HEALTH

Tulip Magazine focuses on some of the most common misunderstandings associated with breast cancer. We have also enlisted Dr Crystal Fancher, a surgical breast Oncologist to help us clear all myths associated with Breast Cancer.

1. Can a breast injury cause breast cancer? Injury to the breast cannot cause breast cancer, however, it can cause changes in the breast that may mimic breast cancer on imaging. The best way to distinguish cancer from fat necrosis is with a needle biopsy.

2. Can underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer? The wire can irritate the skin under the breast, which can lead to skin breakdown. This breakdown may allow bacteria to enter the breast causing infection, [an] abscess. Although underwire bras do not increase breast cancer risk, I always recommend bras without a wire.

3. No one in my family had breast cancer, so is it possible that even I won’t develop it? It is very common for [people] with a new breast cancer diagnosis to tell me how shocked they are considering that they have no family history. Because family history is only one factor in the risk of breast cancer, screening is important. If you are a woman and at least 40 years old, please get your screening mammograms!

4. Can stress cause Breast Cancer? With the ever-present stresses of modern life, it is no surprise that people are concerned about how stress might impact health. There is absolutely no evidence to support a link between stress and breast cancer. In fact, there is evidence to support that stress does not increase breast cancer risk. Part of being human is finding effective ways to deal with the stress we all will inevitably face. This can have profound health benefits both mentally and physically but will do nothing to mitigate breast cancer risk.

5. Does Breast Cancer only happen to older adults? While it is true that breast cancer risk increases as women age and the average age of a new breast cancer diagnosis are 61 years, breast cancer can occur much earlier. About 5% of new breast cancer diagnoses are in women under the age of 40 years. There, unfortunately, have been reports of women in their early 20s and even teens who were diagnosed.

6. Does carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer? There is no evidence to support that cell phones cause cancer, period. “However, we do not have any long-term studies, so we may find this to be the case in the future. For now, why can’t you just put your phone in your pocket or bag?”

7. Do Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk? This is clearly a myth. nipple piercings do not increase breast cancer risk. However, they can lead to complications, such as infection, abscess, difficulty breastfeeding due to blocked ducts from scar tissue, nerve damage, keloids, cysts, and more rare but serious illness from HIV and hepatitis B and C.”

8. Does Sugar Cause Breast Cancer? Too much sugar can result in obesity, which is a risk factor for breast cancer. Studies investigating links between sugar and breast cancer have been “mixed and inconsistent. While discussing sugar, it is worth busting a related myth: that sugar helps tumours grow. This myth arose because cancer cells divide rapidly and, therefore, need a lot of energy.

9. Can men get breast cancer? Men have breasts. So yes, they too get breast cancer. While breast cancer is more common in women than men, there are still men who get breast cancer. It’s important for men also to be aware of any changes in their breasts since there are no recommended screening guidelines for men.

10. If there is no lump, there is no cancer. Is this true? If this were true, then we would not need mammograms. Many breast cancers are found on screening mammograms and may not be felt. This is especially true for noninvasive breast cancer which may only show up as calcifications on a screening mammogram.

Veganism

A Dying Trend or a Promising Lifestyle

“There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.”

– Charles Darwin

India has seen a clear spike in the vegan lifestyle in the past few years. Currently, the nation encompasses 23 to 37 percent of vegetarians according to government research. It is not just the reason for animal cruelty that has led to the rise in adoption of the vegan lifestyle by many, but also concerns regarding environmental impact, and health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Veganism is not just about a vegan diet. Vegans avoid using animal-derived products or those that have been tested on animals. It includes avoiding products that have everything from animal leather, silk from the silkworm, sheep wool, marine products, or other animal-tested products like makeup, shampoo, etc. From meat to milk, every edible animal food product has a plant-based and vegan substitute available in the Indian market today. These options might have been limited in the past but since the pandemic, people have been thinking more about their lifestyle choices and with this increase in awareness, brands are also coming up with Vegan alternatives for almost all the categories thus leading to the growing popularity of veganism in India.

WELLNESS | To understand the subject at hand better, we spoke to one of the most vocal advocates of Veganism in this city - Harsha Komet

Harsha is an enthusiastic soul striving to bring people of similar mindsets together, almost building a tribe. She is extremely passionate about art, mental health, a vegan lifestyle, having meaningful conversations, and traveling. She turned Vegan 4 years ago and never looked back. With her ‘as real as real can get’ Instagram feed, she inspires her tribe to choose humanity, empathy, and sustainability over all else.

Let’s hear more about her Vegan journey in her words.

Harsha Komet Instagram: @harsha.komet

Q. How was your relationship with food growing up? I come from a Marwadi family and I’ve been a vegetarian all my life. Growing up, I always enjoyed the food. My mother is a passionate cook and my family to date supports my lifestyle choices. The most difficult part was to give up ghee and it was inevitable once I dived deep into the Vegan waters. Q. How were you introduced to the Vegan diet and how did you come to the decision of following it? It was an instant decision once I became aware of artificial insemination. Overnight I turned vegan and haven’t looked back in 4 years now. Q. I've seen people be more skeptical about milk alternatives than meat alternatives so any suggestions on that? I always prefer having naturally vegan items instead of mock stuff. I directly take Almonds instead of almond milk, soy as a curry, etc. Q. It is assumed that the vegan lifestyle is expensive. Is it really? Any everyday small changes we can make? No, veganism isn’t expensive. From Pani puri and yummy chat to healthy good food, it’s all available in a reasonable amount. I believe in investing in my food and health, dry fruits and veggies are all vegan. It’s the mock stuff that’s expensive and I don’t think taste exceeds my willpower to eat healthily.

Q. Did you see any health benefits (physical, mental, or emotional) and Any observable advantages due to this shift? All of them. I cured PCOD, Asthma and so many diseases through a vegan lifestyle. It is super sustainable, close to nature, and products that have a smaller shelf life which means lesser preservatives and thus lesser side effects. Mentally I know the energy shift is great because I’m not included in torture and so, living a guilt-free life. Q. There is a huge buzz on vegan beauty products in the market and people are slowly understanding that the Vegan lifestyle is not just about diet changes. Any comments on that or any suggestions? I’m glad! Animal testing is HORRIBLE, I’m currently using vegan products and they are all very homemade vibe.

WELLNESS |

Q. Advice to the new Vegans/ Where can one start their journey? Pain or pleasure, extremity brings change for me, I’ve had a very strong self-talk for my vegan journey and would suggest every new vegan - be clear with their reason to do so. Just know your intentions matter more than anything else, nature and the animal kingdom blessing you, be at it. Go to a nutritionist, practice mindful eating and just dive in, your compassion will increase and you’ll feel good in the gut.

Q. Many argue that certain vitamin deficiencies are inevitable and that earliest of men were always omnivorous, what would you like to say about that? All, yes, I’d like to say ‘All’ my friends who are nonveggie/ veggie don’t have the health that I do. Mentally and physically, I am way stronger. My life is an example and I will continue to believe that nature is absolutely taking care of me, we do not need to kill for that.

Q. How was your overall journey as a Vegan? I was bullied when I started my vegan journey, it didn’t help me to fight with people and call them hypocrites. The whole point of nonviolence is more love and compassion, so now every time I have a conversation instead of polluting it, I just become kinder and use a soft tone with people who don’t get veganism. It’s beautiful how after veganism, my life has changed 360 degrees.

- By Sindhoora Repaka