Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer that’s mostly common in young adults and adolescents, but can occur in people of any age. It’s a rare disease, but the most common bone cancer in teenagers. But what is it? How does it develop? Can it be treated? This article aims to answer all of those questions, and more.   What is osteosarcoma? It’s a cancer that starts in bone cells, which are what help bone tissue form. The tumours, or cancerous cells, cause the tissue to develop abnormally, causing complications in the body, especially in younger teenagers and children, whose bones are still growing and ..read more

While COVID-19 is a widespread virus affecting a large part of the world right now, you can take certain steps to build up your immunity against it and decrease your risk of contracting the illness. Many of them are simple, everyday habits you can build to keep yourself and others safe.   Maintain a balanced diet This is an important aspect for cancer patients in general, and can overall build immunity – not just against COVID. Balancing different food groups is key to keeping your body vitals in check, like getting enough carbs for energy, but not too much so that your blood sugar and pr ..read more

Many cancer patients face symptoms like fatigue and immunodeficiency because of their condition or their treatments and procedures. A common question that arises is “Can I get the COVID vaccine?” or “Should I get vaccinated?” This article outlines what cancer patients should know about getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.   So, should I get vaccinated? Patients with a compromised immunity often ask this question. If you face weight loss, weakness, or are prone to infection, you may worry that the vaccine may cause more harm than good. In fact, in these cases, it is all the more imp ..read more

Contracting COVID-19 can take a major toll on your health, both mental and physical. Medical treatment should always be a priority, but there are individual steps you can take to speed up your recovery and keep yourself healthy and fit, even when quarantined. By keeping yourself active and doing some exercises, you can make your journey to recovery easier.   Where do I start? There are five main exercise areas to consider, which engage different parts of your body and systems to help you regain strength.   1) Breathing The coronavirus is known to affect the lungs and the respiratory ..read more

With the coronavirus still at large, and the COVID-19 pandemic still a global disaster, it’s important to take all precautions possible, and to keep yourself and those around you safe. One of the most important safety measures is the vaccine – but what does vaccination mean for cancer patients and survivors? This article aims to address some questions and preconceptions on the vaccine, and why it’s important for cancer patients to get vaccinated whenever possible.   Which vaccines are available? There are multiple vaccines that have been approved, the three widely used and tested ones bei ..read more

Though cancer is by no means a rare disease, there are many myths and misconceptions about it, its diagnosis, and its treatment. This can lead to unnecessary fear or worry about your, or a loved one’s, ailment. Here, this post will be explaining the truth behind some of the common doubts about cancer.   1) Eating sugar makes cancer grow faster Research to date shows no definitive correlation between sugar consumption and cancer growth. While certain cancer cells do tend to absorb glucose more than normal cells, cutting out sugar will not slow down cancer growth. This misconception might s ..read more

Testicular cancer may be rare, but it is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 40. April celebrates Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, so read on to find out more about it.   What is it? Testicular cancer affects the testicles (or testes) in men, which are two glands that produce sex hormones (like testosterone) and sperm. When testicular cells mutate, or grow abnormally, a tumour may be formed, and a cancer begins to grow. However, testicular cancer is very treatable and has a low mortality rate when diagnosed early. Germ cell testicular cancer comprises over 95% of cases, and is spli ..read more

April celebrates Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, one of the rarer – but still dangerous – cancers, and the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths globally. But what is esophageal cancer? What are its symptoms, and what can you do to prevent it?   What is it? Esophageal cancer begins in the esophagus (alternately spelt oesophagus), which is a tube of muscle connecting the mouth to the stomach. It’s the tube in your throat that carries food to your gut for digestion. In esophageal cancer, the cells that line the tube mutate, or start to multiply abnormally, forming tumours and causing canc ..read more

What is retinoblastoma? Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that affects the retina, a part of the eye. The retina is a lining at the back of the eye that reflects light to make vision possible. In retinoblastoma, the retinal cells mutate and grow abnormally, causing cancer. Typically, retinoblastoma occurs in children, with most affected patients being below the age of 5. However, it can go unnoticed and progress into the teenage years. Although it is very rare, it can occur in adults as well. Approximately 2/5 of cases are hereditary, or germinal, meaning they are caused by a mutation in all ..read more

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, second only to skin cancer, and one of the leading causes of death. But what is prostate cancer, and what can you do to prevent it?   What is it? The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It’s a gland in the pelvic area that produces the fluid which helps make semen, and is located underneath the bladder, in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells grow uncontrollably and develop into malignant tumours. These cancer cells often spread to nearby areas such as the seminal vesicles and the bladder. Cu ..read more