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.

A woman’s health check-up is not about being paranoid. It's about refusing to treat your body as an afterthought.

You may not be able to control every diagnosis you ever get. But you can control how late you meet it. That's what preventive care is all about. Early detection through these screenings helps manage hormonal changes, cancer risks, and metabolic health.

From routine blood tests to specialized screenings, Dr. Supriya Bali, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, spoke to HealthandMe on specific tests crucial for women, right from their 20s

In Your 20s: Laying A Strong Foundation

Your 20s are all about establishing healthy habits that will carry you through life. Even if you feel great, this is a crucial time to get in the habit of seeing your doctor regularly.

Recommended screening includes:

• Blood pressure check – Every 1-2 years if normal; more often if elevated
• Pap smear – Start at age 21 (or by age 25 if you’ve never been sexually active); every three years if results are normal
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening – Annually for sexually active women under 25
• HPV vaccine – If not already completed by 26
• Skin check – Monitor moles and sun damage, especially if you tan easily
• Mental health screening – Don’t ignore stress, anxiety, or depression

In Your 30s: Reproductive And Preventive Health In Focus

As the body begins to undergo subtle changes in the 30s, regular screenings, hormonal health checks, and lifestyle adjustments are increasingly important.

Recommended screenings in 30s include:

• Pap + HPV co-test – Every 5 years starting at 30 (or Pap every 3 years)
• STI screening – Based on risk factors and symptoms
• Blood pressure and cholesterol check – Especially if you have a family history
• Blood sugar test – Especially if you’re planning a pregnancy or have had gestational diabetes
• Breast exam – Regular self-monitoring and breast ultrasound if you suspect a lump.
• Mental health and sleep – Ongoing check-ins with your doctor
• Fertility discussions – If you're planning or delaying pregnancy

Also read: 'Husband Stitch': A Medical Necessity Or Just A Tool To Objectify Women's Bodies?

In Your 40s: Monitoring Long-Term Risk Factors

This is a time when early signs of chronic conditions may start to show up, especially if there’s a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.

You should get these screenings at certain times:

• Mammography screening: Begin at 40 years of age (earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer).
• Pap smear & HPV test: Pap and HPV every 5 years or Pap alone every 3 years.
• Cholesterol & Blood Pressure Testing: Every 1-2 years.
• Blood glucose test (diabetes screening): especially if you're overweight or at risk for diabetes.
• Thyroid function testing is optional—especially if you feel tired, cold, or have been losing weight or have changes in your bowel habits.
• Weight discussions regarding healthy nutrition and active lifestyle—assist with maintaining a healthy weight.
• Perimenopause begins in your 40's; if you experience mood swings or changes in sleep, hot flashes, or irregular cycles, please speak with your doctor.

Also read: What Your Mammogram Says About Your Heart?

In Your 50’s: Maintain Strength, Stay Ahead of Aging

Maintaining your strength, the ability to prevent illness/disease from affecting you, and remaining proactive against the challenges that arise due to aging will be your focus at this stage.

Every individual will have their own unique series of recommended screenings; however, everyone will benefit from some type of recommended screening.

Some commonly recommended screenings include:

• Mammogram screening program; every 1-2 years.
• Colorectal cancer screening, beginning at age 45 through age 75.
• Bone density scan-if at high risk.
• Hearing/Vision checks annually or as required (on an as-needed basis).
• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening every year.
• Lung cancer screening among those with a history of smoking.
• Vaccines--including shingles, pneumonia, flu, and COVID-19 booster.
• Cognitive screening - to discover memory concerns, changes in mental sharpness, or cognitive function.

Vapes were marketed as a safer option than cigarettes, but research now shows they carry serious health risks -- from lung damage to meningitis to cancer.

Vaping has been a serious concern in the United States, with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2025 filing a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuit accused the companies of fueling a youth vaping crisis, alleging that these companies that manufacture vapes, especially with flavors, have misled consumers about the safety of their products while deliberately targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

Now, a new study, published in JAMA Network Open, has for the first time assessed trends in young children's nicotine exposures across all types of products.

Shockingly, electronic cigarette-related incidents increased 243 percent over the past eight years in young children, especially among those under five years of age, said researchers from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

In contrast, tobacco exposures from conventional products such as cigarettes decreased by 43 percent.

Unlike cigarettes, these devices are often ready to use, brightly colored, require little effort to activate, and appear more like toys than a harmful product.

"This significant spike in children breathing in these substances tells us the risk has changed: It's no longer just about a toddler swallowing something they found on the floor," said lead author Perry Rosen, who conducted the research at the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

"Many recent cases involve children actively using e-cigarette devices after gaining access to them," Rosen added.

Key Findings

The findings were based on an analysis of more than 92,000 reported nicotine exposures in children ages 5 and younger between 2016 and 2023.

The researchers noted that vaping risks often involved children who inhaled the vapors directly from the devices. They also found that children exposed to e-cigarettes were more likely to require a visit to a health care facility compared with those exposed to cigarettes.

According to researchers, young children naturally mimic the behaviors they see around them. So, parents and caregivers must keep vaping devices away from the reach of young children.

Previous research has shown that even moderate ongoing nicotine exposure can lead to lasting health effects on developing lungs, including increased risk of bronchitis and worsening asthma.

"When children see caregivers or older family members vaping, they may copy that behavior—bringing the device to their mouth and inhaling—without any understanding they are exposing themselves to a harmful substance," said Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

Vaping: A Concern

Vaping has become a more common form of tobacco use among American middle and high school students.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.6 million students used e-cigarettes in 2024, with 87.6 percent of them opting for a flavored product.

It is the flavor that makes it even more addictive, and people want to keep smoking it, resulting in it being emptied and refilled way more quickly.

This means those who smoke flavored cigarettes consume more tobacco than those who smoke unflavored ones.

Conceiving after 7 years of marriage—riddled with societal shame and self-doubt and a host of tests—was a moment of immense joy to Shalini, a 30-year-old IT professional.

Shalini was cared for, pampered, and showered with gifts. But the happiness was short-lived. At 10 weeks, her doctor delivered devastating news: there was no fetal heartbeat, and the pregnancy would have to be terminated.

Shalini couldn’t process; years of taunts of not being able to deliver a child came back to her ears—a voice so profound that she was unwilling to abort, let come what may.

However, in a week, the miscarriage occurred. She woke up at 2 am with intense abdominal pain and felt her womb rolling. She rushed to the toilet and found herself in a pool of blood. Her baby was gone.

For more than an hour, she continuously pushed out huge chunks of blood clots—the flesh of her unborn baby. Shalini cried. Then she went numb.

Doctors cleaned her up, but nobody bothered to heal her emotional burden—of not being able to deliver a baby successfully.

Years passed; Shalini delivered a healthy baby girl, but deep inside her, she still cries for her lost baby.

Shalini is not alone; more than one in five pregnancies worldwide end in miscarriage. While physical recovery is often addressed, emotional care is still met with silence.

The body may heal with treatment and nourishment, but internally, many women grapple with grief, anxiety, and a profound sense of loss that often goes unrecognized and untreated, said doctors, stressing the need for addressing the emotional toll.

What Is A Miscarriage?

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy or the unexpected ending of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks of gestation.

Most of them occur in 12 weeks and are classed as early miscarriages, while far fewer happen between 13 and 24 weeks.

Symptoms include

• vaginal bleeding,
• cramping like a period pain,
• decrease in pregnancy symptoms.

These occur when the fetus stops growing before 20 weeks.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), miscarriage is the most common reason for losing a baby during pregnancy. WHO defines a miscarriage as a baby that dies before 28 weeks.

Miscarriage: Mental Health Implications

Also read:UK Women Who Suffer From Miscarriage May Get Two Weeks Paid Leave

Miscarriage often causes sadness, disinterest, sleeplessness, and depression. Many times, women experience low self-esteem and guilt.

There can also be marital issues, differences in psychological reaction of the spouse, and self-blame. There is also a sense of deep personal loss and trauma. It can lead to symptoms such as

• PTSD,
• feelings of yearning,
• emptiness,
• emotional numbing.

HealthandMe spoke to some mental health experts to understand what women who face the unexplained loss suffer.

“Miscarriage in women leads to many adverse consequences in psychological, social, marital, and physical domains. Most immediate effect is an acute feeling of loss, grief, and bereavement,” Dr. Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, told HealthandMe.

She added that women who faced miscarriage can also feel anxiety over future pregnancies.

“About 20-30 percent of women after miscarriage show clear depression and anxiety. A similar number may show PTSD. Women who have an earlier history of miscarriage, trauma, or mental illness are more prone to mental ill health,” Dr Malhotra said.

Also read: Why Many Older Men Struggle to Conceive Despite ‘Good Health’

So why do women face these emotional turmoil?

"The lack of open conversation can intensify isolation, making women feel their pain is invisible or minimized. Social stigma and well-meaning but dismissive comments further deepen the wound," Dr. Chetna Jain Director Dept of Obstetrics & gynecology Cloudnine Group of hospitals, Gurugram, told HealthandMe.

Dr Deepak Raheja, a New Delhi-based psychiatrist, said that miscarriage is not just a medical event; for many women, it represents the loss of a deeply hoped-for future.

"Hormonal changes, lack of open conversations around pregnancy loss, and a tendency to internalize blame can make the emotional impact even heavier," the doctor told HealthandMe.

The experts urged the need for better familial support and good marital relationships that can prevent mental health issues in women.

Recognizing miscarriage as both a medical and emotional event is essential. Compassionate care, counselling, and supportive communities play a critical role in healing and long-term wellbeing.

Also read: Planning A Pregnancy In The 30s: Expert Answers FAQs On Women's Fertility in 30s

Dr Malhotra said, "There's a need for clear mental health intervention and psychiatric treatment."

"It is important to recognize miscarriage as a legitimate form of bereavement," added Dr Raheja.

Compassionate care from families and healthcare professionals, along with timely psychological support, can help women process the loss more healthily and gradually rebuild emotional resilience.