PSM News

June 04,2024 New Delhi : Healthcare has been a major canvassing point in the Lok Sabha election 2024. As the counting continues for the General Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking to form a government that will give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third term. With far fewer numbers, whether the Modi government will be able to fulfil the hefty promises made for the next five years remains to be seen. As Indians depend heavily on private services, the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017, which promises to increase public health spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, is long overdue. So the question remains: will affordable healthcare services for Indian citizens be just an election doldrum or will it see real-time development? Will Modi 3.0 make any difference by increasing public expenditure on healthcare to the desired level in India? Analysts and experts in the healthcare segment voice the sector’s expectations. Speaking to ETHealthworld, Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General, Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI), said, “Healthcare has become an election agenda. New government will have to increase allocation to 2.5 per cent of GDP. It has to include the underprivileged population within the scope of Ayushman Bharat. It will have to incentivise the private sector to open tertiary care hospitals in tier III towns.” Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said, “We expect the new government to boost manufacturing of medical devices and bring in a predictable tariff regime that makes manufacturing viable without being overly protectionist and instead focuses on monitoring and regulations of labelled prices of medical devices as that’s what is charged to consuming patients and they are currently being taken for a ride with artificially inflated prices.” “We want to encourage fair marketing based on quality and value, not on pushing products with high-profit margins. For a while now, we’ve been asking for rules that stop companies from artificially raising prices on medical device labels. This practice hurts honest manufacturers and marketing companies. Instead, we want fair competition based on the real value of the products, not inflated prices,” added Nath. He also stated that a separate regulatory framework for medical devices will ensure patient safety and quick access to affordable innovative options while keeping manufacturers disciplined and acting responsibly. Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital, stated that the impact of a UPA (United Progressive Alliance) or NDA (National Democratic Alliance) win in Lok Sabha polls on the healthcare market can vary based on the policies and priorities of the winning party. “NDA manifesto promises aim to put healthcare accessibility and quality in the front seat. Firstly, by providing sanitary pads at Rs 1, there’s a focus on improving women’s healthcare. Secondly, initiatives will target the prevention and reduction of ailments like anaemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, with a specific goal to eliminate cervical cancer,” said Dr Gupta. “Ayushman Bharat will be expanded to cover non-EWS and SC/ST senior citizens, and regular Ayush camps will offer elders holistic healthcare rooted in traditional practices. The manifesto also promises to eradicate malnutrition among tribal children, and provide comprehensive healthcare in tribal areas, including combating sickle cell anaemia,” he added. Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, said, “Our healthcare infrastructure has undergone significant improvements. The government’s proactive approach has brought healthcare needs to the forefront. However, this journey is far from over. As we look ahead, I expect the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to continue prioritizing healthcare for the next five years. Continued priority-healthcare must remain a central focus. We need sustained efforts to strengthen our healthcare system, enhance medical facilities, and ensure access to quality care for all citizens.” Stressing upon Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Dr Chaudhry said, “To accelerate progress, the government should foster a conducive environment for private players. Collaborations between public and private sectors can lead to innovative solutions, increased capacity, and better outcomes. Infrastructure Boost -Investments in healthcare infrastructure—such as hospitals, clinics, and research centers—are crucial. Upgrading existing facilities and building new ones will enhance our preparedness for future health crises.” He also added that the new government should focus on curative measures that are vital, and preventive healthcare deserves equal attention. Promoting healthy lifestyles, vaccination drives, and early disease detection can significantly improve overall well-being. Adding to it Dr Gupta said the NDA has started several initiatives, like Ayushman Bharat, for the benefit of the people, and hopefully, the new government, either the NDA or INDIA will continue. Health has been and should be an important focus for all governments. Source: Healthworld

June 06,2024 Washington: A man’s death in Mexico was caused by a strain of bird flu called H5N2 that has never before been found in a human, the World Health Organisation said Wednesday. The WHO said it wasn’t clear how the man became infected, although H5N2 has been reported in poultry in Mexico. There are numerous types of bird flu. H5N2 is not the same strain that has infected multiple dairy cow herds in the U.S. That strain is called H5N1 and three farmworkers have gotten mild infections. Other bird flu varieties have killed people across the world in previous years, including 18 people in China during an outbreak of H5N6 in 2021, according to a timeline of bird flu outbreaks from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mexican health officials alerted the WHO that a 59-year-old man who died in a Mexico City hospital had the virus despite no known exposure to poultry or other animals. According to family members, the WHO release said, the patient had been bedridden for unrelated reasons before developing a fever, shortness of breath and diarrhea on April 17. Mexico’s public health department said in a statement that he had underlying ailments, including chronic kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure. Hospital care was sought on April 24 and the man died the same day. Initial tests showed an unidentified type of flu that subsequent weeks of lab testing confirmed was H5N2. The WHO said the risk to people in Mexico is low, and that no further human cases have been discovered so far despite testing people who came in contact with the deceased at home and in the hospital. There had been three poultry outbreaks of H5N2 in nearby parts of Mexico in March but authorities haven’t been able to find a connection. Mexican officials also are monitoring birds near a shallow lake on the outskirts of Mexico City. Whenever bird flu circulates in poultry, there is a risk that people in close contact with flocks can become infected. Health authorities are closely watching for any signs that the viruses are evolving to spread easily from person to person, and experts are concerned as more mammal species contract bird flu viruses. Source: Healthworld

June 08,2024 Barcelona: The fact that individuals with type 2 diabetes have elevated fasting glucose levels is among the most perplexing factors for them. This is due to the fact that in these insulin-resistant individuals, the liver produces glucose, a process that still raises many unanswered issues for scientists. The most significant developments in our knowledge of this mechanism are now presented in a review paper that was published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. In the battle against type 2 diabetes mellitus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) lists as one of the pandemics of the twenty-first century, it also aids in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. The UB Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute (IRSJD), the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences at the University of Barcelona, the Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), and Professor Manuel Vazquez-Carrera are the study’s leaders. Experts Emma Barroso, Javier Jurado-Aguilar, and Xavier Palomer (UB-IBUB-IRJSJD-CIBERDEM) as well as Professor Walter Wahli from the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) are involved in the work. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common chronic disease that results in high levels of circulating glucose — the cellular energy fuel — due to a deficient insulin response in the body. It can cause severe organ damage and is estimated to be under-diagnosed in a high percentage of the affected population worldwide. In patients, the glucose synthesis pathway in the liver (gluconeogenesis) is hyperactivated, a process that can be controlled by drugs such as metformin. “Recently, new factors involved in the control of hepatic gluconeogenesis have been identified. For example, a study by our group revealed that growth differentiation factor (GDF15) reduces the levels of proteins involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis”, says Professor Manuel Vazquez-Carrera, from the UB’s Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry. To make progress in the fight against this pathology, it will also be necessary to further study pathways such as TGF-b, which is involved in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), a very prevalent pathology that often coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus. “TGF-b plays a very relevant role in the progression of liver fibrosis and has become one of the most important factors that may contribute to increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and, therefore, to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, studying the involvement of the TGF-b pathway in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis could help to achieve better glycaemic control”, stresses Vazquez-Carrera. However, acting on a single factor to improve the regulation of gluconeogenesis does not seem to be a sufficient therapeutic strategy to adequately control the disease. “It would be important to be able to design combination therapies that could consider the different factors involved to improve the approach to type 2 diabetes mellitus”, Vazquez-Carrera says. “Today there are several molecules — TGF-b, TOX3, TOX4, etc. — that could be considered therapeutic targets for designing future strategies to improve patients’ well-being. Their efficacy and safety will determine their therapeutic success. We cannot lose sight of the fact that controlling the overactivation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus has an additional difficulty: it is a key pathway for making glucose available in fasting situations, it is finely modulated by numerous factors and this makes regulation difficult”, he adds. Interestingly, other factors involved in the control of gluconeogenesis have also been identified in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who showed high glucose levels. “Hyperglycaemia was very prevalent in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, which seems to be related to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to induce the activity of proteins involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis”, the expert notes. The mechanisms of action of metformin, the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis, are still not fully understood. It has now been discovered that the drug decreases gluconeogenesis via inhibition of complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This is a mechanism independent of the classical effects known until now through activation of the AMPK protein, a sensor of the cell’s energy metabolism. “Inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV activity by metformin — not complex I as previously thought — reduces the availability of substrates required for hepatic glucose synthesis”, says Vazquez-Carrera. In addition, metformin can also reduce gluconeogenesis through its effects on the gut, leading to changes that ultimately attenuate hepatic glucose production in the liver. “Thus, metformin increases glucose uptake and utilisation in the gut, and generates metabolites capable of inhibiting gluconeogenesis when they reach the liver via the portal vein. Finally, metformin also stimulates the secretion of GLP-1 in the intestine, a hepatic gluconeogenesis inhibitory peptide that contributes to its anti-diabetic effect”, he explained. (ANI) Source: Healthworld

June 03,2024 New Delhi: Delhi’s Karkardooma Court dismissed the bail plea of Dr Akash, who has been arrested in connection with the New Born Baby Care hospital fire case. In this case, eight babies have died so far. It was argued that Dr Akash was a trainee at the hospital. He was neither an employee nor in a supervisory capacity. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand dismissed the bail plea of Dr Akash after hearing submissions of defence counsel and an additional public prosecutor (APP). Advocate Naveen Kumar Singh, counsel for Dr Akash argued that he (Akash) is neither an employee, nor in a supervisory capacity. There is no appointment letter. He is a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). In January 2024, he joined the hospital as a trainee, the counsel added. It was also submitted that Akash was assisting the nursing staff. Dr Naveen Khichi does the treatment. The accused never treated any patients or gave any prescriptions. It is an old hospital. He is 26 years old; can he be given a supervisory capacity? defence counsel asked. He (Akash) was just following the instructions of the doctor and the nursing staff. He is 26 years old. How can he be in a supervisory role? It is the start of his career, he enrolled in 2023, the defence counsel added. It has also been submitted that it is an accident. This fire started on the second floor by a short circuit. Death happened due to suffocation, not burns. In this way, how can he be responsible for all this? The defence counsel also submitted that there is a lack of procedure. His career will be spoiled if he is kept in jail, accused is from a poor family; he is not influential, the counsel said. He further stated that the fire started on the second floor with the cylinder used for patient treatment. Before the arrival of police and fire staff, they rescued seven babies. There is a discrepancy between the dates of arrest May 26 and 27. Prosecution opposed his bail application. Additional public prosecutor (APP) argued that allegations are serious. The offence is punishable with life imprisonment. It is triable by court of session. This case should be transferred to court of session. The investigation was at initial stage, APP argued. It also submitted that accused was not a trainee. He was overall in charge in the night. He fled from the hospital. General public informed about the incidents. He did not inform the police or fire department; instead, he called Dr Naveen Khichi. Delhi Police also said that a dead body was also kept in ICU prior to this incident. High Court is also seized of the matter. It is also stated that one more baby has died. Total 8 babies have died so far. Defence counsel submitted in rebuttal that police have inquired into the cause of fire. What is his role in the fire? He (accused) saved 7 babies, the defence counsel said. Source: Healthworld

June 04,2024 New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all food companies to remove any claim of ‘100% fruit juices’ from the labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices with an immediate effect, it said in a statement. It has also asked all companies to exhaust all existing pre-printed packaging materials before September 1, 2024. “It has come to the attention of FSSAI that several FBOs have been inaccurately marketing various types of reconstituted fruit juices by claiming them to be 100 per cent fruit juices, ” FSSAI said in a statement on Monday. “Upon thorough examination, FSSAI has concluded that, according to the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, there is no provision for making a ‘100 per cent’ claim, “it added. Such claims are misleading, particularly under conditions where the major ingredient of the fruit juice is water and the primary ingredient, for which the claim is made, is present only in limited concentrations, or when the fruit juice is reconstituted using water and fruit concentrates or pulp, the food regulator said. India’s food laws makes it mandatory for food companies to mention the word “reconstituted” in the ingredient list against the name of the juice that is reconstituted from the concentrate. Additionally, if added nutritive sweeteners exceed 15 gm/kg, the product must be labelled as ‘sweetened juice’. Source: Healthworld

May 29,2024 New Delhi: During the ongoing 77th World Health Assembly, India hosted a side event on digital health which saw participation by the Quad countries (Australia, Japan and the US). The purpose of the event was to emphasise the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure for addressing social determinants of health. It was attended by delegates from over 100 countries highlighting collaborative efforts in advancing digital public infrastructure globally. Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary, and Head, Indian Delegation outlined India’s advancements in digital health. He highlighted the transformative role of digital health in ensuring equitable and accessible healthcare services, contributing to universal health coverage and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, that is good health and well-being. He emphasised India’s success in implementing digital public infrastructure at scale such as Aadhaar for digital identities, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for the financial transactions and effective health service delivery with Co-WIN during the pandemic. He informed that Co-WIN is being transformed into UWIN for the National Immunisation Programme. It will aid in linking and providing immunisation record of 30 million new born and mothers every year followed by Anganwadi and school health record. The Union Health Secretary also highlighted India’s effort under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a robust national digital health ecosystem. With over 618 million Unique Health IDs (ABHA IDs) generated, 268,000 health facilities registered, and 350,000 healthcare professionals enlisted, ABDM exemplifies India’s commitment to digital healthcare. He added that as part of ABDM, Government of India is launching the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) to transform the insurance payments ecosystem leveraging the public private partnership built on top of the digital public infrastructure. It will usher in the era of real time settlements with auto adjudication of claims. He also spotlighted other initiatives by Government of India to address health gaps using digital health. He stated, “AB PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) is the world’s largest public funded health assurance scheme providing a health cover of Rs 500,000 (Rs 5 Lakh) to 550 million (55 crore) needy and vulnerable population. The scheme has provided 70 million (7 crore) treatments worth $11.2 billion (Rs 89000 crore).” “e-Sanjeevani, the world’s largest telemedicine initiative, serving 241 million patients, including 57 per cent women and 12 per cent senior citizens has led to savings of $2.15 billion in out-of-pocket expenses,” he further stated. Additionally, the NI-KSHAY initiative for TB management and the SAKSHAM online learning platform for health professionals were also underscored as pivotal digital health innovations. India’s approach to leveraging DPI not only transforms healthcare delivery but also fosters a resilient, equitable society. The Union Health Secretary called for global collaboration to harness digital technologies for a healthier, more inclusive future. Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India at Geneva highlighted India’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency. Ambassador Bathsheba N Crocker, Permanent Representative of the US, Ambassador Atsuyuki Oike, Permanent Representative of Japan and Blair Exell, Deputy Secretary, Health Strategy, First Nations & Sport, Department of Health, Australia also shared their remarks on the experiences and contributions of their respective countries to digital health. They emphasised the importance of international cooperation in harnessing digital solutions for global health challenges. Dr Basant Garg, Additional CEO, National Health Authority, Govt of India, showcased India’s experiences with building robust digital public infrastructure environment with a brief presentation. Dr Garg presented an overview of the key components and functionalities of the infrastructure, demonstrating how it facilitates seamless health data exchange, improves service delivery, and enhances patient outcomes. He illustrated India’s journey in building a robust digital health ecosystem and its potential to serve as a model for other countries. The event concluded with another presentation by Prof Alain Labrique, Director, Digital Health & Innovation, WHO, who lauded the giant leap taken by India in implementing digital public infrastructure and demonstrating its ability in facilitating healthcare delivery at scale. He also highlighted the efforts of WHO in supporting countries in digital transformation in health. The side event underscored the pivotal role of digital health, particularly the digital public infrastructure approach in shaping the future of global healthcare and India emerging as a pioneer in citizen-centric digital health ecosystem. Source: Healthworld

May 29,2024 Geneva: At the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra assumed the pivotal role of leading committee and expressing commitment to steering the committee’s discussions effectively. Chandra emphasised aligning with the WHA theme, “All for Health, Health for all,” resonating with India’s ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). He underscored India’s global solidarity during the COVID-19 crisis, exemplified by vaccine distribution worldwide. Chandra’s tenure commenced with proactive diplomacy, engaging in a bilateral meeting with Lord Markham, Parliament Under Secretary of State, United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the WHA. The discussions centered on enhancing collaboration, particularly addressing mobility challenges for healthcare professionals to the UK. “I assure you that I will do my utmost to guide the deliberations of this committee in a productive and efficient manner… The World Health Assembly’s theme this year, ‘All for Health, Health for all,’ is much aligned with the core values and the ethos of India’s ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means the world is one family. During the ser-19 pandemic, India has not only managed the crisis within the country but also supplied vaccines and health-related products across the world, embodying the spirit of One World, One Family,” he said. India and the UK discussed some critical issues pertaining to the Memorandum of Understanding between two countries specifically in the area of mobility of health care professionals to the UK. India highlighted the ongoing work on building two digital portals – one to facilitate health care workforce mobility to other countries and another to facilitate medical value travel. India also emphasised on taking the bilateral cooperation further in the pharmaceutical sector to overcome challenges faced by Indian Pharma industry in meeting multiple regulatory systems covering the EU and the UK. The countries also discussed the critical issues related to International Health Regulations and Intergovernmental Negotiating Body and exchanged their views on the same. The meeting convened amidst the presence of Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary of the Union Health Ministry, and other senior officials. (ANI) Source: Healthworld

May 26,2024 New Delhi: Dr Uday Ananth Pai , a Mumbai-based paediatrician, has been troubled by an ethical dilemma over the past few years. The doctor has seen an alarming rise in the use of a class of medicines that are not approved to be prescribed for infants and children. Yet, even while their reckless use is known to cause health complications, he says, there is no let-up. A distraught Pai has finally decided to voice his views. He says doctors prescribe for children proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medicines that are mostly used to treat heartburn or acid reflux in adults. Even among adults, these are used in worrying numbers and are not always prescribed for indications approved by regulators anywhere in the world. PPIs are drugs that work by inhibiting acid secretions in the stomach. It brings fast relief in cases of peptic ulcers and episodes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is stomach acids flowing back into the tube connecting the mouth and the esophagus. PPIs are available as tablets, capsules and injections and are becoming as ubiquitous as a Crocin to manage fever. The reason for the popularity of PPIs among doctors and patients is not tough to gauge. With unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits, acidity is common among Indians. While many brands of PPIs are sold almost over-the-counter, Pan, Pantop, Omez, and Rablet fly off the chemist’s shelves. He says pantoprazole is prescribed for children but warns that it cannot be recommended to anyone below the age of 1 year. Pantoprazole leads in PPI categories. Amit Mookim, MD of IQVIA South Asia , which tracks prescription trends, says while many new brands have entered this segment, the top players have consolidated their positions. Pantoprazole and its combination products contribute nearly 50 per cent of the market and are growing. One of the key factors driving increased usage, he says, is co-prescription of PPI molecules with amoxicillin & clavulanate fixed dose combination and paracetamol and its fixed dose combination, which has increased significantly over the last five years. Co-prescription refers to a medicine that a doctor adds to increase or suppress the effects of a drug used to address the actual illness. Source: Healthworld

May 30,2024 New Delhi: Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, has moved a public interest litigation at the Delhi High Court raising objections against the government’s lax regulatory framework to assess the quality, safety and efficacy of second- hand or used medical devices. Well-placed industry sources told ET HealthWorld that the writ petition moved recently has called for a comprehensive review of government regulations for medical equipment and devices that are used but refurbished and then imported into the country. A key point of the petition is to issue orders to “illegal importers” while also identifying and furnishing a list of all second-hand and refurbished high-end and high value used medical equipment that have been imported into India since 2019 without the permission of the ministry of environment. It further calls for imposition of penalty on importers of such illegal imports. The industry executive quoted above termed recent office memorandums from government institutions as a “disappointing step,” adding those who invested in building manufacturing capacity over the last few years in response to PM Modi’s call for self-reliance are now confused about the policies. “This bulldozes the Make in India dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he noted. Experts say the market for medical devices in India is largely dominated by imports of used and refurbished and reconditioned products. For MNC device makers, the person noted, that portion comprises as much as 80 per cent of total sales. This however could not be independently verified. “The rampant increase in the import of such devices requires a stringent regulatory mechanism to ensure the safety of the citizens is never compromised,” the person said, backing the PIL. Last year, news reports said the government had allowed imports of about 50 pre-owned medical devices such as MRIs and CT-scans other than critical care medical equipment, with the aim of making expensive devices available to smaller hospitals. That decision however sparked a controversy with rival groups – the domestic device makers and representatives from global companies – trading charges against each other. The domestic device makers noted the decision will lead to dumping of obsolete medical devices even while such devices are available from indigenous companies, those supporting the MNCs maintained that the decision was progressive and enabled access to sophisticated equipment and will lead to better healthcare outcomes. Source: Healthworld

June 03,2024 New Delhi: A study by the Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation has revealed that 20 per cent of cancer patients in Delhi and other cities of the country are below the age of 40 years. Of these, 60 per cent are male and 40 per cent are female, indicating the rise of the disease among the younger generation. The study was conducted among 1,368 patients across India who called the foundation’s cancer helpline number from March 1 to May 15. The highest number of calls were from Hyderabad (145), followed by Meerut (96), Mumbai (76), and New Delhi (74). In the United States, the American Cancer Society has also reported that the demographics of cancer patients are increasingly shifting from older to middle-aged people. Recently, under the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign, a free-of-cost national cancer helpline number, 93-555-20202, was launched. It is operational from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Patients can call this number to speak with leading oncologists or even do a video call to discuss their treatment without paying any fees. The study found that head and neck cancer were the most prevalent cases, accounting for 26 per cent of patients. This was closely followed by gastrointestinal cancers at 16 per cent , breast cancer at 15 per cent , and then blood cancers at 9 per cent . These findings are in line with the Globocan national data for India. The study also found that 27 per cent of cases diagnosed were in stages I and II of cancer, whereas 63 per cent were in stages III or IV. Most of the patients who called the helpline number were seeking second opinion. They wanted to confirm whether their treatment was correct and up-to-date, and to check the availability of any latest treatments or medicines for their respective cancers. In cancer treatment, new medicines are approved almost every week, so this is an important reason to seek another opinion, said oncologists. The second most common question the study found was: patients asking what stage their cancer is in, indicating the importance of education for them. Thirdly, patients commonly asked about their family members and what they can do to prevent cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening and awareness. Dr Ashish Gupta, principal investigator and senior oncologist who is heading this campaign, said, “In our country, escalating rates of obesity, changes in dietary habits, specifically the increase in consumption of ultra-processed food, and sedentary lifestyles are also associated with higher cancer rates. We must adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol to prevent the risk of cancer in the younger generation.” Source: Healthworld