming less sugar.

Till then, be conscious of your sugar intake. At times no matter how much you work out or walk, but if you are consuming too much sugar, you will find you lose some weight, but not from your belly or sides or not as much as you want to and that obstacle is nothing but sugar.

February 15, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 1 Comment

Bring a Smile On Their Face! Support Kids With Cancer

Cancer is a cruel and expensive disease. It drains you physically and exhausts you financially. And for the thousands of families who travel to Mumbai for treatment, one of the most challenging hurdles is to find a cheap and safe place to stay while the patient is being treated. Which is why Access Life is like an answer to a prayer.

Access Life, started by two young professionals Ankeet Dave and Girish Nair provides provides a loving and temporary home for the parent or care taker and the child undergoing the treatment for cancer at Tata Memorial Hospital and Wadia hospital in Mumbai. Their mission is to offer a home-like environment for these families and also try to improve the quality of life of these children by providing practical support services, educational resources and recreational programs.

Currently, the shelter in Chembur houses 8 kids who have come from Kolkata, Orissa and Maharashtra. The children are as young as 1 year to 5 years.

The children stay till the time they are undergoing treatment. Access Life provides for accommodation and food at absolutely no cost to the parents, all that is needed is a letter from the doctor treating the patient. It’s not just free accommodation and food, Access Life also organizes events for the kids and calls for volunteers who can just come and spend time with the kids at the home.

GOQii employees as part of the Friday activities coupled with the Karma initiative organized one such event at Access Life’s home where in few employees spent their Friday evening with the kids. There was music, dance and games and a complete fun filled evening.

All that Access Life asks for is to come and spend time with the kids. The stigma attached to Cancer still looms large over those affected by Cancer. Awareness and education about Cancer is very low in India. It is considered a contagious disease that can spread by touching or even speaking to the patient. Access Life strives to break this myth by inviting one and all to come forward and brighten the lives of these little angels by spending time with them. You could just give an hour a week if not every day. Believe me you will not regret it.

If you want to know more and also would like to spend some time with the kids visit www.accesslife.org