The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

BODY & MIND
Is there life after cancer?
Tripti Nath

Cancer Sahyog, the oldest cancer support group in the country, is holding a seminar on `Life after Cancer’ at India International Centre on its 12th anniversary on October 6.

The seminar will focus on the effects of cancer on relationships. Mr P.K. Ghosh, Secretary of Cancer Sahyog and a cancer survivor, says that they will present the case of three cancer survivors (a couple and a man) who will narrate their experiences following the diagnosis.

In September-end, Cancer Sahyog will formally constitute Cancer Care India, an apex body of cancer support groups.

According to Mr Ghosh, General Secretary of Cancer Care India, cancer support groups from various parts of the country are expected to attend the first governing body meeting at the office of Can Support in Shahpur Jat, Asiad Village. Cancer support groups which will be represented at the meeting are Sankalp in Bhillai, Sahayta Charitable Welfare Society, Chandigarh, Calcutta Association of Laryngectomees, and Kolkata-based Larygectomees Club, Hitaishini and Prerak, Chennai-based Can Stop and Sanctuary, Vasantah Memorial Trust in Coimbatore, Cancer Concern Society in Dehra Dun, Tej Ram Memorial Cancer Society, Laryngoctomee Club of India, Mastectomees’ Association, Can Support and Cancer Patients Aid Association in Delhi, Cancer Support Group in Jamshedpur, V Care and Dream Foundation in Mumbai. The objective behind setting up the apex body is to coordinate the activities of all support groups, advocate for common issues with the government, protect the interests of cancer patients and also help in organising more cancer support groups in the country.

Twenty volunteers (cancer survivors) of Cancer Sahyog provide emotional support to cancer patients in cancer clinics at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Army Reference and Research Hospital and Batra Hospital.

Alternative to HRT

Charak Pharma Pvt Ltd has started the process of registration for exporting Evanova, an alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopause. An ayurvedic preparation of 33 herbominerals and non-hormonal active ingredients, Evanova delays the onset of the post-menopausal events, offers cardiovascular protection and helps to strengthen the skeletal frame.

Menopause is one of the major turning points in a woman’s life. It is the time at mid-life when a woman has her last period. The body stops producing estrogens and the ovaries stop releasing eggs. As most women approach menopause, they experience major physical changes as changes in the skin, insomnia, night sweat, achy joints, hot flashes, changes in sexual desire, headaches, frequent urination, early wakening, vaginal dryness, mood swings and depression. Women often undergo the HRT to relieve themselves of the aforesaid menopausal symptoms. HRT seeks to replace the hormones that the ovaries have stopped producing. The most common form of treatment of HRT are oral, transdermal patches stuck to the skin, subcutaneous strudel pellets as implants, creams and pessaries and injections. These may trigger off reactions as postmenopausal bleeding, breast and uterus cancer, liver and gall bladder diseases, thrombo embolic disorder, increase in formation of blood clots. The long-time use of HRT also makes the bone density brittle.

The Director of Charak Pharama Pvt Ltd, Mr Pulin Shroff says that Evanova, launched a year ago has no side-effects.

It is made up of extracts from plants. ``We are using Phyto Estrogen, estrogen extracted from plants.

The main ingredient is soya. Another benefit is that the woman who takes Evanova does not have to go through tests as mammography, sonography and a hormonal profile which are necessary in HRT. “The launch was preceded by three years of research,’’ he said.

Reproductive care

The 46th All-India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology scheduled to be held in Bangalore in early January will attempt to create awareness about reproductive care, contraception, menopause and medico-legal problems. According to the Organising Chairperson of the conference, Dr Kamini A Rao, the main theme of the conference is community obstetrics, adolescent health and advances in fertility. She said that over 4000 delegates were expected to attend the conference. World leaders in the field of reproductive health will throw light on a wide spectrum of critical issues in the field of reproductive and child care. The conference will address the issue of population stabilisation and family welfare in the country. Dr Rao said that over 60 per cent of Indian women have never used contraceptives in their lives. She said that pre-marital teenage sexual activity is on the rise. Most teenage couples do not use contraceptives. The adolescents need to be educated about the available options to prevent pregnancy.

Diabetes screening

At least 400 persons attended the free diabetes screening camp organised by Apollo Clinic, Pitampura, here last Sunday. Dr Anjana Bhan, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist to Apollo Hospitals, delivered a talk on diabetes during the six-hour-long camp. According to Dr Bhan, India has the largest number of diabetics in the world and four out of five diabetics in India are not diagnosed as suffering from diabetes. “What is even more alarming is the fact that many of them come to know of their ailment only after they have developed complications. An early diagnosis and proper care can enable them lead a normal life,’’ she said.

Oxygen facial

Bharti Taneja at work, giving an oxygen facial to a woman.

Appearance-conscious women frequenting beauty parlours can now explore new techniques to defy age and look younger. Cosmetologist Bharti Taneja is one of the first cosmetologists to start Oxygen 02 facial which promises to add a glow to the skin with pure oxygen. The Oxygen O2 facial begins with deep pore cleansing and exfoliation to remove all grime, dirt and dead skin cells. The face is then massaged with super hydrating cream, Vitamin C serum and multi-acid refiner. This is followed by application of a hydrating mask which hydrates and destresses the skin, restoring its glow and youthful look. An oxygen cylinder is used to release pure oxygen on the face.

This serves to regenerate dermal tissues and makes the skin soft. The products used in Oxygen O2 facial are water-based and have been specially made to suit Asian skin. The magic of Oxygen O2 facial can be experienced at any of the six ALPS cosmetic clinics (Vikas Puri, Punjabi Bagh, Naraina Vihar, Kamla Nagar, Vikas Marg and Lajpat Nagar II) for Rs 700. Ms Taneja explains that oxygen is a great skin rejuvenator and keeps the skin healthy and glowing. “Lack of oxygen can leave the skin dull and lifeless. The oxygen content in our skin is very important as it regenerates cell metabolism and penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate new cell formation. But by the time we enter mid 20s, half the oxygen content is lost. This results in premature aging. The loss of oxygen can be due to lower blood circulation, stress, sun damage, smoking or frequent exposure to drying environments as air-conditioning or heating.’’ The ALPS clinics offer a range of beauty treatment, including Egyptian gold facial, Collagen facial, Swiss pearl facial, aromatherapy, permanent cosmetic make-up, colouring of leucoderma patches. Ms Taneja has also introduced the Pulse Light for permanent hair removal. Unlike laser which targets one hair follicle at a time, Pulse Light targets an entire patch expediting hair removal.

SPORTS

Jaskirat lifts junior golf title
Our Sports Reporter

Noida, September 21
The golden rays of the morning sun, the cool breeze and the evergreen fairways of the Greg Norman designed Jaypee Greens golf course offered perfect playing conditions and brought the best out of the talent pool on the final day of the four-day junior and sub-junior open golf championship, an Indian Golf Union (IGU) categorised tournament, that concluded here today.

Leading scorer of the last three days, Jaskirat Singh Dullet of Patiala, displayed the consistency of a professional and went on to win the tournament in category A with an overall four-day total of 299. The other winners were Gaganjeet Bhullar with a four-day total of 319 in category B, Sidhharth Seth with 331 in category C and Viraat Badhwar with a three-day total of 263 in category D.

The honours for the second place went to Adiya Singh with a four-day total of 308 in category A, Raj Randhawa with a four-day total of 321 in category B, Fateh Bir Singh with 335 in category C and Raghav Bhandari with a three-day total of 298 in category D.

The prizes for the winners in all categories was a package of a glittering trophy, putter and a sleeve of balls, first runners up in all categories got Greg Norman golf figures, Greg Norman T-shirt and Adidas duffle bag. A prize for the hole-in-one was a Jaypee Greens travel bag and a golf hat. The youngest player of the tournament also received a T-shirt and a sleeve of balls.

The manner of play for category A, B and C was 72 holes of stroke play, with category A and B golfers teeing off from the black tee and category C from the blue tee.

For category D the manner of play was 54 holes of stroke play and the golfers had to tee off from the red tee.

According to the IGU rules, except for participants in categories C and D, caddies and power cart were not permitted for category A and B golfers.

Raisina Club rout Young Boys
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, September 21
Raisina Club trounced Young Boys 5-0 in an A Division match of the Delhi Soccer Association

(DSA)-SAIL Open Clubs Football Tournament at Ambedkar Stadium on Saturday. Rarin Das (2), Arun Rakshit, Praduth Jana and Uttam Ghosh were the goal-scorers. Royal Club defeated Uttarakhand 1-0 in another A division match. Anup scored the match-winner. Victory Cub got a walkover from Jat Heroes.

Youngmen edged past Glorious 1-0 in an A Division match played at the Nehru Stadium practice ground. Sunil Kumar scored the all-important goal. In another match at Nehru Stadium, Cosmos Club defeated Youngsters 1-0. Chandan scored the lone goal.

In a B Divison match, St Columba’s beat Timarpur 4-2. Aaron and Mayank scored two goals each for the winners while Partap Singh accounted for both the goals of Timarpur. Rohini Club defeated Union 6-0. Imtiaz (3), Anjan Chakravarti and Lalit were the goal scorers. Goodwill defeated Punjab Heroes 4-0.

NSCC in semi-final

NSCC beat Young Friends Club by 45 runs to enter the semi-final of the second C L Gupta Memorial Cricket Tournament for the Prem Lata Trophy at the Mohan Meakins ground.

Scores: NSCC: 196 for 9 in 40 overs (Anshul Lamba 38, Randeep 32, Sanjay Kumar 31 n o, Manish Kumar 25, Amit Nathani 2 for 36, Victor Wilkins 2 for 42, A John 2 for 22).

Young Friends Club: 151 for 9 in 40 overs Himanshu Khullar 56, 2x4, 1x6; Raju Sharma 38, 5x4; Sashi Ranjan 3 for 37). Sunday’s fixture: Chand Khanna vs Lal Bahadur Shastri Club.

Nehru School win

In the opening match of Ramjas Inter-School Basketball Nehru Public School, Ghaziabad, defeated APS, Dhaula Kuan, by 30 to 19 points. For the winners, Joginder (11) and Raman (10) were the top scorers.

In a one-sided match, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, was defeated by Salwan Public School, Rajinder Nagar, by 26 to 46. Mohan was top scorer with 27 points. Umesh scored 10 points.

Springdales School, Pusa Road, snatched the victory from the hands of Ramjas School, Pusa Road, by 32 to 29.At one time both were neck and neck. In the latter half Springdales displayed better skills and won the match.