Can a toothache be the reason for someone's cancer? An England based doctor and health content creator @Choji_ES who posts on X, formerly Twitter on reproductive health related content revealed a case where a man went to the dentist due to pain in his jaw and when the tooth was pulled out, a cancer was found in his private part.

The same case also been mentioned by Baridueh Badon (MD, MSc, MBA), who allows posts healthcare content on the same microblogging platform, by the username @BadonB.

Case Study

In this case, a man went to a dentist for a simple toothache, only to discover that he had cancer. This happened to a 78-year-old healthy man, who suffered pain in his lower jaw and noticed a loose tooth. When he went to the dentist, he decided to get his tooth remove to ease his pain. However, despite the removal, his jaw started to swell again. Confused, the man was recommended for a CT scan and something unexpected happened.

It was Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

As per an African proverb, it is true that the head and the body are one; what affects one may touch the other.

What Is Metastatic Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland, which is a part of a man's reproductive system. When it spreads to other parts of the body, like the jaw, it is called metastatic prostate cancer. But, why exactly the jaw? This is because the jawbone is rich in blood and active bone marrow, which makes it a comfortable place for cancer cells to settle and grow.

As per a 2023 study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology, titled Mandibular metastasis from prostate cancer that clinically mimicked osteosarcoma: A case report, noted that in men, 11% of jawbone metastases originated from the prostate gland.

What Are The Signs To Look For?

Warning Signs Dentists Look For:

• Persistent jaw pain or swelling
• Loose teeth without a clear reason
• Slow healing after a tooth extraction
• Numbness or tingling in the jaw

These may seem minor, but they could hint at something serious. Early detection is life-saving.

Regular Checkups And Its Importance

Prostate cancer is the 4th common cancer globally and is most prone to men who are over 40. Every year, it claims about 400,000 lives worldwide.

Take charge of your health

• Don't stay long with untreated STDs or UTIs (toilet infection)
• Have regular medical checkups
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Listen to your body’s whispers before they become screams

Case Study: Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy

Earlier in November, six-time Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with stage-4 prostate cancer, which was announced in February. This six-time Olympic champion revealed that he had a pain in his shoulder when he was 47, which did not go away. "I was still lifting weights in the gym, still physically active. You are used to having aches and pains, but this one did not go away."

Prostate Cancer, and types

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It occurs when abnormal cells form and grow in that gland.

Experts say that not all prostate cancer is deadly. There are cancers that are slow-growing and will not affect a man's lifespan, which is found in 1 in 3 men over 50. Then there is a small number of very aggressive prostate cancers which move quickly and cause harm, this is why regular screening is important.

Chris too has called for more, younger men to be tested, including those with a family history of the disease.

World Thyroid Day is observed on 25 May every year. This day aims to spread awareness about thyroid disorders, their symptoms, and management options that can help women. However, one concern that continues to linger with respect to thyroid disorders is why they occur more often in women. Hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, and a higher risk of autoimmune conditions can increase the risk of thyroid problems in women. Yes, that’s right! Hence, women should ensure they go for timely health check-ups. Here, an expert highlights vital tips for women. Read on to know more about this and seek timely help. Remember, thyroid problems should not be left untreated at all.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Shruti Kotangale, Consultant Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, and Infertility Expert at AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, explained why thyroid problems are more common among women. Read here to know how gender makes a difference.

Why do thyroid disorders occur more often in women?

Thyroid disorders are rising among many women. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck, but it plays a critical role in controlling metabolism, energy levels, and maintaining hormonal balance. Women can suffer from thyroid problems because of frequent hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. These changes can impact thyroid health. Lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep can also worsen thyroid imbalance. Hence, women are at a higher risk of suffering from autoimmune conditions, where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism

Conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are commonly seen in women. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive. Symptoms can include tiredness, weight gain, dry skin, hair fall, constipation, feeling cold, a slow heartbeat, and low mood or depression. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive, and women may experience weight loss, a fast heartbeat, sweating, anxiety, tremors, irritability, frequent bowel movements, and even difficulty sleeping. Women are advised to seek immediate medical attention and manage these symptoms without any further delay.

How to manage thyroid disorders?

Thyroid disorders may be concerning, but they are manageable with appropriate care and management tips as recommended by experts. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be managed with timely diagnosis, regular screening, and taking medications as suggested by the doctor. It is also important to eat a balanced diet, exercise daily for at least 30 minutes, get sound sleep at night, and de-stress through yoga and meditation. This World Thyroid Day, the focus should be on awareness, regular check-ups, and taking small steps to stay healthy and manage thyroid problems. Moreover, follow the doctor’s advice and do not self-medicate, as doing so can be risky.

So ladies, this World Thyroid Day, make an effort to know more about this group of disorders that affects your gender more often than men. Be it fatigue, mood swings, or weight fluctuations, it is imperative to know the early warning signs of this condition in order to work towards a more preventive approach.

IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a growing health concern worldwide - particularly amongst young adults. The two main types of IBD are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. However, these can be confused because they share symptoms.

Some of these are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. They affect the digestive tract differently, thus also have different complications and treatment plans. It is important to understand these differences so that patients may seek out timely diagnosis and better disease management.

1. Different Parts of the Digestive Tract Are Affected

Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon and rectum. Inflammation begins in the rectum and spreads continuously upwards. In Crohn’s disease, any part of the digestive system can be impacted. Including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. However, it is most commonly the small intestine that is involved in Crohn’s disease.

2. Inflammation Pattern is Different

In ulcerative colitis, inflammation is continuous. There are no healthy gaps in between the affected areas. Crohn’s disease causes patchy inflammation. Meaning, there are sections of healthy tissue known as “skip lesions”.

3. Crohn’s Disease causes more serious damage

Ulcerative colitis affects only the innermost lining of the bowel. Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, can involve all layers of the intestinal wall. This increases the risk of complications such as fistulas, bowel obstruction, and intestinal narrowing.

4. Symptoms May Look Similar, But Often Differ

Both conditions can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. However, bloody stools are more common in ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease may also cause mouth ulcers, severe nutritional deficiencies, and pain in the anal region.

5. Nutritional Problems Are More Common in Crohn’s Disease

Because Crohn’s disease frequently affects the small intestine, patients may struggle to absorb nutrients properly. This struggle results in anemia, a vitamin B12 deficiency, low iron levels, and weight loss.

6. Surgery Has Different Outcomes

Ulcerative colitis can be cured by removing the colon. In Crohn’s disease, surgery is used mainly to treat complications, but inflammation can affect another part of the digestive tract.

7. Smoking Affects the Diseases Differently

Smoking worsens Crohn’s disease. It increases the risk of flare-ups, complications, as well as repeat surgeries. However, Ulcerative Colitis does not show the same pattern. Some studies have found lower rates of ulcerative colitis among smokers. Although smoking is never recommended as a treatment because of its serious health risks.

8. Treatment Approaches

Both conditions are treated with anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressing drugs, and dietary changes. But in Crohn’s disease, often more aggressive and long-term treatment is required. This is because it can affect the deeper layers of the bowel and multiple parts of the digestive tract.

Most people who hear the words “robotic surgery” picture something from a science fiction film. A machine operating independently, the surgeon watching from across the room. The reality is considerably less dramatic and considerably more reassuring.

In robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon is in control throughout the procedure. The robotic system does not make independent decisions. It functions as a precision instrument, translating the surgeon’s movements into actions with a degree of accuracy that is difficult to achieve through conventional techniques alone. A useful parallel is GPS navigation — the driver still steers, still makes every turn, still decides the route. The technology makes the execution more reliable.

What this means for patients, practically, is a procedure designed to do what it needs to do with less disruption to the surrounding tissue. Less disruption means less post-operative pain. Less pain means rehabilitation begins sooner. And sooner rehabilitation means the things patients actually care about — walking without discomfort, climbing stairs, travelling, returning to work — come back faster.

This is why robotic surgery has gained traction in orthopedics in particular. Joint replacement patients are not looking for a technical achievement. They are looking to move again. They want to walk to the kitchen without wincing, attend a family function without sitting out the evening, and pick up their grandchildren. The recovery is the point, and the precision that robotic assistance enables is what makes that recovery more predictable.

There are persistent myths worth addressing directly. That robotic surgery is risky because it relies on machines — it is not, because the surgeon remains in control and the system includes multiple real-time safety checks. That it is only accessible in premium or specialty settings — increasingly, it is not. That the higher upfront cost cannot be justified — for many patients, the shorter hospital stay, lower post-operative pain, and reduced likelihood of complications make the calculus straightforward.

Healthcare is moving toward precision and personalization, and patients are moving with it. The question most people are now asking before surgery is not only whether the procedure will work. It is how quickly and how fully they will get their life back afterward. Robotic-assisted surgery was built to answer that question.