Bengaluru, 22 September 2021: Milann, one of the largest fertility and birthing care providers in collaboration with HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru, today organized an awareness talk on ovarian cancer, its symptoms, early detection, and treatment as well as fertility preservation in cancer patients on the occasion of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. While the talk on ovarian cancer was addressed by Dr. Nisha Buchade, Consultant – Gynaec Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Dr. Vyshnavi Rao, Consultant – Reproductive Medicine, Milann Fertility & Birthing Centre addressed fertility preservation in cancer patients.

The event witnessed around 60 people attending besides joining through google meet. The talk was followed by an interactive session where the patients’ queries were cleared related to ovarian cancer and fertility preservation. The session helped the patients make an informed decision on whether they would like themselves tested and the importance of early detection of ovarian cancer.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Nisha Buchade, Consultant – Gynaec Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru said, “With the increasing incidences of women being affected by Ovarian Cancer in India, we need to take constructive steps in creating awareness about detection of ovarian cancer at an early stage. Women need to know their family medical history and genetic factors as they play an important role in ovarian cancer. Up to 10 percent of women having a family history of fallopian tube cancer, ovarian cancer, and peritoneal cancer, should undergo genetic testing for mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It is one of the deadliest gynecologic cancers and spreading awareness about it is very crucial. The best treatment is prevention.

Any cancers that begin in women’s reproductive organs are called gynecological cancers. Gynecological cancers are one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. In fact, ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer in women and is responsible for most of the deaths that occur due to gynecological cancers in the world. However, there is a lack of awareness in the world when it comes to gynecological cancers.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vyshnavi Rao, Consultant – Reproductive Medicine, Milann Fertility & Birthing Centre, Bengaluru said, “Today, cancer patients not only have a better rate of survival but can also think of parenthood and starting a family. Cancer treatment can affect fertility in both men and women. However, there are many techniques like egg freezing, embryo freezing, donor eggs, donor embryos, donor sperms, and sperm freezing that can help in preserving fertility. However, unfortunately, most of the time, fertility preservation techniques are not even discussed with the patient before starting cancer therapy. Radiation oncologists should refer patients to reproductive specialists at the earliest, given the fact that they encounter multiple patients.”

 Fertility preservation is a technique where the sperms, eggs, or embryos are preserved for future use in IVF treatment. The process involves freezing sperms prior to beginning chemotherapy or radiotherapy besides freezing extra embryos obtained from the IVF cycle. While both chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be damaging to the ovary depending on the agent used, the dose is given, and age of the patient, techniques like Ovarian Transposition (which involves physically moving the ovaries out of the pelvis through operational methods) have been proven to be efficient in fertility preservation in women. However, fertility preservation is not just about eggs and sperm. In fact, it is about fulfilling the dreams of patients suffering from cancers and cancer survivors who also desire parenthood.

About Milann Fertility & Birthing Centre:

Established in 1990, Milann was formerly known as Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre (BACC). The company was re-branded as Milann when it entered a strategic partnership with Health Care Global Enterprise Limited (HCGEL) in 2013 and became a 100% HCGEL subsidiary in 2020. With 8 centers spread across India at prime locations, Milann has been helping thousands of couples become parents while establishing benchmarks in technology, training, and clinical competence in the field of Maternity, Antenatal Care, Gynaecology & Infertility. Since its inception, Milann has always been at the forefront of scientific research, giving comprehensive care to patients with access to a whole range of advanced reproductive services and state-of-the-art technologies. A five-time winner of the “Best in Fertility Services” award by the Times of India, Milann has some of the other feathers to its cap including the ET Best Healthcare Award 2021.

About HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd. 

HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG), is one of the largest providers of cancer care in India. Through its network of 22 comprehensive cancer centers across India and Africa, HCG has brought advanced cancer care to the doorstep of millions of people. HCG’s comprehensive cancer centers provide expertise and advanced technologies required for the effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer under one roof. Under the “Milann” brand, HCG operates 7 fertility centers. Strand Life Sciences, an associate company of HCG, is a precision diagnostics company with a strong track record in bioinformatics and a pioneer of genomic testing in India.

The post Milann Fertility & Birthing Centre in Association with HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru Organizes Awareness Talk on the Occasion of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on PuneDiary.Com.

1. Can cancer patients take covid-19 vaccines?    

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to have a serious impact on many people, including cancer patients, their families, and caregivers. Due to frequent hospital visits and increased exposure, vaccination for cancer patients has become imperative now. Individuals with cancer sadly have a higher risk of severe Covid infection because of their age, the disease, cancer treatment, and medical comorbidities.

Currently, vaccination for cancer patients has been recommended for all people with cancer and blood malignancies. These vaccines can be taken as long as the components of the vaccine suit the patient even while their immunity is down. However, the following points to be noted –

• These vaccines should not be taken if they do not suit one’s body (e.g., known allergic reaction, which is a contraindication)
• There could be an unknown safety situation which can rarely cause a problem
• Effectiveness may not be as much as in the general population due to a less immune reaction. Here the vaccine is given to give whatever benefit possible and with the intent to reduce the severity of covid-19 infection if it happens.

2. When to start and which are the most preferred vaccines for cancer patients? Can the vaccination lead to a change of plans in the cancer treatment of the patients?  

While starting your program of vaccination,  It is important to discuss with your oncologists and plan strategies for taking vaccines between the cycles of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. It is recommended to take any of the available vaccines as long as the blood counts are acceptable.

Cancer patients who are undergoing major surgery should ideally wait for a few days before going for vaccination. The best time for such patients to get vaccinated is before treatment, optimally 2 weeks before the start of chemotherapy. Furthermore, patients who have opted for radiotherapy can start their vaccination program anytime. Patients undergoing immunotherapy should opt. for vaccination at the earliest as toxicities and reactions can be severe if the covid infection happens along with chemotherapy/immunotherapy.

Other than the appropriateness and timing of the vaccination, there are no changes that the vaccination causes in the plan for cancer therapy. Vaccination can be recommended one week from the start of the chemotherapy cycle.

3. How long does immunity last?

 The expected immunity usually develops in 2-3 weeks after the second dose of vaccine and is effective beyond six months. As the vaccines and vaccination programs are relatively new. We are still awaiting further data on whether or not the immunity lasts beyond six months. However, considering the current scenario, where comorbid patients are at an increased risk of contracting the covid virus, vaccination is strongly recommended for all such patients. Cancer patients who have also recovered from covid-19 can also undergo vaccination without the fear of any complications.

4. What are the concerns of vaccination with regards to cancer patients?

A major concern is an uncertainty in the level of effectiveness of vaccination when immunity comes down during treatment. However, any level of effectiveness is better than status without covid-19 vaccination. Lymphoma patients can have lower vaccine responses as we do not know precisely the efficacy of the COVID vaccine for lymphoma when on active treatment. For cancer patients, despite the vaccination, it is ESSENTIAL to continue the practice of wearing a mask, social distancing, and maintaining hand hygiene as they are already immune-compromised and chances of re-infection are also high among them.

5. Is the Covid-19 vaccine safe in Bone Marrow Transplants?

Covid-19 vaccination is recommended at least two to four weeks before the planned transplant. We recommend most transplant patients delay all vaccines for at least three months following a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

6. What are the vaccine’s side effects?

Currently, serious side effects are rare and compared to the benefit of protection, it would be negligible.    However, common side effects of vaccines are pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, and fever. Chills, joint pain, nausea, injection site redness and swelling, swollen lymph nodes. 

7. Can one get ill with Covid-19 after vaccination?

It is possible that one can get sick post receiving a vaccine, but the good news is that it is likely to be less severe and people may not require hospitalization in such cases.

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