A recent study suggests that people who donate blood regularly may have genetic changes in their blood that could in fact reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is conducted by the researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, and the study has now provided new insights into how and why blood cancers develop. The study is published in the journal Blood and was conducted by the scientists from Heidelberg and the German Red Cross blood donation center. There is yet a need for further research to confirm these findings.

What Did The Study Find?

The researchers examined the blood of two groups of healthy male donors in their 60s:

• One group had donated blood three times a year for 40 years.
• The other group had donated only about five times in total.

The goal was to analyze genetic mutations in their blood and assess whether frequent donation had any impact on their genetic makeup.

How Can Blood Donation Affect Stem Cells?

As and when people age, their blood and other cells naturally develop mutations and some of them can also increase the risk of cancer. When anyone donates blood, his or her body compensates by producing new blood cells, which can influence the genetic diversity of stem cells in the bone marrow. The study also found that both groups had a similar number of mutations. For instance the frequent donors had 217 mutations, while the irregular donors had 212 mutations.

However, the nature of these mutations differed. In the frequent donors, 50% of the mutations were of a type not associated with a high risk of blood cancers, compared to only 30% in the irregular donors.

Further laboratory analysis showed that these specific mutations behaved differently from those linked to leukemia, a type of blood cancer. When human blood stem cells with these mutations were injected into mice, they were found to be highly effective at producing red blood cells, which is considered a positive outcome.

Dr. Hector Huerga Encabo, one of the study authors, emphasized that these mutations do not indicate an increased risk of leukemia. The findings suggest that regular blood donation may influence how stem cells evolve, but whether this translates into a lower cancer risk remains uncertain.

Read More: Who Can Donate Blood To Whom?

Limitations

One notable disadvantage is the "healthy-donor effect"—because blood donors are often healthier than the general population, their lower cancer risk could be unrelated to blood donation.

Dominique Bonnet, senior researcher and head of a stem-cell laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, stressed the need for larger studies with female volunteers to confirm the findings.

Despite ongoing research into potential health benefits for donors, the primary goal of blood donation remains saving lives. NHS Blood and Transplant emphasized that while the study is interesting, further research is required to draw firm conclusions. The organization also noted that blood supplies are currently critically low and encouraged eligible individuals to donate.

Also Read: How Long After a Tattoo or Piercing Can I Donate Blood?

Diwali is traditionally associated with celebrations, family gatherings, illuminated homes and the sound of festivities. However, for women who are pregnant, the festive season can bring an additional health concern that often goes unnoticed: deteriorating air quality. The combination of firecracker emissions, vehicular pollution, construction dust and seasonal changes can significantly increase the concentration of pollutants in the air, making it particularly important for expectant mothers to be mindful of their surroundings.

Pregnancy is a period of considerable physiological and developmental change. A woman's respiratory and cardiovascular systems undergo adaptations to support the growing baby, and exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can add to the body's environmental burden. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger inflammatory responses. Research has associated maternal exposure to air pollution with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight and babies being small for their gestational age.

However, this does not mean pregnant women need to withdraw completely from festive celebrations. The objective should be to make informed choices, reduce unnecessary exposure and understand how precautions can be adapted at different stages of pregnancy.

First Trimester: Prioritising Early Development and Reducing Exposure

The first trimester, particularly the initial 12 weeks, is a critical period of embryonic development, when major organs and body systems begin forming. During this stage, expectant mothers may also experience nausea, fatigue, dizziness and increased sensitivity to certain environmental triggers.

Exposure to firecracker smoke and heavily polluted environments should be minimised. Although an isolated exposure does not automatically indicate harm to the pregnancy, repeated or prolonged exposure to poor air quality is best avoided.

Women in their first trimester should consider the following precautions:

- Avoid standing near areas where firecrackers are being burst or smoke is accumulating. Even brief festive activities can result in unnecessary exposure when pollution levels are high.

- Check the local Air Quality Index (AQI) before stepping outdoors. Reschedule non-essential outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates.

- Avoid participating in activities involving firecracker lighting, including sparklers and other fireworks.

- Keep indoor environments as clean as possible by avoiding excessive incense, dhoop and other smoke-producing substances.

- Maintain adequate hydration, eat balanced meals and prioritise rest, particularly if experiencing pregnancy-related fatigue or nausea.

The first trimester is also when women should be particularly mindful of their overall health rather than attempting to maintain their usual festive routines at the cost of adequate rest.

Also read: Delhi Becomes World's Most Polluted City Ahead Of Diwali, Says Swiss Agency: Experts Recommend Precautions

Second Trimester: Balancing Mobility, Physical Activity and Environmental Safety

The second trimester is often considered a relatively comfortable phase of pregnancy. Many women experience a reduction in early pregnancy symptoms and may feel more energetic, making social gatherings and festive activities easier to manage.

However, feeling physically better should not translate into overlooking environmental risks. Continued exposure to fine particulate matter and other pollutants can affect maternal respiratory health and has been associated with adverse fetal growth outcomes.

A few practical adjustments can help women enjoy the festivities without unnecessary exposure.

- Choose indoor celebrations or smaller family gatherings instead of crowded outdoor events, especially in areas with visible smoke.

- Avoid evening walks or outdoor exercise when AQI levels are poor. Physical exertion can increase the volume of air inhaled, potentially increasing pollutant exposure.

- If outdoor movement is unavoidable, a properly fitted N95 mask may help reduce exposure to particulate matter. However, it does not eliminate all pollutants or replace the need to avoid heavily polluted environments.

- Keep windows closed during periods when outdoor pollution is particularly high. Ventilate the house when outdoor air quality improves.

- Continue pregnancy-appropriate physical activity as advised by the treating obstetrician, adapting the routine according to local air quality conditions.

Women should also avoid prolonged standing, excessive physical exertion and crowded spaces where access to clean air may be limited.

Also read: Can Prolonged Exposure To PM2.5 Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots And Stroke?

Third Trimester: Protecting Maternal Respiratory Health and Avoiding Physical Strain

During the third trimester, the growing uterus places additional pressure on the diaphragm, and many women experience breathlessness, fatigue, disturbed sleep and reduced physical mobility.

When these changes coincide with poor air quality, the importance of limiting exposure becomes even more relevant. Maternal exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased likelihood of preterm birth and low birth weight, although these outcomes are influenced by several factors and cannot be attributed to a single exposure.

At this stage, the focus should be on maintaining comfort, avoiding unnecessary physical strain and ensuring timely medical attention when required.

Expectant mothers in their third trimester should:

- Avoid crowded firecracker celebrations, open-air events and prolonged exposure to smoke.

- Prefer celebrations at home or in well-ventilated indoor environments with cleaner air.

- Avoid lifting heavy decorations, climbing ladders or undertaking physically demanding festive preparations.

- Keep antenatal appointments on schedule and discuss any respiratory discomfort or concerns about pollution exposure with their obstetrician.

- Avoid unnecessary late-night outings, particularly when pollution levels tend to remain elevated.

Women experiencing persistent breathlessness, chest discomfort, wheezing or unusual fatigue should not dismiss these symptoms as routine pregnancy-related discomfort.

Beyond the Trimester: Five Air-Safety Habits Every Expectant Mother Should Follow

While pregnancy progresses through different developmental stages, the need to minimise pollution exposure remains consistent throughout all three trimesters. A few simple measures can make festive celebrations safer.

1. Make AQI checks part of your daily routine

Do not rely solely on visible smoke or haze to judge air quality. Check the local AQI through official monitoring platforms such as the Central Pollution Control Board before planning outdoor activities. Pollution levels can vary considerably between neighbourhoods and throughout the day.

2. Keep indoor air cleaner

Indoor spaces are not automatically pollution-free. Smoke from incense sticks, camphor, candles and firecrackers entering through open windows can affect indoor air quality. Avoid unnecessary smoke-producing activities and consider using a properly sized HEPA air purifier, if available.

3. Choose celebrations that do not involve firecrackers

Lighting diyas, decorating the home, preparing festive meals and spending time with family are meaningful ways to celebrate without adding to firecracker-related pollution. Staying away from areas where fireworks are being burst is particularly important.

4. Do not compromise on hydration and nutrition

A balanced diet containing seasonal fruits, vegetables and adequate protein supports maternal health. Drinking sufficient water helps maintain hydration, although neither hydration nor antioxidant-rich foods can neutralise the effects of inhaled pollutants.

5. Know when to seek medical attention

Persistent coughing, wheezing, chest pain, significant breathlessness, dizziness or other unusual symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Pregnant women with asthma or existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should discuss an individualised pollution-safety plan with their healthcare provider.

A Healthier Diwali Begins With Informed Choices

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding pregnancy and pollution is that precautions are necessary only when air quality becomes visibly poor. In reality, exposure to particulate matter can occur even when the air appears relatively clear. This makes awareness and preventive action important throughout the festive period.

It is equally important to remember that pregnancy does not mean putting life on hold. Women can continue to participate in meaningful traditions, enjoy family gatherings and celebrate festivals by making sensible adjustments to their environment and activities.

There is no single trimester in which exposure to air pollution can be considered completely safe, and no precaution can eliminate exposure entirely. The emphasis should be on reducing avoidable exposure, following local air-quality advisories and seeking individualised medical guidance.

Diwali should be a celebration of light, happiness and togetherness. For expectant mothers, a little extra planning can help ensure that the festivities remain centred on what matters most: their health, comfort and the well-being of their growing baby.

By Dr Sudeshna Ray, Associate Director Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Sr Consultant in Breach Candy & HN Reliance

Breast cancer is often associated with a distinct lump, but not all breast cancers grow in the same way. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules, can be particularly challenging to detect because it may not form a clearly defined lump. Its subtle presentation can make early detection difficult, even when a woman undergoes routine breast imaging.

ILC accounts for approximately 10–15% of invasive breast cancers. Unlike invasive ductal carcinoma, which often forms a more defined mass, lobular cancer cells tend to spread through breast tissue in thin, single-file patterns. They may infiltrate the surrounding tissue without significantly altering its overall structure. As a result, the cancer can blend with normal breast tissue and may not appear as an obvious abnormality on a mammogram.

Why mammograms may miss lobular breast cancer?

Mammography uses X-rays to identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. However, invasive lobular carcinoma may appear as a subtle area of density, tissue distortion or thickening rather than a distinct mass. These changes can be difficult to distinguish from normal breast tissue, particularly in women with dense breasts, where overlapping tissue can obscure abnormalities.

Another challenge is that lobular cancer may involve a relatively extensive area of the breast without producing a clear boundary. Consequently, imaging may underestimate the actual size or extent of the disease. This does not mean mammography is ineffective; rather, it highlights the limitations of any single screening test.

What symptoms should women watch for?

Women should not rely solely on the presence of a lump to identify a possible breast problem. Invasive lobular carcinoma may present as a feeling of fullness, thickening or firmness in one area of the breast. Other possible changes include skin dimpling, a change in breast shape or size, or a newly inverted nipple.

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate cancer, but persistent or unexplained changes warrant medical assessment. A normal mammogram should not automatically end the investigation if a breast surgeon remains concerned following a clinical examination.

Also read: Unspoken Side Of Breast Cancer: Experts Discuss Recurrence Risk, Emotional Toll & Societal Impact At Times Health Summit 2026

What happens when a mammogram is inconclusive?

Doctors may recommend additional investigations depending on the symptoms, examination findings and individual risk factors. Breast ultrasound can help assess a suspicious area, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be useful when lobular cancer is suspected or already diagnosed and its extent needs clarification.

A biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is examined under a microscope, is generally required to confirm the diagnosis. The choice of investigations should be individualised rather than based on the assumption that every woman needs additional imaging.

Why awareness and follow-up matter

Regular screening remains important, even when a woman has no symptoms. However, screening recommendations vary according to age, personal risk and family history. Breast self-awareness also plays a role in helping women recognise changes that are unusual for them.

The key message is that a normal mammogram is reassuring, but it is not an absolute guarantee that breast cancer is absent. Persistent breast changes deserve timely evaluation, and further assessment may be necessary when symptoms and imaging findings do not agree.

Early diagnosis depends on appropriate screening, awareness of symptoms and prompt follow-up when something does not appear right.

You may not smoke, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and have no known medical condition. But could the air you breathe still increase your risk of stroke?

The answer is yes. Air pollution affects more than the lungs; it is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. PM2.5 fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger biological responses affecting blood vessels throughout the body.

How can polluted air affect the brain?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel ruptures.

PM2.5 exposure may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress and dysfunction of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. It may also influence platelet activation and normal blood-clotting mechanisms, potentially favouring thrombosis.

Over time, prolonged exposure may contribute to atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaques inside arteries. If a plaque ruptures and a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, an ischaemic stroke can occur. Air pollution may also affect blood pressure and cardiovascular function.

However, exposure does not inevitably cause a clot or stroke. It is one of several factors that may influence an individual's risk.

Also read: Breathe Easy This Diwali: Early Warning Signs & Precautions to Protect Children & Senior Citizens

Can apparently healthy people also be affected?

Yes. Having no diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease does not eliminate pollution-associated stroke risk.

A systematic review published in the British Medical Journal in 2015 found that a 10 µg/m³ increase in short-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with approximately a 1.1% relative increase in stroke admissions or mortality. This is a population-level association, not an individual's absolute risk or proof of causation in a particular patient.

Who needs particular attention?

Older adults and people with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation or a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) warrant particular attention because their baseline vascular risk is high.

Five practical steps to reduce exposure

• Check the AQI: Monitor air-quality readings, particularly during periods of severe pollution.
• Modify outdoor activity: Reduce prolonged or strenuous exercise when air quality is poor; choose cleaner environments or indoor exercise.
• Use appropriate protection: A well-fitting N95 mask can reduce inhalation of fine particles when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
• Improve indoor air: Consider appropriately sized HEPA filtration and minimise tobacco smoke and other combustion-related pollution.
• Manage vascular risk: Monitor blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol when appropriate, and follow prescribed treatment.

Do not start aspirin or anticoagulants solely because pollution levels are high. These medicines carry risks and should be used only when clinically indicated under medical supervision.

Individual precautions help, but sustained improvements require cleaner transport, effective industrial emission controls and prevention of waste burning.

Stroke prevention must address established medical risk factors as well as avoidable environmental exposures. The air may look clear, but that does not guarantee it is clean. Protecting the air, we breathe is also an investment in the health of our brains.

By Dr. Ashish Susvirkar, Senior Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara