On National Cancer Rose Day, Ashima Sehajpal talks to people who bravely battled this deadly disease

With unparallel grit and determination, they won a battle, which others would have not even dared to take on but resigned to their fate. And as expected, it certainly was tough as the enemy was not an outsider but their own body. However, they won and set examples for so many who are going through the same intense pain of cancer. On National Cancer Rose Day, here we make an effort to bring these gutsy people into limelight and appreciate their undying will to live.

Dr Kanwal Nalwa, a cancer patient was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. After getting her operation done, today she still is on oral chemotherapy and takes 15 tablets a day. All this does not stop her from enjoying life. “Initially coming to terms with the fact that I am suffering from a fatal disease wasn’t easy. But then, I wanted to live life and everything fell into place.” A homemaker, Kanwal loves to socialise and believes that life has taught her a vital lesson, “I couldn’t have valued and enjoyed each day of my life as I do now.”

Share with celebs To celebrate National Cancer Rose Day in city, the Cancer Patients Aid Association is organising an event where cancer patients alongwith celebrities like Shweta Nanda, Sushma Seth, Malvika Tiwari, Seema Jajaodia and Geetika Ganju will watch a movie and enjoy a day out.

She feels by celebrating days like National Cancer Rose Day, cancer patients can be inspired to fight this disease. She lets us know more about the significance of the day, “It celebrates the holistic approach of society towards people suffering from cancer. Other than medication, a patient needs a lot of encouragement from people around.”

Daman Mangat, another cancer survivor, opines that such celebrations are important to make patients realise that they have companions who do understand what they are going through. “This disease make you go weak, both physically and mentally, and what a person needs more in these crunch times is emotional support. Such days re-enforces our belief in people” Wife of a merchant navy officer, her real life story can motivate many a people, “It was my inner strength that helped me undergo the treatment all alone.” Now, a PRO of Sahayata Charitable Welfare Society that takes care of cancer patients, she believes that a cancer survivor has a lot to give.

Suffering from a rare form of cancer, Colonel (retd) Bhagwant Singh says it was the support of her family and friends that helped him develop a positive approach towards life. “Detection of cancer for most of the people means the end of life. It’s a wrong attitude. I too was shocked when doctors told me that I have been diagnosed with cancer but my family lent me support and I overcame it.”

It may be the second lease of life for some, but for others it has this dreaded disease has hardly changed their life. Meet Kishwar Shirali, a cancer survivor whose advice to women is not to be complacent in case they find a lump in their breast and go for immediate check up. Working for a NGO that caters to the needs of children, victims of violence in Kashmir, she shares her experience, “I didn’t let cancer to take a toll on my mental strength, and I am still the same active woman who takes pleasure in doing a lot of social work.”

ashima@tribunemail.com

Abortion pills available on the Internet are ringing an alarm bell

It certainly alarmed us to read about more and more women using the Internet to buy do-it-yourself abortion pills. The heath aspect being one thing, for the study conducted by The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology says that nearly 11 per cent of the users had to go through a surgical procedure after taking the medication. And we cannot ignore the moral values also. Anti-abortion campaigners have already condemned this development of such sites. The site ‘women on web’ may not be accessible to many of us in India, but it certainly requires attention, especially in Punjab, which is trying to break free from the grip of female foeticide.

A survey in the city chemist shops does reveal that there is a demand for such ‘do it yourself abortion’ pills, which even though falls in the category of prescribed drugs, can be obtained over the counters if one knows the right strings to pull. “Yes, we do get customers asking for such medications,” says a chemist from Sector 28 on the condition of anonymity. He adds, “most of the customers fall in the category of early 20s’ to early 30s.”

In fact, our gynecologists are worried too. “I have seen cases where such abortionshave remained incomplete or excessive bleeding occurred after taking the pills,” says Dr Neelam Malik. What worries her more is that people in abroad buy such medicines through Internet, here, one just has to walk up to a chemist’s shop to buy it. Though many get away after taking it, but few unfortunate ones land up at the emergency ward. “Things go wrong when it is a case of ectopic pregnancy, where the foetus develop outside the uterus. In such cases these pills do not work and patients often have to be rushed to the hospital,” she adds.

The magnitude of the problem gets reflected in Dr Neelam Aggarwal’s statement, “Yes, we do come across cases at the PGI where a woman landed up in an emergency because of incomplete abortion, excessive bleeding or even ruptured uterus due to faulty use of these pills.”

According to Dr Malik, such pills do not directly contribute to the ever-persisting problem of female foeticide, but the alarm bell goes ringing in all quarters. Sociologist Rajseh Gill thinks that we have well past the age where sex for young boys and girls used to be a hushed affair. But the trend nevertheless worries her. “We have given them a green signal – have sex passed but take care of yourself and media, films have done its job well. We have given them condoms, we have given them I-pills. We have taken their inhibition and fear out,” says Rajesh. So where does it lead to?

“One has to look at the problem with a larger perspective. It’s not just about young women recklessly popping pills but also speaks volumes about our governance system. How come such prescription drugs are being sold like painkillers? Moral values are depleting and everyone is responsible for it, right from our parents to society but largely the governing body,” says Amrit Boleria, nominated councilor and social activist. Anybody listening?

parbina@tribunemail.com

Embellish your nails with bright hues, floral designs, swarovski crystals and much more

WHAT makes for an immaculate, glamorous and an attractive woman? No it's not just the make-up, dress and hair. Don't they say, the devil lies in the detail. It's the finer things like smile, hands and feet that make that lasting impression. Nails form an indispensably important part. Thankfully, there are options galore to deck, beautify and pamper the nails. City salons are buzzing and brimming with options and possibilities and alternatives. So the coming festival and wedding season let your nails do the talking.

Apart from the sun, sand and sea, spa too has become the indispensable condition for having a good time.

Given the popularity of spas we are convinced that even the tribals living in remote and dense forests must be having spa salon in their vicinity. Understandably we have all heard of body spa, hair spa, face spa. Hold your breath. Nail spa. No we are not predicting future or talking about possible inventions in the beauty industry.

Nail spas are available in city salons. Body Ink-8, will be starting with nails spas in October. Says, Jayati Thapa, nail technician, "Nail spa is nothing but a process which begins with filing and cleaning and then we join artificial nails by keeping a hair line gap and trim according to your natural shape and growth." So much for the spa.

Who wouldn't like to have art on their fingertips? Well, the women folk certainly have a choice and an amazing one at that. And why not? Thing as good as art need not be limited to canvas. Nail art has been growing in both popularity and acceptance through a steep curve. Gone are the days when just a plane old and chippy nail polish would suffice.

When we talk nail art think bright vibrant hues, lively beautiful detailing and think shimmer and flowers on your nails. It can't get opulent and celebratory than this. As Harveen Kathuria, clinic manager, Cleopatra, says, "In nail art there is a mind boggling variety of nail decorations with floral designs, bright hues, swarovski crystals, nail jewellery, studs and stars." And she adds, "There's also acrylic nails, in which we use artificial extensions that last up to four to six months with just a refilling required in between."

But wait a minute. There are no free lunches in the world. Even beauty, especially the parlour acquired synthetic one, has a price. So we don't want to describe in comprehensive language, the various harmful and side effects of using nail piercing, extensions, art etc, lest we spoil the festive mood. But check up with your dermatologist before going ahead.

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Prof Naresh K. Panda, head, Otolaryngology Department, PGI, talks about the ill-effects of noise

When an individual is exposed to harmful sounds - sounds that are too loud or loud sounds over a period time - sensitive structures of the inner ear can be damaged, causing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). At first, hearing loss is usually temporary and recovery takes place over a few days. After further exposure, a person may not fully recover their initial level of hearing - irreversible damage would have occurred, causing deafness.

What are the main causes of NIHL?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) can be caused by a one-time exposure to loud sound as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time. Normal conversation is approximately 60 decibels, the humming of a refrigerator is 40 decibels, and heavy city traffic noise can be 85 decibels. Examples of sources of loud noises that cause NIHL are motorcycles, firecrackers, and firearms, all emitting sounds from 120 to 150 decibels. Sounds of less than 80 decibels, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss.

Who are at risk?

The DJs seems to be at maximum risk, surrounded as they are by hi-tech sound systems and prolonged usage of iPods and headphones. Even at their softest, hi-tech sound systems play very loud music. Moreover, everyone has a different capacity to bear different levels of sound. I would recommend that one must undergo an Audiometric test before using any kind of sound system to get an idea of what decibel limit your ear can cope with.

What are the symptoms of this problem?

Tinnitus or a ringing in the ear is an excellent early warning sign that the hearing is being affected. In factory workers especially it is a good indicator that a change is required from the work environment. The hearing loss is reversible at this stage if precautions are taken.

How can identify the extent of deafness?

The extent of deafness depends on the degree of exposure and individual susceptibility. Ordinarily, sounds like the honking of cars, the uproar of trains as they pull in and out of stations can at best be termed irritants. They are not the sounds that will cause deafness. However, factory workers especially in textile mills, the airport staff, personnel working with road drillers and those working in engine rooms as on board ships are subjected to continuous, repetitive sounds that make them susceptible to developing hearing loss. The damage occurs slowly over years of continuous exposure to loud noise.

How loud is too loud?

110 decibels: Continuous exposure of more than one minute risks permanent hearing loss.

100 decibels: No more than 15 minutes unprotected exposure recommended.

90 decibels: Prolonged exposure to any noise above 90 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss .

Have a medical examination by an ENT specialist and a hearing test by an audiologist helps to identify and measure hearing loss and to rehabilitate persons with hearing impairments

Advances in the field of antenatal diagnosis have made possible the detection of profound sensorineural hearing loss prior to birth.

Lore, legend and rite are fascinating aspects of Himalayan mountaineering

Outsiders to the world of mountaineering are often intrigued, and amused, by the set of little customs we habitually follow when in the mountains. Not that we are a superstitious lot but, understandably, an intensity of feeling creeps in when you are in an environment where one wrong step - and not necessarily physical - can wrest life away in a matter of seconds.

Garhwali and Himachali porters treat their mountains with great reverence because the area is devbhoomi - and the older ones will point out the sites of incidents narrated in the Mahabharata. When I am in the mood for willing suspension of disbelief (and the ambience of a rickety bus on a road meandering through verdant hillsides washed with morning sunlight while blue-tinged snow cones peep through gorges up ahead and a raging river rushes along the valley floor below is mighty conducive!), it can be quite a treat to listen.

A number of peaks have legends of their own but none perhaps as powerful as Nanda Devi. The mountain is named after Shiva's bride, the Goddess of Bliss, and the twin peaks (7817m and 7454m) are her breasts. Nanda Ghunti (6309m) is her veil, Nanda Khat (6611m) her bed and Nanda Kot (6861m) her sanctuary.

Tarns or mountain lakes are considered holy and it is the custom to pass them in such a way as to perform a parikrama. So, setting out on a ferry from one camp to another, you keep the lake on your right. Returning after dumping your load, you deviate from the earlier track to pass the lake from the other side so that it is again on your right and the parikrama is complete. Throwing stones into a tarn is considered bad manners. For the religious, it means disturbing the spirit that resides in the water. For the rest of us, it is loutish behaviour inappropriate amid a scene of great tranquility.

It is also considered improper to remove stones from a tarn or brook. However, sometimes a pebble that has been fascinatingly moulded by water and wind over centuries catches your fancy or you seek a souvenir from a memorable spot. In that case, one brings it away but leaves something of one's own in return. Unlike at pilgrimage spots in the plains, a cotton handkerchief or something similarly biodegradable is left rather than a coin.

On reaching a summit, individuals do different things but nearly everyone exchanges handshakes and hugs and unfurls the national flag. Some people make a gesture of pranam to the snow or rocks on the summit. And, after the initial euphoria, a brief puja is performed with incense sticks being lit and a coconut being broken. Some sweets, fruit and coconut pieces are left as an offering to the mountain deity while the rest is carried all the way back to home and office and distributed as prasad.

Buddhists consider mountain tops even more holy than Hindus and treading a summit amounts to stepping on the deity's head. In the Sikkim Himalaya, the custom - adhered to by all climbers - is to stop seven feet below the summit so that no one's head is ever higher than the mountain. They also propitiate the mountain deity with incense and a khada or silk scarf, and prayer flags.

Passes are believed to be guarded by deities and I personally find it comforting to always add a stone of my own to the heap that, along with prayer flags, usually marks a pass in Sikkim and Ladakh. Visitors from the plains sometimes disregard the Buddhist custom of keeping a chorten on one's right. But I hope most of you will find that learning and appropriating local customs, even if you are an atheist like me, adds to the magic of our mountain sojourns.

Tashi deleg!

“We both badly want a particular role and neither is backing down,’’ Clooney told a friend.

For Pitt, landing the role of Henry Higgins would be a dream come true, as he has been fascinated by the story since he was a child, and he has even gone so far as to tell Clooney to back down and give the role to him.

The Troy star is so enthusiastic about the movie that he wants his wife actress Angelina Jolie to play the part of Eliza Doolittle. But Clooney has no intentions of backing down, as he too is eager to land the role. “It’s sort of become an intense competition between us now and it just keeps escalating. For now we’re both so angry we’re not even in contact any more,’’ Clooney added.

The feud between Pitt, 44, and Clooney, 47, has definitely turned their previously united front around.

After topping People magazine's 25 Most Beautiful List, Hollywood's golden girl Kate Hudson has said that she finds being beautiful 'weird'. The stunner, who would soon be seen in the forthcoming comedy film, My Best Friend's Girl, has admitted that she's both proud and uncomfortable with the beautiful 'tag'.

"It's totally weird and yet it's an honor at the same time," a news channel quoted Hudson as telling.

"At first you think it's really cool, and then you're like, what is this, that's so weird ... it's really weird," she added.

The Almost Famous star was married to Chris Robinson, front man of the The Black Crowes and since her divorce has been linked to high-profile stars like Owen Wilson, Lance Armstrong and Dax Shepard.