Microwaves are a common appliance in every household now. You will see it in kitchens of not just houses, but offices, cafeterias, and co working space. However, there are studies that show that heating food in a microwave could be a health concern. While it does come handy, there are questions about harmful radiation and nutrient loss and heating safety that still linger.

Does Microwave Destroy The Nutrients In Food While Heating?

Some research suggests that microwaving may cause nutritional loss, particularly in vegetables. For example, studies have shown that microwaving broccoli with water diminishes its flavonoid content, which are anti-inflammatory compounds. However, experts note that cooking method and duration have a significant influence on nutrient retention.

Surprisingly, several studies indicate that microwaving preserves more nutrients than traditional cooking methods. A study comparing microwaved versus oven-cooked ready meals found that the microwaved version contained somewhat more vitamin C. Another study discovered that microwaving some vegetables, such as broccoli and green beans, may retain more beneficial compounds than boiling.

Ultimately, the nutrient loss really vary on the type of food which is being heated and how it is being cooked. Experts also recommend using minimal water and shorter cooking times to maximize the nutrient retention.

Is Heating In Plastic Safe?

Plastic containers and heating food in it, has always been a topic of debate. While containers do come with microwave-safe stamps, is it really safe to heat them with food?

According to research, when certain plastics are subjected to heat, they produce compounds such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These substances have been associated to hormonal disturbance, metabolic problems, and perhaps reproductive concerns.

A study also took in account over 400 plastic food containers that were microwave-safe and found that most of them leaked hormone-disrupting chemicals. These are phthalates, warn experts, which are commonly used in food packaging and can interfere with body's hormonal balance, and increase risk of diabetes or even high blood pressure.

Additionally, BPA exposure has been associated with fertility issues and immune system disruptions.

So, what can be done instead?

To minimize this risk, experts recommend using glass or ceramic container when microwaving foods. If you must use a plastic container, make sure the container is not damaged or old, as they are more prone to leach harmful chemicals.

What About The Radiation?

Concerns about microwave radiation have been largely debunked by decades of research. Microwaves use non-ionizing radiation, which does not have enough energy to damage DNA or cause cancer. The electromagnetic waves used in microwaves are similar to those from radios and light bulbs.

Experts emphasize that microwave ovens are designed to contain radiation, preventing exposure. As long as the microwave is in good condition and the door seals properly, there is no significant health risk from microwave radiation.

Other Concerns

Microwaving food could sometimes also lead to uneven cooking and it can create some risks to food safety. Thus, experts advertise to use microwave only to reheat the food and not to actually cook raw food. For safe reheating, food should reach at least 82°C (176°F) throughout to kill bacteria.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), 30.7% of women aged 15-49 years in India are reported as overweight or obese, highlighting the growing importance of lifestyle factors in women’s reproductive and overall health. Along with nutrition and physical activity, sleep is another important factor for overall menstrual health and the ovulation cycle.

Ovulation is controlled by a complex interaction between the brain, pituitary gland and ovaries. This reproductive hormone system is closely connected to the body's circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and influences the timing of several hormonal processes. When sleep becomes consistently irregular or insufficient, these signals may become disrupted, potentially affecting the hormonal coordination required for normal ovulation.

How Sleep Disturbances May Affect Reproductive Hormones

Also read: Andrew Huberman’s Sleep Trick: Can Eye Movements Help You Fall Back Asleep?

One of the ways this may occur is through interference with the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The reproductive system relies on communication between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to regulate the hormones involved in follicle development and egg release.

Melatonin is another hormone linked to sleep and circadian rhythm. It also has antioxidant properties in the ovaries. This is why the relationship between sleep and fertility may involve more than simply the number of hours a woman sleeps.

A 2025 study published in Chronobiology International found that a later chronotype, or a tendency to sleep and wake later, was associated with a higher risk of sporadic anovulation among women with regular menstrual cycles.

Each one-hour increase in later chronotype was associated with a 5% higher relative risk of anovulation (RR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00–1.11), while women in the third chronotype tertile had a 33% higher relative risk compared with those in the second tertile (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.05–1.68).

Interestingly, sleep duration itself was not associated with anovulation, suggesting that sleep timing and circadian patterns may also matter.

Poor Sleep Quality May Also Matter During IVF

Sleep may also be relevant during fertility treatment. A 2025 prospective cohort study of 174 women undergoing IVF/ICSI reported that women with poor sleep quality had 22.89% fewer retrieved oocytes and 22.01% fewer matured oocytes after adjustment for relevant factors.

The study also reported associations between certain sleep patterns and other IVF outcomes. However, these findings are observational and do not establish that poor sleep directly causes poorer fertility outcomes.

Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease that affects older women. However, younger women can develop breast cancer too, and receiving a diagnosis in your 20s or 30s can come as a shock, particularly when there is no known family history or obvious risk factor.

While breast cancer is less common at a younger age, being young should not mean dismissing a breast change. Here is what young women should know.

Being young doesn't mean a breast lump isn't worth investigating

Most breast lumps are benign, but a doctor should evaluate any new or persistent breast change. This includes a lump in the breast or under the arm, a change in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, changes in the appearance or position of the nipple, or unusual nipple discharge, especially discharge that is bloody.

Breast changes can occur because of hormonal fluctuations and several non-cancerous conditions, particularly in younger women. However, it is important not to assume that a change is harmless simply because of age.

Know your individual risk

Age is one of several factors that influence breast cancer risk. Having a close relative, such as a mother or sister, with breast or ovarian cancer can increase risk, particularly when the cancer occurred at a younger age. Certain inherited genetic changes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, can also increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Previous radiation exposure to the chest at a young age is another recognised risk factor.

This is why knowing your family history matters. If breast or ovarian cancer has affected several close relatives, discuss your family history with a doctor. Depending on the pattern of cancers in the family, genetic counselling or testing may be recommended. Genetic testing, however, is not necessary for everyone and should be guided by an individual's risk profile.

Also read: ‘Feels Like I’m A Few Days From Death’: Olympic Sprinter Beth Dobbin Says She Is Bedbound 22 Hours A Day

Don't wait for a lump to become painful

Breast cancer does not always cause pain, and early-stage disease may not produce noticeable symptoms. At the same time, breast pain or tenderness and lumps can occur with several benign conditions.

In India, particularly across warmer and more humid regions, breast discomfort can also be aggravated by wearing very tight, heavy padded or underwired bras for prolonged periods. Such bras may cause pressure, friction and discomfort and can contribute to breast pain or mastalgia in some women, especially when the fit is not appropriate.

It is important to clarify that there is no scientific evidence that wearing tight, padded or underwired bras causes breast cancer. However, an uncomfortable or poorly fitting bra can contribute to breast discomfort. Choosing a well-fitted, supportive bra and avoiding prolonged pressure or friction may help reduce symptoms.

The important thing is to pay attention to changes that are new, unusual or persistent rather than trying to diagnose them yourself. Young women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel so they can recognise when something has changed.

Also read: Dr Rachna Shroff: Indian-American Cancer Researcher Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into Advocacy

Screening should be based on risk, not age

Most women in their 20s and 30s who are at average risk do not need routine mammography screening. However, women with a higher-than-average risk may need to begin screening earlier and may require additional tests, such as breast MRI or mammography, depending on their individual circumstances.

Screening recommendations should therefore be based on personal and family history rather than age alone. Women who are concerned about their risk should discuss an appropriate screening plan with their doctor.

What can young women do?

Know your family history and share any significant concerns with your doctor. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.

Most importantly, do not dismiss a breast change simply because you are young. Breast awareness is about understanding what is normal for you and recognising when something is different.

A breast lump or other change does not automatically mean cancer, but getting it checked can provide clarity and ensure that any condition requiring treatment is identified at the appropriate time. For young women, awareness is not about living in fear—it is about being informed, attentive and proactive about their health.

By Dr. Tapti Sen, Sr. Consultant - Breast Surgery, RG Hospitals, Kolkata

When one thinks about cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is a mass of irregular cells growing wildly. But what is a tumour? It is much more than mere cancer cells surrounded by an extensive network of blood vessels, immune cells and various supporting cells. This is the tumour microenvironment.

One of the key residents of the tumour microenvironment is the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF), which attracts increasing interest of cancer researchers due to the fact that such cells may affect tumour growth, metastasis and therapy response.

Normal fibroblasts have a supportive function in maintaining tissue integrity through the production of collagen and other structural components. However, when cancer arises, some fibroblasts located in or near the tumour acquire an additional function and become activated. Such activated fibroblasts are called CAFs.

How CAFs May Help Cancer Grow And Spread

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CAF involvement could be likened to that of a helper to the tumour. These cells are able to modify the stroma around the cancer cells and thereby facilitate growth and invasion into adjacent tissue. CAFs are also capable of releasing factors that facilitate angiogenesis as well as the behaviour of cancer cells. Evidence exists of a correlation between CAF involvement and tumour progression and metastasis in various types of cancer.

Perhaps more significantly, CAFs can affect the immune response of the body. The immune system in humans is able to detect and target foreign bodies including cancer cells. However, some forms of CAFs play a role in ensuring an immunosuppressed environment that makes it difficult for the immune cells to interact effectively with the tumour cells. This could explain the wide variation in immunotherapy response among patients and different tumour types.

The involvement of CAFs in treatment resistance is another issue that must be considered. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are known to remodel the extracellular matrix, an environment where cells are surrounded by proteins, and generate signals that help cancer cells resist stress induced by chemo and targeted therapy. CAFs therefore make treatment difficult for certain tumours.

Could CAFs Become A New Target For Cancer Treatment?

This field of study is especially important when considering that cancer treatments are becoming increasingly personalized. Today, oncologists take into consideration such features of cancer as genetic mutation, its stage and molecular profile. Tomorrow, taking into account tumor microenvironment can give them additional knowledge on how to treat a specific type of cancer.

But there is one major issue to be taken into consideration: CAFs are not one homogenous group of cells. There can be many types of CAFs that have very different functions, sometimes even opposing. Some of them contribute to tumor growth and some may hinder it. Thus, simply killing all fibroblasts will hardly help. Instead, there are studies on how to selectively target tumor promoting CAFs and how to reprogram them. Several such methods have already been tested clinically.

There is one important point that this research gives to patients: cancer is not just a mass of aberrant cells. Cancer is an ecosystem where cancer cells constantly interact with their environment.

Understanding this ecosystem might someday help oncologists tackle the mechanisms of tumor survival and resistance to therapy- and maybe make current cancer treatments more efficient.

By Dr Pritam Kalaskar, Director, Co-founder and Medical Oncologist- M|O|C Cancer Care, India