Breast Cancer Is the Number One Cancer in India When Both Genders Are Considered A critical but often under-emphasised finding from GLOBOCAN 2022 is that breast cancer ranks as the most common cancer in India when men and women are taken together. It also stands among the leading causes of cancer mortality overall, not…
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Why Sharing a Health Story Is Empowering: From One Voice to Many Lives
In health and medicine, numbers tell us how many people are affected. Stories tell us how it feels. Across cultures and health systems, sharing personal health stories has emerged as a powerful, evidence-based tool that empowers individuals, educates communities, reduces stigma, and even reshapes health programmes. This blog explains why sharing a health story…
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Cervical Cancer: A Preventable Tragedy Still Claiming Women’s Lives
January is observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a global initiative to highlight a cancer that is largely preventable, yet continues to cause avoidable illness and death among women—especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Understanding Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. Strong…
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HIV/AIDS in India: Four Decades of Change, Courage & Progress
World AIDS Day, 1 December 2025 A Beginning Shrouded in Fear (1986) When India detected its first HIV cases among sex workers in Chennai in 1986, the country was unprepared. Public knowledge was minimal. Testing was rare. Stigma was overwhelming. But the moment marked the start of one of the…
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Do Indoor Plants Really Clean the Air?
What Science Actually Says Bringing greenery indoors has become a global trend. We keep plants on our desks, windowsills, and balconies — believing they clean the air, lift our moods, and add oxygen. The idea sounds beautiful and natural. But does it hold up to scientific scrutiny? The popular belief…
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Hooked on the Ping? Understanding and Tackling WhatsApp Addiction
In today’s hyperconnected world, it’s hard to imagine a day without WhatsApp. What began as a simple messaging tool has become an indispensable part of daily life — for work, relationships, and even news. But for many, constant checking, replying, and forwarding has turned into an uncontrollable compulsion. This behavior,…
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“7 November: Where Science Meets Public Health — India’s National Cancer Awareness Day”
Every 7 November, India marks National Cancer Awareness Day — chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Marie Curie (7 Nov 1867), whose discoveries in radioactivity underpin modern radiation oncology and diagnostic science. The day is an annual prompt for clinicians, public-health professionals and policy-makers to intensify prevention, expand…
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Green Crackers: Science Behind the Smoke and Spark
Diwali fireworks are a cherished cultural tradition across India, but they are also a predictable annual spike in air and noise pollution. “Green crackers” were developed as a lower-emission alternative: the idea is to reformulate fireworks so they release fewer toxic metals, lower particulate mass, and less noise — while…
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Menstrual Leave-What Karnataka’s Move Means for Women in India and Beyond
Menstrual leave — paid or unpaid time off during menstruation — is one of the most debated gender-sensitive workplace policies of our time. While some view it as a necessary recognition of biological realities and health needs, others worry it may reinforce stereotypes or hinder women’s professional growth. In 2025,…
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When Women Talk About Fat, Muscle, and “Goals”: Listening Beyond the Numbers
By Dr. Anita Khokhar A few mornings ago, I overheard a group of women chatting after their fitness session. One of them, visibly pleased, said, “My body fat has gone down, muscle mass has gone up… but I’m still far from my goal.” The others nodded knowingly. That single sentence…