From top : Dermatologist Sachin Varma and cardiologist Rabin Chakraborty at Greenwood Park on October 31. Surgical oncologist Gautam Mukhopadhyay and nutritionist Hena Nafis at Rupashree complex on October 24. Pictures by Bishwarup Dutta

Gautam Mukhopadhyay, surgical oncologist from Bengal Oncology Centre, and nutritionist and t2 columnist Hena Nafis joined hands to give the residents of Rupashree in Rajarhat, New Town, a bit of a lifestyle shake-up on October 24. The latest event in the Super Religare Laboratories presents The Telegraph Get Life Started Talk Show series, shed light on cancer symptoms, and the risks of modern living and diet.

Dismissing a number of health myths, Mukhopadhyay said that if the results of a needle biopsy turned out to be negative, cancer still cannot be ruled out, though a positive result does confirm it. “Chemotherapy is not only given in the latter stages — it serves as an integral part of the treatment in cases of breast, ovarian and testicular cancer. One can go through many biopsies without spreading cancer,” he stressed.

Hena, on the other hand, spoke about the other slow killer — stress. “It’s important to eat in between a 12-hour workday, but it’s also important to cut down on fast food available in most offices,” she said. A change in shifts can confuse the body, so Hena suggested a simple rule: “If you wake up at 3pm, have your breakfast then, and not lunch!”

This was followed by another session in the neighbouring Greenwood Park residential complex on October 31, with two experts from Apollo Gleneagles at the helm. The topic? Health remedies to correct sudden disruptions during the festive season. Dermatologist and t2 columnist Sachin Varma spoke about daily skin care regimen. “Use a cleanser in the morning and follow it up with moisturiser and sunscreen when you leave home,” said Varma. Exfoliating with the help of a scrub twice a week and a weekly steaming programme are also essentials, he said, explaining the various skin and hair types, and ways to take care of tresses. Varma then spoke on common skin diseases and ways of correcting them.

Cardiologist Rabin Chakraborty discussed health in the context of modernisation, “which has left the society diseased”. After naming “traffic stress” as the root of asthma, skin and heart disease, Chakraborty listed the Dushta Chatushtayam — four of the deadliest diseases: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. The doctor also spoke about technology that is proving to be dangerous for health — for example, a new remote to control your television remote if it’s out of reach!

DO & DON’T

• Do drink green tea as it contains polyphenols, an antioxidant
• Do eat high sulphur foods like garlic, onion and asparagus
• Do have citrus fruits containing vitamin C
• Do have pineapples and peanuts, foods rich in vitamin E
• Do drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t eat too much junk food and drink too much coffee

HIGH RISK FOODS

An excess of these foods can lead to these diseases:

High fat diet: Obesity and breast cancer
Smoked food: Stomach cancer
Red meat: Colon cancer
Excessive spices: Oral cancer

KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE

Try the Filter Paper Test to figure out your skin type. Wash your face in the morning and don’t wash it for the next four hours. Divide tissue paper into five pieces — two for the cheeks and one each for the nose, forehead and chin. If the paper sticks, you have oily skin. If your skin feels rough, you have dry skin.