Cancer e-book
- Dr. Devang Shah
- Dec 30, 2025
- 10 min read

šÆĀ āWhich cancers are most common in men and women?ā
šĀ āDo you know which cancers are most common today?Letās look at this ā because awareness is the first step to prevention.
š§Ā In men, the most common cancers are:
1ļøā£Ā Lung cancerĀ ā often linked to smoking, pollution, and stress.
2ļøā£Ā Prostate cancerĀ ā usually appears after 50; regular screening really helps here.
3ļøā£Ā Colorectal cancerĀ ā thatās the large intestine; related to diet and lifestyle.And in some regions,Ā oral cancerĀ is very high due to tobacco andĀ gutkhaĀ use.
š©Ā In women, the top cancers are:
1ļøā£Ā Breast cancerĀ ā by far the most common; early detection through self-exams and mammography saves lives.
2ļøā£Ā Cervical cancerĀ ā linked to HPV infection, butĀ treatableĀ through regular Pap smears.
3ļøā£Ā Ovarian and colorectal cancersĀ also rank high depending on age and family history.
š”Ā The good news?Most cancers, when detected early, areĀ treatable.And lifestyle changesĀ likeĀ eating fresh foods, regular exercise, good sleep, emotional balance, and avoiding toxins ā can significantly reduce the risk.
šļø So letās make awareness our strength.Because prevention and early detection truly save lives.ā
šÆĀ āWarning signs and early symptoms of cancerā
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āCancer rarely starts with pain⦠it often beginsĀ silently.Thatās why knowing theĀ early warning signsĀ can truly save a life.
If you notice any of these changes for more than two or three weeks ā donāt ignore them.
āØĀ Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite ā could signal cancer of stomach pancreas colon.Ā
āØĀ Feeling tired all the time, even after rest could indicateĀ leukemias.Ā
āØĀ A new persistent lump or swellingĀ in the breast, neck, or anywhere on the body should be checked.Ā
āØĀ A cough or hoarse voiceĀ that doesnāt go away could point to throatĀ orĀ lungĀ cancer.Ā
āØĀ Change in bowel or bladder habits, orĀ blood in stool or urine could point to colon bladderĀ andĀ prostate cancersĀ
āØĀ Non-healing sores, ulcers, orĀ unexplained bleeding.
These signs donāt always mean cancer ā but when they persist, they need to be checked.Early detection makes treatment easier, recovery faster, and outcomes better.
In Homoeopathy, we always say ā disease begins withĀ alterations in normal functions of the body,Ā soĀ awareness is the first cure.
So stay alert, stay hopeful⦠and never delay theĀ check-ups.ā
šÆĀ āWhat tests or screenings can detect cancer early?ā
𩺠āWhen it comes to cancer, early detection can make all the differenceĀ in treatment of caners.Ā LetāsĀ seeĀ some important screening tests that help detect cancer in its earliest stages.
š©āāļøĀ For women:
ā¢Ā To diagnose breast cancerĀ -Ā AĀ mammogramĀ is recommended every 1ā2 years afterĀ theĀ age 40. Those with a family history may need to start earlier. MonthlyĀ self-breast examinationĀ also helps identify any unusual lumps.
ā¢Ā TheĀ Pap smearĀ andĀ HPV DNA testĀ are excellent tools to detect precancerous changesĀ for cervical cancers. Ideally done every 3 years after the age of 25.
ā¢Ā Thereās no single reliable screening testĀ to diagnose ovarian cancer, butĀ pelvic examinationsĀ andĀ ultrasoundĀ can be helpful in high-risk cases.
š§āāļøĀ For men:
ā¢Ā TheĀ PSA blood testĀ andĀ digital rectal examinationĀ after age 50 ā or earlier for those with a family historyĀ of prostate cancerĀ are key to detectingĀ prostate cancersĀ early.
ā¢Ā For smokers or ex-smokers, aĀ low-dose CT scanĀ can identify small nodulesin lungs to detect lung cancerĀ before symptoms appear.
ā¢Ā RegularĀ oral cavity examinationĀ ā especially for those using tobacco or betel nut can detectĀ oral cancerĀ early.Ā
ā¢Ā AĀ colonoscopyĀ every 10 years, or aĀ stool test for occult bloodĀ afterĀ age of45, helps identify early lesionsĀ for colorectal cancers in both men and women
š§¬Ā Regular health check-ups, especially after 40, are one of the simplest yet most effective ways toĀ detect cancers if any.ā
āPeople often ask āĀ is cancer genetic or lifestyle-related?
The truth is ā itās usuallyĀ both. But hereās something most people donāt realizeā¦Only aboutĀ 5 to 10 percentĀ of cancers are truly inherited ā passed down through family genes like BRCA1 or BRCA2.
That meansĀ 90 percent or moreĀ are influenced by how we live āour food, sleep, stress, habits, and the environment we create around us.
Tobacco, alcohol, junk food, pollution, chronic stress ā these canĀ switch onĀ unhealthy genes.And healthy habits ā balanced food, exercise, emotional calm ā canĀ switch them off. Thatās what we callĀ epigeneticsĀ ā how your lifestyle shapes your genes.
(pause briefly, softer tone)So even if cancer runs in your family ā it doesnāt have to run inĀ you.You have more control than you think.
In Homoeopathy, we work to strengthen the bodyās natural balance āso inherited weaknesses stay silent, and your system stays strong.
Remember ā genes may load the gun,but lifestyle pulls the trigger.Choose wisely⦠because prevention begins with awareness.ā
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šÆĀ āHow lifestyle affects cancer riskā
𩺠āWe often think cancer just āhappensā.But in reality,Ā lifestyle plays a major roleĀ ā nearly 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable factors.Letās understand how small daily choices can either raise or reduce your risk.
šĀ Diet:A diet high in processed food, red meat, and sugar increases inflammation and risk.In contrast, a plate rich inĀ fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and antioxidantsĀ supports cell repair and immunity.
š¬Ā Tobacco and Alcohol:Tobacco remains the single largest preventable cause of cancer ā affecting the lungs, mouth, throat, and bladder.Even moderate alcohol intake increases the risk of breast, liver, and digestive tract cancers.
šāāļøĀ Physical Activity:A sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and hormonal imbalance.JustĀ 30 minutes of brisk walkingĀ or exercise five days a week reduces the risk of several cancers, including colon and breast.
š“Ā Sleep and Stress:Chronic stress and inadequate sleep affect the bodyās ability to repair DNA damage.Mindfulness, yoga, and adequate rest can help regulate hormones and strengthen immunity.
āļøĀ Environmental Factors:Excessive sun exposure, chemical exposure, and pollution also contribute ā so protection and awareness are key.
š§¬Ā In summary ā while genetics may load the gun,Ā lifestyle pulls the trigger.Healthy choices every day ā eating right, staying active, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing stress ā are powerful tools for cancer prevention.ā
āCan lifestyle changes really reduce cancer risk?Absolutely yes.AlmostĀ half of all cancersĀ can be prevented just by changing how we live every day.
āØĀ First ā quit tobacco.No form is safe ā not smoking, not chewing. Itās the single biggest cause of mouth and lung cancers.
āØĀ Second ā eat natural.More fruits, veggies,Ā fiber⦠less junk, sugar, and processed meat.Food is information ā it tells your cells how to behave.
āØĀ Third ā stay active.Just 30 minutes of brisk walking daily lowers your risk of breast and colon cancer.Movement is medicine.
āØĀ Fourth ā limit alcohol and protect from infections.The HPV and Hepatitis-B vaccines can actuallyĀ preventĀ certain cancers.
āØĀ And fifth ā manage your stress and sleep.Chronic stress weakens immunity.Mindfulness, deep breathing, and rest help your body heal and protect itself.
You canāt always change your genesā¦but you can change your habits ā and that changes your health story.
In Homoeopathy, we focus on strengthening that inner balance āso your body stays resilient, your mind stays calm, and life stays in harmony.
Stay aware. Stay hopeful.Small daily choices ā big lifelong protection.ā
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šÆĀ āHow Homoeopathy can support cancer patients alongside conventional careā
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𩺠āWhen it comes to cancer care,Ā Homoeopathy plays a vital supportive roleĀ ā not as a replacement for conventional treatment, but as a complementary approach to improve quality of life and overall well-being.
Letās understand how.
šĀ During active treatmentĀ ā such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery ā Homoeopathy can help manage side effects like nausea, fatigue, mouth ulcers, skin reactions, and anxiety.Patients often report better tolerance to treatment, improved appetite, and more stable energy levels.
š§¬Ā After treatment, Homoeopathy focuses onĀ recovery and restorationĀ ā helping the body regain balance, improve immunity, and reduce the long-term effects of conventional therapies.It also helps address emotional stress, fear of recurrence, and sleep disturbances that many survivors experience.
šæĀ Holistic support:Homoeopathy treats the patient as a whole ā not just the disease.Every prescription is individualized based on physical symptoms, emotional state,Ā and life history.This personalized approach supports the bodyās natural healing response.
āļøĀ Scientific integration:At integrative cancer clinics, Homoeopathy is often combined with nutrition,Ā counseling, and yoga therapy to enhance overall outcomes and improve patient comfort.
š¬Ā In short ā Homoeopathy canĀ complement modern oncologyĀ by easing side effects, supporting immunity, and improving emotional resilience ā helping patients heal not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.
Remember, itās about workingĀ withĀ medicine, not against it ā for the best possible healing journey.ā
āMany people ask me āĀ Does mobile radiation cause cancer? OrĀ are the chemicals in food making us sick?
Letās separate fear from facts.
š±Ā First ā mobile radiation.So far, studies havenāt found strong evidence that regular mobile use directly causes cancer.Mobiles give offĀ non-ionizing radiationĀ ā that means it doesnāt damage DNA the way X-rays do.But ā excessive, long-term exposure close to the head may still have subtle effects.So use hands-free, keep some distance, and avoid sleeping with your phone near you.
š„Ā Now ā food and chemicals.This oneās more real.Pesticide residues, artificial preservatives, and heavily processed foods can cause chronic inflammation ā and over time, that creates a fertile ground for disease.They may not directly ācauseā cancer overnight, but they can increase your risk when combined with stress and pollution.
šæĀ Choose organic when you can, wash fruits well, and eat more fresh, natural food.
Remember ā itās not one single causeā¦Itās theĀ total loadĀ your body carries that matters.
In Homoeopathy, we believe reducing this toxic load and maintaining inner balance is key āso your body can heal, adapt, and stay resilient.
So yes ā small changes in your environment and lifestyle really do protect you ābit by bit, day by day.ā
āWhen someone hears the wordĀ chemotherapyĀ orĀ radiation, the first feeling is fear.But understanding what really happens can take away a lot of that fear.
šĀ ChemotherapyĀ uses medicines that travel through the blood to destroy fast-growing cancer cells.But because they can also affect healthy fast-growing cells ā like hair, mouth, and gut āpatients may experience hair loss, tiredness, nausea, or low immunity for a while.These effects areĀ temporary, and your body usually recovers once treatment ends.
ā¢ļøĀ Radiation therapy, on the other hand, uses targeted high-energy raysto destroy or shrink cancer cells in one specific area.It doesnāt make your body radioactive ā it only worksĀ where itās aimed.Side effects depend on the part treated ā sometimes redness, fatigue, or local discomfort ābut they too settle with time.
During this phase, the mind and emotions play a big role in healing.Good nutrition, rest, gentle movement, and emotional support make a huge difference.
šæĀ In Homoeopathy, we often support patients during and after chemo or radiation āto reduce side effects, boost vitality, and help the body regain balance.
So remember āchemotherapy and radiation are not your enemies; theyāreĀ toolsĀ helping your body fight disease.With the right support, you can heal ā not just physically, but deeply.ā
šļøĀ āWhat are the side effects ā and how long is recovery after cancer treatment?ā
šĀ ChemotherapyĀ targets fast-growing cells ā so while it destroys cancer cells,it can also affect healthy ones in the hair, mouth, stomach, and blood.Thatās why patients may feelĀ tired, nauseous, lose hair, or have low immunity.These side effects areĀ temporaryĀ ā most start improving within weeks after treatment ends.
ā¢ļøĀ Radiation therapyĀ affects only the treated area.You might seeĀ skin redness, dryness, fatigue, or mild sorenessĀ depending on the site ābut these, too, usually fade in a few weeks.
Recovery time varies for everyone.The body starts healing the moment treatment ends āand most people feel their strength returning overĀ 2 to 3 months.What truly helps?Good food, gentle movement, sleep, emotional peace ā and lots of patience.
šæĀ Homoeopathic support during this phase can help reduce post-treatment fatigue,improve appetite, and support emotional balance ā so healing happens more naturally.
Remember āside effects are temporary, but recovery is real.Give your body time⦠it knows how to heal.ā
šļøĀ āDoes a biopsy spread cancer?ā
āOne of the most common fears I hear from patients is āāDoctor, if I do a biopsy⦠will it spread the cancer?ā
The honest answer is āĀ no, it doesnāt.Modern biopsies areĀ safe and essentialĀ for diagnosis.
AĀ biopsyĀ simply means taking a tiny piece of tissue to confirm what kind of cells are growing.Without it, doctors canāt plan the right treatment ā whether surgery, chemo, or Homoeopathic support.
In the early days, decades ago, there were rare cases where certain cancers could spread through older, less precise techniques.But today, with fine needles, advanced imaging, and sterilized methods āthe risk isĀ negligible to none.
In fact, not doing a biopsy can delay diagnosis āand early diagnosis is what actually saves lives.
So if your doctor recommends a biopsy āsee it as aĀ step toward clarity, not danger.It helps you understand what your body is facing āso you can choose the best path forward with confidence.
šæĀ And remember ā Homoeopathy can play a strong supportive rolein helping your body cope with the stress, anxiety, and recovery around medical procedures.
Knowledge heals fear.A biopsy doesnāt spread cancer āit opens the door toĀ early, effective healing.ā
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šļøĀ āIf cancer is Stage 4, is it the end?āĀ
āWhen someone hearsĀ āStage 4 cancer,āĀ the first thought is āĀ āIs this the end?ā
The truth is āĀ no, it isnāt always the end.Stage 4 means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body,but it doesĀ notĀ mean thereās no hope.
Today, with advanced treatments ā chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy āmany people live forĀ years, even with Stage 4 disease.Some go into long periods of remission, where the cancer becomes inactive.
What really makes a difference is theĀ bodyās response, theĀ mental strength,and theĀ supportive careĀ that keeps immunity strong and side effects under control.
šæĀ In Homoeopathy, our focus is on improvingĀ quality of lifeĀ āreducing pain, nausea, weakness, and supporting the emotional and immune system āso the person feels more in control, calm, and comfortable through the journey.
Iāve seen patients who start smiling, eating, sleeping, and living again ābecause they stopped seeing Stage 4 as an āendingāā¦and started seeing it as aĀ phase where healing still happens in many ways.
Remember ā life is not just measured in time,but inĀ hope, comfort, and dignity.And thereās always something that can be done to help you feel better ā always.ā
Curious About Homeopathy? Letās Chat!
Whether you're new to homeopathy or just want to see if it's right for you, I'm offering a free 15-minute Discovery Call. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and explore how homeopathy can support your health journey. We'll meet on Zoom or Google Meetājust a relaxed, no-pressure conversation.
Email me atĀ shahdevang90@gmail.comĀ to book your spot.
Dr.Ā Devang Shah, MD (Hom)
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