Stress and Immunity: The Silent Cancer Trigger

Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairperson, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, explained how stress weakens the body’s defence system. “Our cells naturally develop errors during division. A healthy immune system detects and removes these faulty cells. But chronic stress from poor sleep, anxiety, or overwork lowers immunity, allowing abnormal cells to grow unchecked, eventually forming tumours.” He urged prioritising rest and mental health to keep immunity strong.

He further demystified how cancer develops, comparing it to a cellular rebellion in the body. “Cancer can strike any organ like breast, lung, liver, or kidney because all cells divide at different rates,” he explained. Blood cells regenerate in months, while liver cells take far longer. This division is governed by genes, but errors (mutations) creep in daily. “Luckily, our immune system acts like a quality-check team, eliminating these faulty cells before they turn cancerous,” he said. However, chronic stress, be it sleeplessness, anxiety, or overwork, weakens this defence system. When immunity dips, mutated cells slip through, multiply unchecked, and spread. That’s how prolonged stress becomes a silent accomplice to cancer.

Processed Foods vs. Home-Cooked Meals

Vandana Verma, HOD, Nutrition and Dietetics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, raised alarms about the rise of ‘convenience foods’ like instant snacks, sauces, and smoked meats. She highlighted the dangers of modern dietary habits: “Today, apps like Zomato and Swiggy have made processed foods loaded with sugar, trans fats, and additives a lifestyle staple. Smoked meats, instant meals, and fried snacks trigger inflammation, weaken immunity, and fuel obesity, creating a perfect storm for cancer,” she said. 

These are packed with sugar, trans fats, and additives that cause inflammation and obesity, which are the key drivers of cancer.” She suggests “stick to seasonal, locally sourced foods. Skip trendy imports like quinoa; traditional home-cooked meals are safest.”

Geography Matters: The Riverbelt Cancer Crisis

Dr Nitin Shrivastava, Lead Urologist, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram, highlighted clusters of cancer cases along polluted river belts like the Yamuna. The Ganga and Yamuna belts are witnessing alarmingly high cancer rates, and there’s a clear geographical link. “Industrial waste, pesticides, and chemicals seep into fertile lands and water, contaminating crops. Dietary habits also play a role as studies show immigrants adopt cancer risks in their new homes, linking diet and environment to disease.” This suggests that diet, climate, and environmental exposures collectively shape cancer susceptibility over time.

Cervical Cancer: Screen Early, Save Lives

Dr Deepika Aggarwal, Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, stressed the importance of screening. Explaining about colposcopy, Dr Aggarwal explained the procedure as a simple, painless camera examination of the cervix (the neck of the womb), done in an OPD setting. “During the procedure, we take tiny biopsies from areas where we suspect pre-cancerous cells. This allows us to detect abnormalities before they turn into cancer, making it a powerful tool in prevention,” she said. 

That’s why screening tests like the Pap smear, a quick swab test done during an OPD visit, are so critical. She urged every woman over 25 should get screened annually, as it catches cancer at a fully treatable stage. While HPV infection and low immunity raise risks, she clarified: “Lifestyle choices like multiple partners, smoking, etc matter more than genetics.”

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Lung Cancer: Beyond Cigarettes

Dr Dinesh Pendharkar, Director, Sarvodaya Cancer Institute, Delhi warned against trendy alternatives like vaping or flavored hookah. “All smoking harms lungs. Focus on what you can control: quit tobacco, limit alcohol, maintain weight, and treat infections like HPV. Pollution and pesticides are societal issues, but personal choices save lives.”

Myth-Busters: Rapid Fire

The panel also debunked a few common myths:

• Myth: Underwire bras or microwaves cause cancer.
• Fact: No evidence. Microwaves use non-ionising radiation (safe if containers are microwave-friendly).
• Myth: Reheating food or reused oil is carcinogenic.
• Fact: While fresh food is healthier, no direct cancer link exists.
• Myth: Black sodas or phones cause tumors.
• Fact: Both are unproven.

Supplements & Pills 

Dr Shrivastava cautioned against overusing painkillers and protein powders: “Excessive painkillers strain kidneys. Most supplements are unnecessary. Opt for balanced diets instead.”

Dr Deepika Aggarwal reassured women about birth control: “Pills don’t raise cancer risks significantly. They may even protect against ovarian/uterine cancers. Morning-after pills cause temporary bloating, not cancer.”

Is Petticoat Cancer Serious? 

Dr Pendharkar clarified: “There’s no ‘petticoat cancer.’ But chronic irritation—like tight clothing rubbing skin or a damaged tooth irritating the mouth—can cause rare skin or oral cancers over time.” According to him, if the petticoat or sari is so strongly tied it is really causing damage to the skin and constant pressure at one particular point, which may cause cancer.

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Conclusion

The Healthcare Heroes 2025 panel made one thing clear: while cancer is complex, we are not powerless against it. By understanding the role of pollution, stress, diet, and lifestyle, and taking proactive steps like regular screenings, healthier eating, and stress management, we can significantly reduce our risks. As the expert wisely noted, prevention is the best cure, let’s honour this knowledge by making informed choices today, for a healthier, cancer-free tomorrow.