India Facing Dangerous Rise in Tobacco-Related Non-Lung Cancers

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India’s Hidden Tobacco Cancer Crisis: Doctors Warn of Surge in Non-Lung Cancers, Including Cases Among Teenagers

Bengaluru, May 29: Even as lung cancer continues to dominate public awareness around tobacco-related illnesses, oncologists and public health experts are cautioning that India is witnessing a sharp rise in several other aggressive cancers linked to tobacco use, many of which remain under-recognised.

Speaking ahead of World No Tobacco Day, specialists at Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru, said tobacco consumption is now associated with nearly 25 to 30 different forms of cancer, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder and liver. Doctors also expressed concern over a growing number of younger patients being diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers.

According to the experts, head and neck cancers have emerged as one of the most common tobacco-associated cancers in India after lung cancer, driven by both smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption.

The doctors revealed that they are increasingly encountering aggressive cancers among adolescents and young adults. They cited the recent treatment of a 16-year-old patient diagnosed with tobacco-linked head and neck cancer, calling it a disturbing indication of early tobacco exposure among youth.

Global cancer studies estimate that tobacco contributes to nearly one-third of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. India continues to carry one of the highest burdens of tobacco use, particularly smokeless tobacco, which significantly increases the risk of oral and head and neck cancers.

Dr. Radheshyam Naik, Founder, Medical Director and Head of Medical Oncology, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at Sammprada Hospital, said tobacco exposure was no longer confined to lung cancer alone.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of esophageal, pancreatic, bladder, stomach and liver cancers directly linked to tobacco use. Many of these cancers are detected at advanced stages and tend to be highly aggressive,” he said.

Dr. Naik added that the younger age at which people are initiating tobacco use is becoming a major public health concern.
“The case of a 16-year-old with tobacco-related head and neck cancer should be a wake-up call for parents, schools and policymakers,” he said.

Doctors noted that cancers associated with tobacco use are often more difficult to manage clinically. Dr. Vinod Ramani, Consultant in Cancer Prevention and Preventive Oncology at Sammprada Hospital, said tobacco users face higher risks of treatment complications, recurrence and even secondary cancers.

“Smoking affects wound healing after surgery, increases infection risks and can reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Outcomes are often poorer compared to patients without tobacco exposure,” he explained.

Highlighting the broader health impact of tobacco, Dr. P.S. Prabhakaran, former Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and former Director of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, said tobacco significantly damages the cardiovascular system as well.
“It raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and vascular complications. When cancer treatment is added to an already compromised system, the risks increase substantially,” he said.
Public health experts also warned against the widespread misconception that moderate tobacco use is relatively harmless.

Dr. K. Prabhakara Rao, a tobacco control expert, said there is effectively no safe level of tobacco exposure.
“The risks depend on the age at which tobacco use begins, the duration of use and the intensity of exposure. Early initiation substantially increases lifetime cancer risk,” he said.

Experts further pointed to the growing incidence of less-discussed tobacco-related cancers such as pancreatic, kidney and bladder cancers, as well as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, urging greater public awareness beyond the conventional focus on lung disease.

They called for stronger tobacco control measures, wider screening programmes and targeted interventions aimed at preventing tobacco initiation among young people.

“Many people still assume that avoiding lung disease means tobacco use is manageable. That assumption is dangerously misleading. Tobacco affects nearly every organ system and remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer,” Dr. Naik said.

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Italian Fashion Brand Carpisa Enters India with Bengaluru Flagship Launch

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Bengaluru, May 2026: Renowned Italian fashion accessories brand Carpisa has officially marked its entry into the Indian market with the launch of its first flagship store at Phoenix Marketcity Mall, Whitefield, Bengaluru. The expansion comes through a long-term licensing partnership between Naples-based Kuvera S.p.A. (Carpisa) and Neopolis Brands, with ambitious plans to establish over 100 stores across India in the coming years.

Globally recognised for its stylish handbags, luggage, travel accessories and small leather goods for both men and women, Carpisa is bringing its signature Italian design philosophy to one of the world’s fastest-growing fashion markets.

Speaking on the India launch, Carpisa Chief Executive Officer Maurizio Carlino described India as a strategic growth destination for the brand.
“India is an incredibly dynamic and high-potential market for Carpisa. We are proud to begin this journey with our first store in Bengaluru. The scale, energy and evolving consumer aspirations here make India a key pillar in our international growth roadmap. Our partnership with Neopolis Brands gives us immense confidence, thanks to their strong understanding of the Indian market and retail landscape,” he said.

The grand opening on May 28 was celebrated with an exclusive in-store soirée attended by acclaimed actor and fashion icon Sobhita Dhulipala, along with Mr. Giandomenico Milano, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru. The event also saw the presence of leading personalities from Bengaluru’s fashion, business and media circles.

Highlighting the growing cultural and creative exchange between Italy and India, Mr. Giandomenico Milano said Italian fashion and craftsmanship continue to resonate strongly with Indian consumers.

“Carpisa’s arrival in India is more than a business expansion. It reflects the growing appreciation for Italian design, creativity and craftsmanship among Indian audiences. It represents a meaningful cultural connection between our two countries,” he noted.

Actor Sobhita Dhulipala, who collaborated with the brand for the launch, said Carpisa’s blend of global quality and accessible pricing makes it highly relevant for the Indian market.

“Carpisa carries a strong Italian design legacy while offering versatile and contemporary collections. The balance between premium international quality and affordability makes the brand especially attractive for Indian consumers,” she shared.

In India, Carpisa’s women’s handbags will be priced between ₹4,000 and ₹6,000, while Gen Z-focused sling bags are expected to retail between ₹3,000 and ₹4,000.

Neopolis Brands is introducing Carpisa in Bengaluru through an omni-channel retail strategy. Alongside the flagship store at Phoenix Marketcity Mall, the brand will also be available through shop-in-shop formats at Shoppers Stop outlets, including Bannerghatta Road, as well as a pop-up store at Brigade Orion Mall, Rajajinagar.

The collection will simultaneously be launched online through the brand’s official website and leading e-commerce platforms such as Myntra, Nykaa and Tata Cliq, underlining the growing importance of digital fashion retail among young Indian consumers.

Emphasising the long-term growth potential of the category, Shailesh Chaturvedi, Chairman of Neopolis Brands, said the partnership presents a strong opportunity in India’s rapidly expanding handbag and travel accessories market.

“India has a massive addressable market in handbags, accessories and travel products, but the organised premium segment still remains underpenetrated. Carpisa has the potential to become another major international success story in India,” he stated.

The Bengaluru flagship marks the beginning of Carpisa’s larger India expansion strategy, with plans to strengthen its presence across major metropolitan cities in the near future.

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Bengaluru Doctors Achieve Breakthrough in High-Risk Heart Valve Treatment

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Narayana Health has announced a major breakthrough in cardiac care with doctors at Narayana Health City successfully performing India’s first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for pure native aortic regurgitation using a dedicated TAVR device.
narayanahealth.org

The procedure was led by Dr. Suraj Narasimhan on two elderly patients aged 80 and 69, both of whom were considered high-risk candidates for conventional open-heart surgery due to age and associated medical conditions.

Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the heart. Unlike aortic stenosis, where calcium deposits help anchor replacement valves, pure aortic regurgitation lacks calcification, making transcatheter treatment technically challenging. This limitation had long prevented minimally invasive solutions for such patients.

To address this, the hospital imported the specialised HANCHOR valve system after obtaining special government approval. The device is specifically designed for patients with pure aortic regurgitation and enables secure valve implantation even without calcified structures.

The minimally invasive procedures were performed through the femoral artery without any surgical incision and were completed within 45 to 60 minutes. Both patients recovered well and were discharged within 48 hours.

Doctors said the development could significantly improve treatment options for elderly patients who are often denied surgery because of high operative risk. Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences has so far performed more than 750 TAVI/TAVR procedures, among the highest numbers in the country, reflecting the growing demand for minimally invasive heart valve interventions in India.

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Adhika Masa Rituals Draw Devotees at Nanjangud Raghavendra Mata in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru: Special religious rituals were conducted on Tuesday at the Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamigala Mata located in Jayanagar 5th Block as part of the observance of Adhika Masa.

The programmes were organised under the guidance and blessings of Paramapoojya 1008 Sri Sri Sri Subudhendra Theertha Sripadangalavaru, the present Peethadhipathi of Jagadguru Sriman Madhwacharya’s Moola Maha Samsthana, Nanjangud Sri Raghavendra Swamigala Mata.

As part of the special rituals, Narasimha Mantra Homa was performed for Ishtartha Siddhi (fulfilment of devotees’ wishes), followed by bhajane and other devotional programmes in the presence of devotees.

A large number of devotees participated in the religious events and received blessings on the auspicious occasion of Adhika Masa, informed senior manager R.K. Vadindra Acharya.

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Airtel Launches ‘Priority Postpaid’ to Deliver Seamless 5G Experience

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India’s leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel has launched “Airtel Priority Postpaid,” a new service aimed at delivering a smoother and more reliable mobile network experience in crowded and high-traffic locations.

Announcing the launch, Airtel India Managing Director and CEO Shashwat Sharma said the initiative was introduced in response to customer feedback about difficulties in making video calls, downloading emails and uploading photos in congested areas such as markets, traffic junctions and public events.

The company stated that the new Priority Postpaid service is powered by an advanced 5G network technology known as “network slicing.” The technology is designed to enhance network efficiency and ensure more stable connectivity for postpaid users, even during periods of heavy network congestion.

According to Airtel, network slicing has already been introduced in several Western countries, and the company is now bringing the capability to customers in India through its upgraded 5G Stand Alone (SA) network.

The telecom provider said the Priority Postpaid feature will be available across all Airtel postpaid plans. Existing postpaid customers will receive the benefit automatically, while prepaid users can upgrade to postpaid through the Airtel Thanks app or by visiting the nearest Airtel store.

To access the service, customers must use a 5G Stand Alone-enabled smartphone with the latest software update installed. Airtel also noted that users can check their device compatibility and readiness for the Priority service through the Airtel app.

The company said the initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to improve customer experience and strengthen next-generation mobile connectivity across the country.

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