PCOS affects a major part of a menstruating person’s life than many of them are aware of. The lack of information about the condition and the reluctance of people to talk about the matter makes it worse. As we kick off World PCOS Awareness Month, we try to understand the proper repercussions and the best ways to manage your periods. As science progresses each day, many women have taken the initiative to further the research on PCOS and the reproductive health of women. We spoke to Dr Prarthana Shah, a doctor who specialised in preventative CVD medicine and an Integrative Health Coach to get a better understanding of the vital role nutrition plays in a woman’s reproductive cycle.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. Characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen production, and the presence of cysts on the ovaries, PCOS can lead to a range of health issues, including infertility, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer.

Role of Nutrition in PCOS Management

A balanced diet plays a crucial role in managing PCOS symptoms and reducing the risk of associated health complications. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and avoiding certain triggers, women with PCOS can significantly improve their overall well-being.

According to Dr. Prarthana, “The first thing is B12. So, a common deficiency, even otherwise, which can affect a woman's hormonal balance, because it helps regulate your hair length, and so it's important to make sure that you're getting enough B12.” There are important nutrients that women must have for healthy menstrual cycles.

• Vitamin B12: Essential for hormonal balance, hair health, and regular menstruation.
• Vitamin D: Helps regulate hormones, supports ovarian function, and improves insulin sensitivity.
• Iron: Crucial for preventing anaemia, which is common during menstruation.
• Electrolytes: Help maintain fluid balance and prevent fatigue.
• Amino acids: Provide building blocks for proteins and support overall health.

Dietary Recommendations for PCOS

As Dr Prarthana mentioned, the key nutrients that women lack are the reason why their periods might be irregular and make it difficult for them to handle it. She suggested that it's essential to prioritize a nutrient-rich diet. Focus on consuming whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Minimize your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, processed meats, and refined carbohydrates, as these can contribute to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. Consider limiting or avoiding dairy products, as they may contain hormones that can disrupt your hormonal regulation.

She also emphasised the importance of seasonal fruits. While many people have expressed their reservations with cross-contamination and germs from fruits she says, “You have to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. Greens and salad leaves, all of these things for vitamin B12. Now, of course, there will be some vendors that cut it up. So, don't buy it from there. one tip I personally suggest is that I use something called Veggie Wash where I wash my salad leaves in that at home. You can also wash it with salt or apple cider vinegar.”

When enjoying seasonal fruits and vegetables, be mindful of potential contamination from vendors who cut and sell them. Wash them thoroughly at home to ensure safety. Finally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to support overall health and prevent dehydration.

Lifestyle changes you should make for PCOS

According to Dr Prarthana, your lifestyle plays a really important role in PCOS, “So, I know most women, even though they regularly exercise, I mean the ones that do, also kind of skip it during the period and that is the wrong thing to do, ideally.”

She also expresses how much it actually helps with period pains and relief for women, “It's okay. You should go and do some sort of exercise. Go for a walk. It could be lighter if you're, you know, tired. But something in some form of movement, maybe yoga, stretching, whatever works for each person depending on how much pain they have. It really opens up the muscles and gives you relief.”

Other changes include,

• Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
• Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Consider supplements: Consult with a healthcare professional about potential supplements, such as vitamin D and iron, to address specific deficiencies.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of young adults returned to social life with unhealthy coping habits such as smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, late-night eating, and excessive spicy or junk food intake. These are now causing a worrisome surge in cases of mouth cancer in people below 40. Youngsters fail to pay attention to the early warning signs, such as unhealed mouth ulcers, a burning sensation, white patches, difficulty swallowing, or persistent mouth pain, leading to delayed diagnosis. Hence, it is the need of the hour to seek timely treatment, which can save lives.

What is mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, refers to the abnormal growth of malignant cells in the gums, lips, tongue, or the inner lining of the cheeks and floor of the mouth. Early detection of this disease can help improve survival rates. The symptoms of mouth cancer are:

1. Sore or blister inside the mouth that lasts for two to three weeks
2. Bleeding
3. Numbness
4. Lump or swelling or thickening of the mouth, lip or neck
5. Persistent pain in the mouth
6. Persistent white or red patches in the mouth
7. Difficulty in swallowing or speaking

What are the risk factors for mouth cancer?

According to doctors, mouth cancer can happen to anyone. But there are some risk factors that can make you more prone to developing the tumour:

1. Smoking
2. Tobacco use or chewing tobacco
3. Using betel nut or paan
4. HPV
5. Frequent or heavy alcohol use
6. Excessive exposure to the sun
7. Poor oral hygiene

For timely detection, it is important to go for regular check-ups. If any of the symptoms appear, a biopsy can help with cancer detection.

Why are mouth cancer cases rising among people in their 40s?

Dr Prathamesh Pai, Senior Consultant Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, said, “There is a spike in cases of mouth cancer among younger individuals aged 25–40. The causes can be smoking, vaping, alcohol intake, poor dietary habits, and spicy junk food. Many youngsters believe mouth ulcers are common and harmless, but any ulcer that does not heal within two weeks should never be ignored. Early symptoms may include mouth pain, white or red patches, bleeding, difficulty chewing, bad breath, or swelling inside the mouth. Also, there is a lack of dental hygiene, and almost no one visits the dentist on a regular basis. In a week, three out of five patients visiting our clinic come with signs of unhealed mouth ulcers, white and red patches, difficulty opening the mouth, or altered speech and swallowing, and are often diagnosed with mouth cancer.”

Tobacco in any form, including vaping, can damage the body from the oral cavity to the lungs, as well as the heart, urinary bladder, and brain. Combined with alcohol, the incidence of cancer rises threefold. Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, reducing spicy processed food intake, and undergoing regular dental or oral check-ups are key to preventing mouth cancer, and early detection can lead to a cure.

Parents are the root of every family and the silent pillars who spend their lives nurturing, protecting, and supporting their children through every stage of life. But as they age, the roles slowly begin to reverse. Ageing often brings with it a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges, including reduced mobility, memory decline, weakened immunity, chronic illnesses, dependency, and loneliness. In many ways, growing older mirrors the vulnerability of infancy, where simple daily activities such as eating, walking, speaking, or maintaining personal hygiene may require support and patience from others in the family.

At this stage of life, caregivers step into the role of protectors, offering the same compassion, reassurance, and care that parents once gave selflessly to their children. It is equally important to acknowledge the unwavering efforts of caregivers who devote themselves to ensuring their ageing parents live with comfort, dignity, and love despite the emotional, physical, and financial challenges.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Eliza Pereira, Founder—Florina's Angels (a senior citizen daycare and dementia care centre), Bangalore, explained the consequences of overlooking oral health in the elderly.

India’s Growing Elderly Population and the Overlooked Oral Health Crisis

India has a massive elderly population, making elder care an important healthcare priority. According to population estimates, the senior citizen population in India is witnessing significant growth. As per Census 2011, the population of senior citizens (people aged 60 years and above) in the country stood at 10.38 crore, while projections estimate this number will rise to 17.32 crore by 2026. These figures highlight the increasing need for accessible and inclusive elder healthcare services. While conversations around ageing often focus on mobility, cardiovascular health problems, or mental wellbeing, oral healthcare remains one of the most overlooked aspects of elderly care.

Age-related conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and weakened immunity can significantly affect oral health. Many seniors struggle with tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth caused by medications, difficulty chewing, oral infections, bad breath, and poor-fitting dentures. Reduced dexterity due to arthritis or neurological disorders can make routine brushing and flossing difficult, increasing their dependency on caregivers for basic oral hygiene maintenance. Poor oral health can also impact nutrition, speech, confidence, and overall quality of life, making timely oral care support even more critical for ageing individuals.

Supporting Caregivers Through Better Oral Care Practices

Addressing oral care accessibility for ageing parents requires a collective and compassionate approach. Caregivers can play a crucial role by encouraging timely dental check-ups, creating simple oral hygiene routines, ensuring dentures are cleaned properly, monitoring medication-related oral side effects, and helping seniors maintain hydration and a nutritious diet. Using age-friendly and specialised oral care solutions such as swallow-safe and non-foaming toothpastes, fluoride-free and remineralising formulations, therapeutic mouthwashes, and no-rinse oral care wipes for dependent or bedbound individuals can help make daily oral hygiene routines easier, safer, and more comfortable for senior citizens. Additionally, products designed with easy-open caps and clear, user-friendly packaging can further improve accessibility and encourage independent oral care among elderly individuals facing mobility, dexterity, or age-related vision challenges.

At the same time, caregivers themselves need emotional support, awareness, and access to the right healthcare guidance to manage caregiving responsibilities effectively. Families and healthcare systems must work together to create sustainable ecosystems where the entire cycle of caregiving and those being cared for feels supported beyond medical attention.

American radio personality Robin Quivers has announced being free of cancer after a 14-year journey battling the deadly disease.

Quivers, 73 — who has co-hosted The Howard Stern Show for over 40 years — first announced in 2012 that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer.

She immediately underwent surgery, numerous rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation to treat the disease. After four years of remission, it returned in 2016.

Now, nearly 10 years later, Quivers is once again “cancer-free.” The radio personality shared the good news during the radio show, The Independent reported.

“Robin kicked cancer’s ass. They said it couldn’t be done,” Stern, 72, declared, calling it “a miracle.”

He recalled the moment Quivers called him with the news, saying, “I couldn’t believe it. And really, I’ve said this to Robin privately, but I would like to say it on the air. Like this is really a miracle.

“I’m gonna say this because this is really true. I’ve watched the whole thing. She took charge of her health. She started to do all the right things. She never deviated, and she really took it seriously.”

Stern and Quivers, who began their radio careers as newscasters at WIOO in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, have been together since 1981.

What Is Endometrial Cancer?

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Endometrial cancer begins in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Most uterine cancers are endometrial cancer. If untreated, it can spread to nearby organs such as the bladder, rectum, or more distant organs through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

How Endometrial Cancer Occurs?

The endometrium is highly sensitive to hormonal changes, particularly the balance between estrogen and progesterone. When the body is exposed to excess estrogen without adequate progesterone, the endometrial lining grows excessively. Over time, this prolonged stimulation leads to abnormal cell changes and increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer or uterine cancer.

Poor Lifestyle A Major Risk Factor

Dr Fahad Afzal, Consultant Oncologist at Saifee Hospital, told HealthandMe that obesity, PCOS, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome can contribute to hormonal imbalance and lead to endometrial cancer.

"Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors because excess body fat increases estrogen production. Women who are obese therefore have higher levels of estrogen, which stimulates the uterine lining,” the expert said.

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According to World Health Organization data, its incidence is steadily rising, particularly in urban populations where lifestyle changes are more pronounced.”

Dr Smit Sheth, cancer physician at MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Mulund, said, “Hormones play a crucial role in a woman’s reproductive health, but when they fall out of balance, they can also increase the risk of certain cancers, including endometrial cancer".

Can Endometrial Cancer Be Detected In Time?

The good news is that endometrial cancer typically grows slowly and is often detected early through regular gynecological exams.

Warning signs that should never be overlooked include

• postmenopausal bleeding,
• irregular periods,
• unusual discharge.

How To Prevent?

Simple lifestyle changes, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, a balanced diet, managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, and timely medical check-ups can significantly reduce risk.