Issue 2: September, 2015 ...indiancancersocietydelhi.in/wp-content/uploads/... · World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was celebrated at Naval Children's School,

Website : www.indiancancersocietydelhi.in

Newsletter of the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi.

Issue 2: September, 2015

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The Narcissus flower or Nargis in Hindi, Persian and Urdu poetry, represents the Beloved’s eye. It is also the symbol of hope eternal, for its shy presence perfumes the air of the darkest winter and hints of brighter times ahead. Cancer Survivors similarly are living symbols of hope and happiness.

Cancer Help Line : 26499572 Extn. 26, 9910516562

Editor : Beeta Mehta, Translation : Anjali Soni

Paper for this issue of Nargis is sponsored by “Ballarpur Industries Ltd.”

EditorialDear Readers,

Indian Cancer Society has believed in letting our work speak for itself. For over 3 decades, our Trained Volunteers have gone about their business, quietly & efficiently. However, there comes a time in every Organization when we need to step back & count our achievements and pat ourselves on the back. So, let’s count the “Bright Spots”.

We have lived by our Vision of “the Conquest of Cancer by Choice; not Chance”, choosing our area of work with care & then addressing it with dedication. The sheer body of work over 3 decades of existence is attracting attention.

We seldom see ICS as a Role Model for NGO’s across the Globe as yet, but this too is changing. The latest batch of International Interns have just returned to their Home Countries, so impressed by ICS & its Volunteers, expressing their appreciation of the sheer volume & quality of work undertaken by Volunteers, whether in Awareness Talks, Screening or Patient Support. The concept of Healing through Complimentary Therapies was new & exciting. The introduction of the ‘Human Element”, “Healing with Laughter & Love” was a moving experience. These young people will be our best Ambassadors.

Lets count more recognition in just the past quarter:

l ICS was one of only 3 National NGO’s invited to the Lok Sabha by its Consultative Committee on Tobacco on Plain packaging in July 2015.

l ICS was invited to meet Members of the Partnership to fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), recognizing our interest in fighting Non-Communicable Disease.

l ICS was invited to participate in a WHO Consultation on NCDs.

l ICS was invited to an on-line TV discussion on Tobacco Taxation with Panelists from the Central Board of Taxes& Ministry of Health.

l ICS is the Administrative Partner on the NDTV Cancerthon, to get Donor money to reach Child Patients, and the list could go on. We hold camps, give awareness talks in bastis, schools, colleges, corporate houses etc, we hold radio talks twice a month, and after each on of these, we get inundated with calls on the helpline.. We give financial support to the under privileged and our trained volunteers go to 10 hospitals to give emotional support to cancer patients and their families.

A word about our volunteers. We are a trained and dedicated band of people. We have chosen to do this work because we believe that with millions falling prey to this dreaded disease, there is a constant need to spread awareness and help out in every way that we can.

Having shared all this with you, our Readers, let me also say that none of this would have been possible without your hand in it. Our grateful thanks for being there and encouraging us in our endeavours and we hope that we can always work together in the future too. We need a Community to fight Cancer as a major Health Hazard. So please come forward to contribute in any way that you can - from our own families to the greater family of our Nation.

Our upcoming events are given in this issue, please mark the dates and be with us.

" The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively, and draws back to himself positive results" - Norman Vincent Peale.

So stay positive, stay healthy.

Beeta Mehta

Since 2012, ICS has welcomed International Interns from AIESEC, the International Student body. They come in batches of 6-10 young people. Initially, the students were from a general stream, but as news spread about the content of ICS internship, we get more students from Medicine, Pharmacology, and Micro-biology streams. ICS has entertained 2 batches of students in 2015. We do not take large batches despite the pressure from various quarters.

We take Interns through an Orientation about ICS, our Vision & Mission; our reasons for what we do. We then talk about Cancer in modules on the most common ones in India. Talk disease to Medical Students? Yes! Because they need to understand how to parley their knowledge to the language of the common man. Knowledge is useless without the skill of communication. Communication can be through words, through dance & aerobics, laughter, the fine arts, etc. (If we give them ideas, they bring in innovation, enthusiasm & energy!)

Interns visit all ICS facilities – the Cancer Detection Centre to see Primary Preventive Screening in action, both at the Babar Road Centre & through Mobile Camps, where people overcome their fear of stigma, & avail the screening process. They also see high end tele-medicine in action, taking the latest techniques to the poorest places. ICSConnect, the electronic data collection is an eye-opener.

Awareness Volunteers take them to various locations in the city to allow them a peep into the way citizens live in the under-belly of a great city; & how hungry they are for knowledge.

Prashanti is always light relief after the intensity of Awareness & Screening programmes. Without exception they come to realize the role of love, laughter, touch & care in the Healing process. They realize the needs of Parents & Caregivers as much as the children they care for.

Hospital visits with Sahyog take them from the crowds of AIIMS/IRCH to the 7-star facilities of a Fortis or Medanta. They are impressed by the quality of care in the most crowded centres. A visit to RGCI&RC is the high point of Hospital

International InternsOur Survivor Volunteers are in attendance at the following Clinics:

Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Fridays 02:30 p.m. - 04:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Kalpana Bakshi Mob. 9990160936

Wednesday 02:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m.Thursdays 02:00 p.m - 04:00 p.m.Saturdays 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator :

Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Thursdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Rashmi Vohra Mob. 9871554777

Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Fridays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Usha Ohri Mob. 9810366982

Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Tuesdays/Thursdays BCC 2.00 p.m. - 04.00 p.m.Coordinator : Vandana Aggarwal Mob. 9910784229

Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Sangeeta Malhotra Mob. 9810016547

Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Brig. S.C.Sharma Mob. 9810948658

Mondays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Indra Jasuja Mob. 9958804370

Fridays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Kamal Srinivasan Mob. 9818486492

Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Co-ordinator : Kiran Jaitley Mob. 9899273201

IRCH

AIIMS (Fifth Floor Breast Clinic)

Army R&R Hospital

Batra Hospital

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute

B L Kapoor Memorial Hospital, Pusa Road

Fortis , NOIDA

Medicity, Gurgaon

Artemis, Gurgaon

Fortis , Gurgaon

Sneh Kapur Mob. 9717320733

Cancer Detection Centre

Cancer Sahyog

Prashanti

No.42, Babar Road, New Delhi.Tel : 23716941

Indian Cancer Society, 86/1, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi - 110049Tel : 011-26499572, 26494907Email : [email protected]

“Diagnostic, Healing and Rehab Center”(An initiative of INDIAN CANCER SOCIETY for LALA DIWAN CHAND TRUST)11/70, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi - 110 024Tel : 011-41729393Email : [email protected]

Call for Volunteers

We need volunteers who can provide hope, courage and strength to newly diagnosed patients undergoing cancer treatment. If you are a cancer survivor in good health, please contact us.

Help a Cancer PatientYour donation will help a patient obtain expensive cancer drugs.Rs 1000/- will pay for fruit juice and biscuits for one day. This is given to patients four times a week.Please send your cheques to :Indian Cancer Society (Cancer Sahyog)86/1 Ground Floor, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi - 110049.Donations are exempt from Income Tax under section 80G of the IT Act 1961

Cancer InsuranceCancer treatment is expensive. Avail of Cancer Insurance for yourself and your family

For Details Contact :

INDIAN CANCER SOCIETY86/1 Ground Floor, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi - 110049.Tel : 011-26499572, Telefax : 26494907E-mail : [email protected] : www.indiancancersocietydelhi.in

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Events...

RISE AGAINST CANCER was a mega event held at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium on the 31st January 2015. We had a large and enthusiastic participation from schools, NGOs, Army, Navy, NCC and Corporates, with a walk from the stadium and around Meher Chand Market. Holding placards with messages about cancer, shouting slogans and performing Nukkad Nataks along the way, the walk grabbed many eyeballs. The air was festive and energised with the Navy and the DPS bands playing, songs sung by the NCC, DPS and ICS volunteers. The photos say it all!!

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD)

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was celebrated at Naval Children's School, thChanakyapuri on the 17 April. 17 schools participated in the Skit & Poster

Competition with a lot of thought having gone into the performances as well as the drawing of the posters.

The winners in the Skit Competition were: st nd rdJuniors : 1 Shiv Nadar School; 2 DPS Sec 45, Gurgaon; 3 Navy Children

School.st nd rd Seniors : 1 Shri Ram School; 2 Blue Bells Model School; 3 Gyan Mandir Public

school.

Winners in the Poster Competition were:st nd rdJuniors : 1 DPS Vasant Vihar; 2 Shiv Nadar School; 3 The Army Public School,

Dhaula Kuan.Consolation Prizes were given to Navy Children School, Red Roses Public School, Army Public School.

st nd rdSeniors : 1 DPS Sec 45 Gurgaon; 2 KR Mangalam World School; 3 Gyan Bharti School.

visits. ICS thanks the Doctors at all Hospitals for opening doors of their treatment centres to young & curious minds. Sahyog Volunteers are STARS in their mind! They see & absorb the caring touch, the sensitive handling of patients of every class; they observe the courtesy extended to tired caregivers. Every nuance is observed & commented on.

Having watched ICS in action, they go into 2 schools to give knowledge & new skills back to the Community. Their end-of-Internship Reports are very instructive in their observation & carry-home messaging.

So, why does ICS accept Interns? As one Volunteer pointed out, they take up space, time & effort for a month each time. They do not give back monetary contribution or encashable connections to their Embassies. On the other hand, they take back an impression of ICS that the best PR Agency would find hard to sell. ICS reputation travels well across the Globe with each young person. Is “reputation” an asset to treasure? Should ICS only concentrate on material returns? I would like to remind our well-wishers that every activity of ICS gives out to the Community in greater measure than we receive. Yet we continue to grow from strength to strength. Is the additional fund raising we undertake every year to keep Programmes running worth it?I believe so.

- Jyotsna Govil

We Have Been Busy...

ICS PICNIC

On the 10th Feb, the volunteers let their hair down at the annual picnic graciously hosted in Rita Bhalla's home. The weather, the food and the games made for a fun afternoon!

ARTIST AGAINST CANCER

Our annual programme, Artist Against Cancer, was held at IHC on the 26th March 2015. We are grateful to Padamshri Shovana Narayan (Kathak) and Dr Kumud Dewan (Thumri), who took time out for us and enthralled the

audience with their amazing performances. Our gratitude to Mrs Gursharan Kaur, (wife of former PM, Mr Manmohan Singh) for always supporting our cause and gracing the occasion as our Chief Guest.

ICS participated in the Festival of Hope on the 23rd May with top designers, J J Vallaya, Rohit Bal and Sumeet Verma showcasing their clothes.

Festival of Hope World Tour on Bicycle

Anirban Acharya, a young man from Kolkata, who had interned with ICS was flagged off from the Cancer Detection Centre on the 5th June as he began his World Tour on a bicycle, carrying the message of the Importance of Early Detection.

GOOD SAMARITANS

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention"- Oscar Wilde.

We are grateful to:

lQuality Offset, Mr & Mrs Dewan, the Corporate CB&I and Times Of India for making the Gurgaon Cyclothon such a success.

lThe Army & Navy for the T Shirts, Snacks and the huge support on ground for Rise Against Cancer.

lMercer employees for raising funds for ICS , for helping at the event RAC, for sponsoring screenings under it's CSR programme and for helping to upload data entries of persons who come to the CDC for screenings.

lNDMC Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum, Meenu Creations, Mazagon Docks, Shadilal, Minda Charitable Trust and everyone else who helped us for Artist Against Cancer.

lSanjay Nayar, PHD, Dr Ritu Arora, PNB, Magneti Marcelli & Power Train Ltd for sponsoring Mobile Camps.

lUTI for sponsoring 3000 male screenings & 1800 female screenings under it's CSR programme. ICS Delhi is working in partnership with Mahila Panchayats with support from Delhi Commission for Women to execute this year long project.

lPathways Middle School, Gurgaon who collected Rs 1.5 lakhs to run a Cancer Detection Camp for their adopted village district residents.

lSharmila of Beats & Fusion Studio for organising a Zumba evening and donating Rs 30,000 to ICS for its Awareness Programmes.

lPepsi & Dabur for their constant support in all our events.

and last but not the least, to each one of you who walk with us ever step of the way..we say a big THANK YOU.

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IT'S GOOD TO KNOW...

Q 1: What causes Cancer? What are it's Risk Factors?

Answer : Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. There is no single cause of cancer. Some of the risk factors for cancer include :lGenetic factors.lLifestyle factors like tobacco usage, diet, physical activitylCertain type of infection like HPV, Hepatitis B, C viruslSun & UV exposurelChemicals & Radiation exposure.

Q 2: Does lifestyle alter your chances of getting Cancer?

Answer : Research has shown that a poor diet and not being active are the 2 key factors that increase a persons cancer risk. Around one third of all cancer deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity and being obese.

Q 3: Is Cancer hereditary?

Answer : Genes play a role in the development of some cancers. The link is the strongest for breast, bowel & ovarian cancers. However, only 5 - 10 % cancers are hereditary.

Q 4: At what age should Screening Mammography be applied?

Answer : In India doctors generally advise to get a mammography done once every 2 years after the age of 40 and once a year after 50.

Q 5: Is a brain scan required?

Answer : A regular brain scan is not recommended as part of either initial treatment or follow up. An imaging of the brain is performed only if the patient becomes symptomatic like persistent headaches, double vision, persistent vomiting etc.

Q 6: Chemo - Individualised? or one size fits all?

Answer : It is an era of personalised treatment i.e right treatment for the right patient at the right dosage. We should understand that all of us are different individuals, so is cancer. Cancer is not one disease, which is why the treatment of one patient is different from the other and so are the side effects. One shoe does not fit all, as far as cancer treatment is concerned.

Q 7: How important is Follow up ? and how frequently?

Answer : Follow up is very important after the treatment is over as there may be chances of recurrence (depending on the stage, biology of tumor). Patients are usually asked to follow up every 3 months for a physical examination. A routine follow up PET CT is NOT advised.

Q 8 : What is the role of counselling at all stages of treatment?

Answer : Counselling is of utmost importance, if not the most important in the battle with cancer. It is very important for the patient to understand the disease, the treatment that is being offered, the side effects and the benefits of the treatment. Counselling helps a patient as well as the caregivers to cope and be well prepared for the challenges that may come their way.

SAVE THE DATES

lAnnual Seminar , 16th Oct 2015, Main Auditorium, PHD Chamber of Commerce, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi 110049.

lRise Against Cancer2nd Nov 2015 - DPS Sect 45 Gurgaon , 19th Nov 2015 - DPS Vasant Vihar.

lRadio TalksEvery 1st & 3rd Friday of the Month on FM Gold 106.4 MHZ, 1.10 - 1.45 pm

"Cancer -The Looming Threat & Perils of Wilful Ignorance"9.30 am - 1.30pm,

Mudras that can result in amazing health benefits

Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness):

Apana Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Heart):

Surya Mudra (Mudra of Sun):

Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life):

Linga Mudra (Mudra of Heat):

Apana Mudra (Mudra of Digestion):

thumb while the other two fingers are stretched out.

Method:Specialty: Keep the middle finger at the mount of It plays an important role in our health as it Venus and press it with thumb.regulates the excretory system.

Specialty:Time Duration:It reduces the dullness in our body.Practice it daily for 45 minutes, but practice

Time Duration: for longer time yields more benefits.One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily

Benefits:until to be cured from the disease.It regulates diabetes

Benefits: It cures constipation and pilesIt relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes It helps excreting the normal waste regularlyIt is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.

Method:The tips of the middle finger and ring finger

Method: touch the tip of thumb, while the index finger Bend the ring finger and press it with thumb. touches the base of thumb and little finger Specialty: stretched out..It sharpens the center in thyroid gland. Specialty:Time Duration: It benefits the heart. It works like injection in Practice it daily twice for 5 to 15 minutes. the reduction of heart attack. It is as powerful

as sorbitate tablet. It reduces the gas content in body.Benefits:It reduces cholesterol in body and helps in Time Duration: reducing weight Practice it as many times as you can. Heart patients and It reduces anxiety BP patients can practice it for 15 minutes daily twice for It corrects indigestion problems better results.

Benefits:It strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitationIt regulates excretory system

Method: It redeems gastric trouble Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.

Method: Specialty:Interlock the fingers of both the As it is the mudra of life, it improves the hands and keep the thumb of the left power of life. Weak people become strong. hand vertically straight and encircle it It reduces the clamps in blood vessels. If we with the thumb and the index finger of practice it regularly, we will become active.the right hand..

Time Duration:Specialty:No specific time duration. One can practice it any time.It generates heat in our body. Take milk, ghee, more

Benefits: water and fruit juices in addition to practice of this mudra It improves immunity for much benefits.Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseasesIt removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue

Method:The tips of middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of

Time Duration:Practice it any time you want. But don't practice it a lot as it produces heat in the body.. It can cause sweating even in winter if you practice it longer.

Benefits: It stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungsIt cures severe cold and bronchial infectionIt invigorates the body

...Continued from Nargis, January 2015

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You will be missed

Screening Can Help Prevent Cancer Deaths

Checking for Cancer or for conditions that MAY become Cancer in people who have no symptoms is called SCREENING. Early detection could substantially reduce millions of Rupees spent on cancer treatment each year. Not only does cancer screening save lives by detecting breast, cervical andcolorectal cancer early, it is also the first step in preventing many colorectal and cervical cancer from ever developing.It is estimated that screening results in mortality reduction ranging from 3 to 35 %, depending on various factors. Most of the screen detected cancers would require less mutilating operations with much less hospital stay and the cost of treatment. However, it can be helpful to discuss the pros and cons of any screening investigations with the oncologist before having them done, because some screening tests can have potential harms as well as benefits.Be sure to mention any family history of cancer. A family history of a certain cancer, as well as habits may mean that the risk is higher than normal. The doctor may suggest testing at an earlier age or using a different test than recommended in the normal guidelines.Many times there are NO warning signs of cancer, but sometimes there are, so one has to be vigilant and know one's own body. Some of these warning signs are:

lA new lump/bump anywhere in the body, specially if it is painless and is growing

l Excessive bleeding during periods or bleeding between periods or after intercourse

lBlood in stool, urine, sputum or vomit

lDifficulty in swallowing in the absence of throat infection

l Change in bowel habits - type of stool, frequency of stool

l Ulcer that is not healing (ie mouth ulcer)

l A mole that is changing colour, usually darker and starts to itch or bleed

Many cancer deaths could be avoided if more people went in for screening, yet many adults are not getting regular recommended life saving screenings done.

Make Cancer Screenings a part of your regular Medical Check up.

Inputs from: Cancer Detection & Prevention. US Dept of Health, National Cancer Instutute, Canadian Cancer Society And Dr Vedant Kabra

1. The Life Saving Dot

In an effort to increase awareness of nutritional requirements, and to bring simple tech into complex customs, Neelvasant Medical Foundation & Research Centre has joined forces with an ad agency, Grey Group Singapore, to create the "Life Saving Dot." It is an adhesive-backed felt bindi embedded with iodine, and it dispenses the daily-required amount of the chemical into the wearer's body via their skin while its worn.The plan is to combat iodine deficiencies using bindis, as these are worn by girls and women and could help them avoid cancer and malnutrition.

It is not a commonly known fact that iodine plays an important role in decreasing the risk of fibrocystic breast disease, breast cancer, and complications at birth. A certain degree of protection is given by the consumption of iodized salt, but this may not be adequate or available to all.

The 'life-saving dot' is colorful and self-adhesive, like many other cosmetic bindis available in India.

Starting in mid-March, the program set about distributing sheets of the doped bindis to women in medical camps and rural areas, where nutritional aid is most needed.

2. Thyroid cancer is on the increase and could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and Mammograms. The dentist should put the apron for your dental x-rays, and there is a little flap in the apron that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it.

Also, there is something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms. If they are not given to you, you have to ask for them.

3. Many of us sleep with our heads covered, this increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

4. Castor applied on the knee joint and wrapped up with a cloth is a life saver. It helps in joint pains.

Health Snippets...

5. Feeling bloated and not so great? Try some non-fat yogurt, pumpkin seeds, or salmon. These foods will keep you satisfied, and prevent you from getting bloated.

6 A recent Canadian study has found that a low-sodium diet may not be a great idea after all. There is a very good reason why you're given a saline drip as soon as you're admitted to hospital. The body can't do without salt. And since it cannot make any sodium by itself, it relies on you to keep ingesting some amount in order to function normally.

They also confirmed older studies' findings that high levels of sodium intake are just as bad for you. These increased your risk of everything from strokes to heart attacks.

So what's the right amount of salt? How much is too much? Dr O'Donnell and Dr Yusuf found the lowest rates of heart disease among people who ate between three to six grams of salt each day. That's slightly less than a full teaspoon of salt spread across all your day's meals.

Roma Dutt, a volunteer with the Jagriti Unit of ICS, passed away on 26th Dec 2014 after ravely fighting cancer for the last decade. Our prayers for her and her family. She will be missed by all in ICS.

Indubala was one of our stalwart volunteers who gave emotional support to patients and caregivers at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute. She retired as a lecturer from Kalandi College and was an inspiration to so many.She battled cancer three times emerging stronger and more determined to continue her work with ICS. Rest in peace Indu, you are sorely missed.

Study: Hormone Drug Preserves Fertility in Breast Cancer Patients Getting Chemotherapy- By Stacy Simon ; Article date: April 17, 2015

Breast cancer patients taking part in an international study were less likely to go through early menopause and more likely to become pregnant and give birth if they took the drug Zoladex (goserelin) during chemotherapy. The women in the study had operable hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer. The study was published in the March 5, 2015 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Loss of fertility is often a side effect of chemotherapy, which can create treatment challenges for young women with breast cancer. If they choose to have chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery, it can reduce the chances that cancer will come back, but it also increases the chances of ovarian failure – which causes early menopause and infertility. Goserelin works by blocking the normal cycle of the ovaries, making them less vulnerable to damage by chemotherapy.

The study involved 218 pre-menopausal women ages 18 to 49 with hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer who planned to have chemotherapy after surgery. Half the women received goserelin and chemotherapy, and the other half received only chemotherapy. After 2 years, researchers evaluated 135 women from the original group. The others could not be located, had missing information, or had died.

Of the 135, 8% of the women in the goserelin group experienced ovarian failure compared to 22% in the chemo-only group. Twenty-one percent of the women in the goserelin group had at least one pregnancy compared with 11% of the chemo-only group. In all, 18 babies were born to women in the goserelin group compared to 12 babies born to women in the chemo-alone group.

The study also showed that goserelin did not interfere with the women’s breast cancer treatment. In fact, the women in the goserelin group were slightly less likely to die or to have their cancer come back than the women in the chemo-only group.

Goserelin is implanted under the skin of the abdomen with a needle. It can cause the same kinds of side effects that are experienced by women going through menopause, including hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep problems. More serious side effects are less common but possible. They include difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness or fainting, and bone pain.

Because cancer treatment can affect the ability to have children, women – and men – getting treatment for any cancer and who might still want to have children should talk to their medical providers about the fertility risks of treatment.

Citation: Goserelin for Ovarian Protection during Breast-Cancer Adjuvant Chemotherapy. Published in the March 5, 2015 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. First author Halle C.F. Moore, MD, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland.

Reviewed by: Members of the ACS Medical Content Staff