Nishit and LONDON Nil briefly discuss starting breakout rooms in a few minutes. Nishit then recites a poetic message multiple times, inviting people to join a free global online episode on cancer care and awareness on Sunday. Amrita then introduces herself as the host of the episode and leads a chanting session to begin the program.

The discussion focuses on raising awareness about cancer, its early detection, and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding it. Kirit Mistry highlights the NHS’s Core 20 plus 5 program for early diagnosis and screening, emphasizing the need for early detection to improve outcomes. Dr. Lalit Sodha, a chiropractor, shares his experience in recognizing potential cancer symptoms and referring patients for further testing. The speakers stress the importance of attending screenings, particularly for breast and prostate cancer, and encourage open conversations about cancer within communities to overcome taboos and improve early detection rates.

Isha discusses the work of Access Life Assistance Foundation, which provides support for children with cancer in India. The foundation offers free housing, meals, hospital transport, and emotional care for children aged 0-14 undergoing cancer treatment, primarily serving underprivileged families from rural areas. Isha explains that the organization started in 2014 and now has 10 centers across India, working with affiliated hospitals to support children during their 6-8 month treatments. The most common cancers they see are blood cancers and tumors, with a recent increase in tumor cases among children over 10 years old.

The discussion focuses on childhood cancer in India, particularly among underprivileged communities. Isha explains that the main causes are often negligence, poor living conditions, and lack of education about symptoms. She notes that most affected children come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in rural areas. The conversation also touches on the high success rate of childhood cancer treatment (85-90%) and the importance of early detection. Isha highlights the holistic approach of Access Life, an organization providing accommodation, nutrition, and support for families dealing with childhood cancer in India.

The discussion focuses on ovarian cancer awareness and support. Victoria, CEO of Overcome, a UK-based ovarian cancer support charity, presents information about the disease. She explains the main symptoms of ovarian cancer using the acronym BEAT: Bloating, Eating difficulties, Abdominal pain, and Toilet changes. Victoria emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and self-advocacy, as ovarian cancer is often mistaken for other conditions. She notes that cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer, which is a common misconception. Victoria also highlights the advancements in treatment options over the past decade and the various support services offered by Overcome, including an international online forum and information available in multiple languages.

Victoria presents information about an upcoming event featuring Manisha Koirala, a Bollywood star and ovarian cancer survivor, who will be speaking about her career and cancer journey on July 13th in London. The event aims to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, challenge stigmas, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis. Victoria emphasizes that Ovacome provides support and information in multiple languages, including interpreter services for 150 languages on their helpline. She also mentions their focus on targeted outreach campaigns to specific communities and their expert advisory panel of 32 specialists. The discussion touches on the importance of celebrity involvement, community partnerships, and addressing health inequalities to improve ovarian cancer awareness and care.

Nalini shares her personal journey with ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with at age 44. She experienced symptoms like bloating and heartburn for six months before receiving a proper diagnosis, as doctors initially dismissed her concerns. Nalini faced cultural challenges and lack of mental health support during her treatment. She has since become a cancer connector, sharing her story to raise awareness in her community. Victoria from a cancer support organization emphasizes the importance of keeping symptom diaries and self-advocating when seeking medical help. Both discuss how diagnosis and awareness have improved over time, though challenges remain in early detection of ovarian cancer.

The discussion covers several topics related to cancer awareness and prevention. Nalini, a cancer survivor, emphasizes the importance of talking about one’s experiences and seeking medical help promptly. Rasha, a PhD researcher, presents statistics on cancer incidence and mortality worldwide and in the UK. She highlights differences in cancer rates among ethnic groups and discusses risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. Rasha also explains the role of genetics and epigenetics in cancer development, emphasizing that lifestyle factors and stress management are crucial for prevention. She suggests various ways to maintain health, including positive thinking, walking, and stress reduction techniques like tapping.

Dr. Rasha discusses the barriers to cancer awareness and screening in UK ethnic minority communities, particularly for breast cancer. She highlights cultural and religious taboos, misinformation spread within communities, and low screening attendance rates. To overcome these barriers, Dr. Rasha emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about early detection through screening, obtaining information from reliable sources, and encouraging participation in research to understand how cancer affects different ethnicities. She also stresses the significance of positive thinking, social connections, and maintaining a strong immune system for cancer prevention.

The UK doctor discusses lifestyle medicine as a powerful ally in cancer prevention, recovery, and resilience for survivors. They explain that the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research provide robust evidence on how lifestyle choices impact cancer risk. The doctor outlines six key pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connections, and avoiding risky substances. They emphasize that up to 50% of cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes, particularly in diet, weight, and physical activity. The doctor provides practical recommendations for each pillar, tailored for South Asian communities, including dietary swaps, movement “snacks”, sleep hygiene tips, stress reduction techniques, and leveraging cultural practices for social connection. They also discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and waist circumference, especially for South Asian populations who may have increased health risks at lower BMI levels compared to other groups.

The presentation introduces a research study on breast cancer survivors’ mental health and body perception. Stephanie and Khushi from King’s College London are seeking participants who have completed primary or secondary breast cancer treatment or are currently undergoing secondary treatment. The study aims to understand how anxiety, stress, and physical experiences change after cancer diagnosis to shape future support for breast cancer patients. Participants will complete a 30-minute survey about their diagnosis, treatment, mental health, and feelings about their body. The researchers emphasize the importance of including diverse voices, particularly South Asian women, who are often underrepresented in such studies.