Dr. Vikram .R. Lotwala

Smoking, exercise, and diet are behavioral aspects of health that are of increasing interest, because they might influence survival and disease risk in cancer survivors American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting. Smoking Cessation Tobacco remains the most preventable cause of death in the United States, but many patients diagnosed with cancer continue to smoke. Although some patients see a cancer diagnosis as an impetus for quitting, others feel that because they already have cancer, there is no reason to stop, and may feel that the damage is already done." There are many benefits of smoking cessation that are cancer-specific. Patients who stop smoking have improved survival and fewer treatment complications, particularly those diagnosed at an early stage who are undergoing curative resections. However, there are a number of barriers to smoking cessation like heavy nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, inadequate coping strategies, treatm...

1: Nicotine Replacement Therapy Several types of nicotine replacement therapies are available, including nicotine patches, gums, nasal sprays, inhalers and lozenges. The objective in using nicotine replacement therapy is to break the habit of smoking, while gradually overcoming the physical addiction to nicotine. These methods provide a low dosage of nicotine without the harmful tars and other contaminants found in cigarette smoke. Clinical evidence does not prove which replacement therapy is best, since individual preferences vary. Overall, when using a nicotine replacement, consider the following: Not cheating on the first day of nicotine replacement increases the chance of quitting permanently tenfold. Nicotine replacement therapy is temporary and is used to aid in smoking cessation. These therapies should never be used as a long-term substitute for smoking. Counseling, self-help, or group therapy programs can enhance the effectiveness of the nicotine replacement therapy. Smokin...

Obese teenage boys are as likely to die young as peers who smoke more than half a pack of cigarettes a day, a Swedish study found. Obesity or heavy smoking each more than doubled the risk of premature death in a survey of more than 45,000 Swedish men in their late teens, Karolinska Institute researchers said on Wednesday. “The normal-weight heavy smokers and the non-smoking obese individuals have exactly the same risk,” lead author Martin Neovius, an assistant professor at the Stockholmbased institute, said. “The risk of obesity at this age is comparable to smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day”, he added. Data came from military records from Swedish men born from 1949 to 1951 who took physicals after being drafted at about age 18

Ever wondered why only some heavy drinkers and smokers die young while others live to a ripe old age? Well, the answer lies in the genes, say scientists. INHERENT RISK: Experts have identified two genes that they say put carriers at heightened risk of developing cancer An international team has identified two genes that it claims increases the chances of an unhealthy lifestyle, giving a drinker or a smoker cancer — in fact the genes put carriers more at a heightened risk of developing cancers of skin, lung, bladder, prostate and cervical. Lead scientist Tim Bishop of University of Leeds said cancer was often caused by a “complex” interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and these newly identified genes could go some way to explaining their relationship. The findings, according to them, could allow doctors to identify those most at risk from suffering the potentially deadly conditions due to a combination of genetics and their lifestyle, the Daily Telegraph repo...